Corliss hisses. "Is there no low that man won't sink to in order to subvert my will?"
You give her a questioning look. She's rattled—you hadn't expected that. "Are you saying there's some truth to what he said?"
"Of course not, childe," Corliss snaps. "Trying to recruit my childer is bad enough, but now you're doubting my word too? After all I've done for you?"
You think it best to back off for now. She's getting too upset in front of the Archon, and that won't be good for either of you.
"Of course not, Corliss," you reply quickly.
"You need to get your house in order, Eden," Adeline says. "If Arundel does not return, you may well rise to take his place when all is said and done. Ottawa has a long and sordid history of weak Princes who barely last a few decades in power. It would be a shame if you were to find your name among theirs. I trust I'll have unrestricted access to your resources until the Anarch situation has been dealt with?"
"Of course."
"Then I believe we're done here," Adeline says abruptly. She stands and picks up a pork pie hat from beside the chair. It doesn't fit at all with her formal attire, and she doesn't put it on, but the way she handles the worn black fabric speaks to familiarity and comfort. "It will be good to get back on the streets again," she says. "Formalities bore me, Eden. Next time, we'll meet on my terms."
The Archon eyes you critically. "If you're going to carry a weapon like that in a workplace, Agad the Imperishable, at least learn to conceal it better. A poorly concealed handgun doesn't necessarily break our codes of conduct, but it could very well attract the attention of the mortal authorities. I'm here to put fires out, not fuel them. Next time, choose to be more discreet." She opens the door and shoos away Corliss's few remaining hopeful business associates, disappearing from view as the heavy wooden door swings closed.
Next