Chapter 159

Dallin was still staring at the ceiling, eyes slitted and mouth gone flat. "And how is this *your* price?"

Leave it to sharp, shrewd Constable Brayden to cut right to the heart of it all.

"Another Guardian would be Chosen." Wil opened his mouth to say more, but it dried in his throat, because he'd rather said it all, hadn't he? What more was there to say?

"Ah." Dallin smiled, though it was hard and rather cold. Finally he looked at Wil, though Wil wished he hadn't. Dallin's eyes were blazing rage at him like a physical blow. "And whose idea was this?"

It was strange how a tone so gentle could still be altogether lethal.

Wil was meant to back down and cower; he was sure that was the result that look usually got. Except he couldn't--not only couldn't but wouldn't.