Page 37 of Undone
“That is not necessary, Bahntan.”
He looked at her now. “Is it not? I will say what is necessary.”
“It is not safe.” She gave me a snarly look, as if I was planning to assassinate him.
“I can overpower this female both physically and mentally, so what is it that you are doubting, Vahni?” he asked. “My willpower? My allegiance?”
“Perhaps both,” she muttered, chin high.
He fully turned to her so quickly, I got temporary whiplash. And then I was thoroughly confused when he began to talk to her and it sounded like a mix of garbled words and hissing. I realized with horror that he was speaking to her in Baelese.
I’d never heard anything so creepy.
It only got worse as the two of them squared off, his voice sharp, and her eyes bulging as she went off on him.
The last thing he said made her mouth drop open on a silent gasp.
“You have pushed my hand,” the Senator told her, switching back to English with polite strength.
“You would do that?” she asked. “Over ahuman?”
His tone strengthened further. “Not over a human. Over your continued insubordinance of my role.” They faced off at arm’s length, and I’d never wanted so badly to slink away from a conversation. “I have already spoken to the board, and they agreed you were to be given one last chance.”
“It is my place to advise you—”
“To advise, not to overrule me at every turn. Your second chance has come and gone.”
“Bahntan,please.”
“My word is final. It is beneath you to beg. Gather your belongings.”
She stared, and I swear there was something like a promise of revenge in her eyes before she turned from him as dramatically and jerkily as a tween having a tantrum, stomping away. He signaled for a guard to follow her. My heart was in my throat as the Senator pivoted back to me, frowning. He didn’t speak until she was gone.
“I apologize that you had to witness that.”
I probably shouldn’t have asked anything, but . . .”You’re not going to, um . . .”
“She will not be killed,” he told me.
Well, that was unfortunate. I let out a breath and cocked my head like I was trying to understand their culture. “So, just fired?”
“Restationed. She needs to be in a leadership position, and the East is in need of her skills.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling relieved that the biggest witch of the west would now be gone, though I felt sorry for the east.
“It’s not your fault,” he said, as if he thought I felt bad. Ha!
I stared down at my twined fingers, biting my lip a few seconds before looking up.
“Do you find me to be a cruel leader?” he asked.
My mouth opened in surprise. “No. I thought you handled that well. You can’t have someone constantly undermining you.” As far as leaders go, he seemed good to his people. As far as enemies go, though, he’d definitely been cruel to humans. I couldn’t let myself forget that.
He nodded, thoughtful. “Let us take that walk now.”
My stomach jumped nervously as he started toward the door with me at a safe distance behind. I glanced back to see all the children diligently working. I followed the Senator through the building. He stopped at one room, and opened the door, letting a group of soldiers know where he would be. A few of them glanced at me with curiosity. I kept my fingers clasped as they spoke, and I tried to peek into the room.
On a desk was one of those huge desk calendars open to July. The third week had a dark line drawn through it.
