Page 95 of Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World

“Cynical? Depressing?”

“I was going to say, infuriating.”

She looked faintly amused. “Indeed.” Pausing for a beat, she added very quietly, “Management, too, may see us as expendable, Colin, but at least in Dark Enterprises we can do something about it. There are no limits here to how high you can climb. You just have to be willing to take what you want.”

“Which brings me to why I’m here.” I hefted the Black Blade. “Let’s make a deal. I give this to you so you can present it to Management. They get their essence, and you get a sweet bonus this quarter.”

“And in return?”

“You promote me to middle management.”

“Why would I do that,” she asked curiously, “when I could simply take the knife from you?”

“Because if you try, I’ll destroy it right here in your office.” Delicately, I pressed the blade against the beveled edge of her glass desk. “It might be capable of absorbing an Abomination, but it’s just old, brittle metal. I’ve already seen it break once. It wouldn’t take much more pressure than this to shatter it entirely.”

The skin around her eyes tightened. “You would be the first to die, Colin.”

I smiled. “Actually, I won’t. I’m covered in some seriously powerful protective magicks designed by the Seraphic Conclave. It’s a funny story, actually, involving an ill-advised picnic in Central Park and a purloined spoon covered in my DNA.”

Ms.Crenshaw said nothing.

“Dark Enterprises has taught me that everything comes at a price. So here’s mine.” I lifted my other hand and started counting off on my fingers. “First, you promote me to middle management, effective immediately. Second, you do the same with Lex Kaminski, currently employed in the Repository.” Lex would absolutely hate that. I couldn’t wait to tell them. “Third, you provide Amira Davis with full amnesty from company reprisal. She’s promised to keep what she knows about Dark Enterprises to herself.”

“You violated your NDA when you revealed our existence to Ms.Davis. That makes her a fair target for reprisal.”

“Technically, Amira learned of our existence by reading sanctioned company materials. She was then recruited as an outside consultant.” I tapped my copy of DE’s policies. “I can read you the relevant sections that outline what’s permitted to consultants. There’s a surprising amount of leeway.” When Ms.Crenshaw remained silent, I added, “Amira was also instrumental in saving the world, in case that bears repeating.”

“It does not,” she said crisply, “but I will take it under consideration. Do you have any other terms?”

“Only one: that you leave Eric Cho alone.”

Her mouth curled in a sardonic little twist. “Do you really think there’s a future with your noble knight?” she asked mockingly. “He’ll destroy you eventually. That’s all the Conclave knows how to do.”

I held her gaze. “You let me worry about that.”

Neither of us moved for a long time. When she spoke at last, her voice was soft. “I said once that you have ambition, Colin. It would seem you now have the ability to realize it.”

I waited, hardly daring to breathe.

For only the second time in our brief acquaintance, Ms.Crenshaw smiled. “I accept your terms. Let’s hope you don’t live to regret it.” Holding out a hand for the knife, she added, “Go and find that young man you frightened. We need someone to fetch our coffee.”