Page 59

I lean into Des. “I smell like death. Why do I smell like death?”

“Janus is burning bodies, remember?” As the Bargainer speaks, a small smile pulls at the corners of his lips.

Oh, yeah.

I subtly sniff myself again. Ew, I don’t just smell like death—I smell like a corpse screwed a trash can and it didn’t end well.

Des’s lips quirk.

“Did I just say that out loud?”

He glances down at me, his expression mirthful. “You did.”

“Ugh,” I whine. “Why do I keep saying everything I think?”

I mean, my filter isn’t the best on any given day, but this is just ridiculous.

“Callie, that dark green alcohol was aelerium liquor—it compels you to tell the truth. Or in your case … tell the world each and every little thought that crosses your mind.”

Wait—what?

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I’m sorry, when did I ever give you the impression I was forthcoming with information?”

I lean my forehead against Des’s arm and let out another groan.

“How long have I been speaking my mind?”

“Just during the tail end of the meeting.”

I don’t know what constitutes the tail end of that long-ass discussion, but the longer it dragged on, the more inappropriate my thoughts became.

“So Janus knows I was sweating so much I was worried I’d leave a butt imprint on his chair?”

“Yep.”

“And that I needed to pee really, really badly?”

“Yep.”

“And that I wanted to bang you?”

“Now, cherub, that one’s just a given.”

I howl.

“Why didn’t yousayanything?” I whine as Des leads me through the castle.

“We went over this already.”

“You drank it too,” I accuse him. “Why aren’t you spilling your guts?”

“Because I stopped at one drink.”

Unlike me.

“It’s a sign of good faith to drink aelerium liquor during times of trouble,” Des continues.