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With a sigh of regret and a mental proreat hall, rather proud of ed to find it with only one or trong turns--though I ended up coh some sort of antechamber instead of the main corridor My steps slowed as I entered and saw that Rhyzkahl was far from alone A slih, Kadir were at the base of the right staircase, while Rhyzkahl stood in the center of the hall with Amkir, apparently in deep conversation

I dawdled near the door through which I’d entered, since I didn’t want to interrupt, and I sure as hell didn’t want to make some sort of stupid social error I tried to tell ave me a chance to see what I could of the other lords, but the drawback to that was they could do the saaze slid to me like an oily touch, and I carefully avoided any eye contact

Thankfully it was only a few seconds before Rhyzkahl looked estured me over Amkir turned and watched as I approached, dark eyes keen upon ard unnerved me, but I did my best not to show it

"Kara Gillian," Rhyzkahl stated in a formal tone "You are honored by the presence of Lord Amkir"

I turned my attention to Amkir, fairly sure that his eyes hadn’t leftthere was some sort of protocol I was expected to follow, but since I was basically clueless I had to hope I could ht bow "It is indeed my honor to meet you, Lord A my worth "Kri," he murmured, then curled his lip and said another word I didn’t quite catch, though judging from tone and inflection, it probably wasn’t a colance to Rhyzkahl in hopes that he would either translate or intervene, but he looked away as Jesral called out solanced back at Amkir "I will return" Then he strode off toward Jesral without another word

Shit I really didn’t want to stay here, but even without knowing specific protocols, I had no doubt that ditching this lord would be considered pretty da myself that I’d been in plenty of social situations where I had to talk to someone hom I wasn’t totally co on He’d yet to say a word to lish, and I wasn’t about to start a conversation

"Make yourself useful," he abruptly said, eyes fiery and face hard "Bring aze toward a table by the wall Wine and glasses were there, as well as a faas perfectly ready to serve as needed

I kept my face as immobile as possible Rhyzkahl was still deep in conversation with his back to me, so there was no hope of rescue from that quarter Fine then I had no desire tofor a few ht nod and smile, then turned and headed for the wine I poured quickly and returned at a brisk walk, though not froet this shit over with

"Your wine, Lord Alass out for hilass from me "You dare offer me that which you have touched?" His lip curled in revulsion "Pour again and do so properly," he ordered His right hand twitched as if he was barely holding hi me for my affront

I took two steps back from him, just in case, then turned and went back to the daah to callass I poured again, this tilanced my way and seemed intent on his discussion with Jesral, but by this point I’d decided that I’d give Ao wait somewhere else Because this was bullshit

"Chikdah," heelse that probably was not Thank you, oh so e to know that "chikdah"Yeah, this asshole was a regular sweetheart

Too late, I rehts Alass from my hand Before I had time to even flinch, he threw the wine in asped in shock "Are you fucking kidding oddamn issue, asshole?" Instantly, I knew my response was a mistake It was as if I watched the words come out of my mouth in slow motion, completely unable to stop the torrential flow

Ahtning speed he lifted a hand and open-hand slappedEven as I reeled back he stepped toward me, hand raised for another strike I lashed out at hi back aardly…

…and I suddenly realized that I hadn’t actually touched hih and over me as I faced Alowy and all, but I wasn’t about to stop and check myself out in the nearest mirror

Black fury filled A writhing whips coalesced in one fist as he regained his footing, and I had no doubt he intended to putin demon I couldn’t understand the word, yet I had a sense of the rove power Hold or so close to it But A, he drew back his hand and lashed the whips of potency toward led to form the power I held into some sort of block or shield RhyzkahlArazedlike crazy Rhyzkahl snarled soist of which seemed to be "stand down"