Blatant Refusal

His voice was so cold that it could freeze the room. When she didn't answer him, he walked to her and stood right behind her. Lifting her hand with his towards Gladys, he repeated his question, "Are you afraid to injure this body of yours?" 

Maeve didn't know what to answer as uneasiness surged through her. She licked her lips and glanced at Gladys. She was already terribly drugged. She had lowered her head and was swaying slightly. She had to buy time. "I know that I will be leaving this body eventually, but every time I perform magic, it hurts a lot!" Moreover, Ailill was supposed to come to her a day before the ritual. She had to keep her body intact for him. Right after the ritual, she was going to kill Lazarus. 

"Do you mean that you will not allow Gladys to speak? Now that is very suspicious, Maeve. Were you and Gladys working in cahoots?" Lazarus said, maintaining the same frigidness in his voice.