Mistress Katha |work| -

鈥淵ou will not get it. Not for money. Not for threats. Not for charm.鈥� She tilted her head. 鈥淏ut I will give you something else. A lesson. The price is one question. Any question. But you must answer mine first.鈥�

Not hurt . Not expose . Destroy.

I stood. She did not extend her hand. Did not say goodbye. mistress katha

She leaned down, close enough that I could see the fine lines at the corners of her mouth. 鈥淲hy do you really want to destroy him?鈥� 鈥淵ou will not get it

I opened my mouth to lie. The lie died on my tongue. Under that gaze, lies felt like wearing wet wool. Not for charm

She paused.

Mistress Katha straightened. For the first time, something moved behind her eyes鈥攏ot pity. Recognition.