Morgan

Pippa did not want to be with the Master of the Lost in the least, but there was no way she couldn't get away without seeming terribly rude. When she was with Morgan, people made way for her for the first time in her life. Some mumbled greetings or nodded politely, but for the most part, she was isolated amid the merriment with someone she did not trust at all.

Morgan hadn't spoken yet, and when Pippa dared to glance at her, her expression was unreadable.

Across the area, she saw Judah and Naomi dancing. Pippa was struck by how natural they looked together. Before, Judah had seemed nervous, but now he was at ease, holding a laughing Naomi in a way that made Pippa feel as though she was intruding on something private.

"They do look well together," Morgan said, startling her. "Did Judah tell you that he and I had a little fling a few years back?"

"You?" The word tumbled out unbidden. Morgan laughed.

"Yes, that's far in the past, sadly," the Master said. "Naomi will be far easier to handle."

They were closer to the fire, the heat burning Pippa's face. She couldn't imagin Judah and Morgan together in a million years.

"Now, let's get to busness," Morgan said. "You saw Angelica, yes?"

Pippa nodded. She felt a severe desire to escape.

"She does not like me at all, to put it mildly. To be more accurate, she wants my blood. She think I owe her something."

Pippa said nothing.

"She wants payback for the matter of me killing three of her kids," Morgan said, so abruptly that Pippa stopped dead in her tracks. "It's her own fault. She doesn't respect me, and she's never gotten the message that she needs to." Morgan put her hand on Pippa's shoulder, and she had to fight not to run away. "You see, Philppa, people like Judah and Angelica never give me enough respect. They think I owe them something, but let me tell you, new girl," Morgan's pleasant tones dropped away as she turned to look Pippa in the eyes, her own eyes frightful to behold, "I am in charge. I'm the Master, the top of the food chain. If Angelica, Judah, or even you, Philippa, ever cross me, I will crush you."

Pippa looked away from Morgan's face as the Master looked out over the Gathering.

"I'll crush all of you."