The Cursed Deal

Elara stilled. She was not sure if she was breathing anymore or not. Her heart was caught in her throat as she slowly turned to look at him.

"He is blackmailing you. Is he not?" The smirk he gave her showed that he knew more than she could fathom. But was Count blackmailing her? No! Not until now. He was her ally. She steals the secrets of the criminal and he finds them, catches them, and punishes them.

She gets satisfaction from the deal and he gets publicity, respect, and popularity. He even paid her when the case ended which was a perk in her eyes. It was a good deal. Until she had touched people she should not. 

Cedric looked at her fear-filled eyes and her frozen body and took it as embarrassment and silent acceptance