---- 234.


    DANGEROUS TREATMENT SIGRID He straightened up from his leaning position, one eyebrow raised, giving me a once-overI couldve sworn, even with disgust.


    "You can sleep easy, I dont have the slightest interest in you." The way he said it, so direct and knowing his future, convinced me even more.


    "Did you bring what I want?" I asked, watching as he finally pulled out the runes from his pocket, the ones I needed to assemble the artifact.


    I actually had everything else, that was the only thing missing.


    "Here are your pearls," I said, taking off the ne I wore around my neck, where I''d cleverly hidden them before the fight.


    On the count of three, we make the exchange." He nodded, stepping closer, one step at a time.


    "One...


    two..." I stared at his hand, waiting to see if he''d pull some trick.


    "Three!" I snatched the rune map from him while he quickly grabbed the pearls.


    We both sighed, having achieved our goals.


    "Pll get dressed and leave.


    Pleasure doing business with you," I told him, though honestly, I didnt think he could help me much with my mission.


    ---- I didnt like that the ds were conspiring with Lucrecia.


    I didnt know how fate would twist things, but I wasnt here to fix everyone''s lifejust to save one man, aman I had no clue how to approach.


    "Actually, I''d like to ask you a personal favor." Oh, great, now hes being all formal.


    1 froze, turning to face him again.


    Tall, ck hair, red pupilsthe very image of elegant danger.


    He reminded me of Zarek, though the dark prince had a different kind of beauty...


    more bloodthirsty.


    "Pm all ears." "pretend you''re my chosen fiancée." "What?" My mouth literally dropped open.


    "Tneed my parents to stop trying to find me a match.


    I need a stand -in...


    time, and you can help me buy some." Time? For what? The more he exined, the crazier it sounded.


    But at the same time, I was weaving my own ns and calctions.


    "What do I get out of pretending to be your fiancée?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest with an air of defiance.


    Lucrecia SilverI see how you look at her.


    You want to destroy her.


    But its very difficult for a De Croix to be in the same circle ---- as Lucrecia and attack her.


    However, if you partner with me, I can get you into more...


    private parties, where you''ll have the chance to cross paths."