A Special Arrangement

"What do you mean?" Marianne clutched to her chest and slowly took steps backward.

'I haven't done anything yet. She's already backing out.' Athan narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you here then? In this cold, ruthless dungeon of hers with my one and only familiar, no less?" He looked around again and then went to the spare chair for him to sit with comfort.

"Her Grace, Lady Mystique, issued an emergency meeting."

A twitch from the corner of his lips came while he kept his gaze. 'Is it about me? I shall take this opportunity then.'

"I see." Athan rubbed his chin as he tried to give it a thought. "Rest assured. I'm capable enough to help you, even more than she could."

"...How can I trust you?"

It was time to lay out the cards on the table.

"How's your performance going?"

Just from a simple probe had her aquamarine eyes glistened. Her reaction had his scalp tingle in excitement—swarming over him from a spot-on response.