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“Of a sort. You’ll find The Corporation has many tools at its disposal.”
“Like you?” I asked, flashing a sugary smile.
We sat. His smile was still intact; it seemed as permanent a feature as his ears or eyebrows.
Leaning back in his chair, he brought his cup to his lips. “Unless someone in this room is a lip reader, we’re good to go.”
I sniffed my cup for any evidence of poisons or potions.
Mathis noticed. “I wouldn’t dream of drugging you, Miss Clay. It would serve no purpose.”
I took a sip. Delicious, as always. The barista knew what she was doing.
“I’ll let you start,” I said.
“Have you given any thought to my offer? Any loved ones you’d like to be reacquainted with? Any favors to ask of us at all?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
His eyes hardened. He didn’t seem to like that answer. “You have no reason to harbor Aite, and we have every reason to want her returned to us. It seems like an easy decision to me. Why do you insist on being stubborn?”
“Are you sure you’re the smooth-talking god? Because that sounded more like the god of frustration.”
He scowled.
“Even if I controlled this Aite or could influence her decisions,” I continued, “why would I send her back to an organization she fled?”
“Would you not return an escaped convict to the prison they broke free from?”
“It depends. If it’s Andy Dufresne, no. I most certainly would not. If it’s Charles Manson, then yes.”
Mathis drew a blank. “I’m unfamiliar with these names.”
“Forget it. The point is, I’m not sending her anywhere she doesn’t want to go. If you want her, you’ll have to find another way to get her.”
His smile broadened. “Then you admit that you have her.”
So much for learning chess from grandmaster Otto Visconti. Back to checkers for me.
My opponent slotted his fingers together on the table. A chunky ring with The Corporation logo adorned his pinky. “From a corporate perspective, I find this immensely frustrating. From a personal perspective, however, I must admit I find your position fascinating. Why protect her? According to our records, you had no interaction with her prior to recent events.”
“And she tried to offer me to you as a bargaining chip. I know. I heard you the first time.”
His eyebrow stretched. “And yet?”
“She’s one lone woman, loosely speaking.”
“And I’m one lone man.”
“No, you’re the chosen representative of an evil corporation.”
His chuckle sounded more patronizing than endearing. “You seem to have us confused with the baddies.”
“Are you trying to persuade me that you’re the good guys?”
“Of course we are. The Corporation protects humanity from off-leash gods and monsters, like Aite. You have no idea what she’s capable of.”
Off leash. Another term usually reserved for animals. “If she’s so dangerous, then why did you employ her?”
