Page 90 of Emperor of Corruption

“Don’t waste my time with questions you already know the answers to,” Carter replies, sounding one part bored and two parts annoyed.

“Very well. Why are the two on speaking terms if they’re such rivals?”

“There’s no realrivalrybetweenthem. Killian outranks Silas in every way that counts—sans the massive inheritance that Silas already managed to waste. And, presently, theyaren’ton speaking terms.” Carter pauses to consider me. “Why do you ask?”

I shrug. “Curiosity.”

“Don’t they say curiosity skinned the cat?”

“I think the saying iskilled.”

Carter grins. “But skinning is so much more satisfying than killing. One is over in an instant. With the other, you get to enjoy the sweet sound of your victim’s cries.”

I swallow, gazing at Carter in a new light. “Stay away from Annalise.”

“No.” Carter stands. “She and I have unfinished business.” With that cryptic statement, he leaves.

Chapter Thirty-Three

After Killian’s fallen asleep that night, I sneak into the living room with my laptop in hand. I can’t do any serious digging on this device, but I can look up surface-level things. They’ll raise alarms if Killian sees them, sure, but it’ll be nothing out of the ordinary for a journalist’s background.

To cover my tracks, I start out by searching up the Prime Minister’s wife, and then Carter Black. After scrolling through meaningless articles for a while, I finally move onto Silas Cornell.

His image online is polished and pristine; there are no articles regarding his misdeeds, which means he pays someone well to keep him looking clean and sparkly. I’m just scanning an article on his charitable pursuits when I hear footsteps behind me, announcing Killian’s presence. I close out my tab and turn to face him, doing my best to look innocent.

“Late night research?” Killian queries, a strange note of flatness in his voice. There’s a charge of fury in the air, though, telling me that he glimpsed what I was looking at, and he’spissedabout it.

Why?

“In your words, you can’t blame a tiger for its stripes, or a wolf for its teeth.”

“You’re not a wolf.” Killian fists my hairpainfully, wrenching my head back. I cry out, startled and frightened, reaching back to clutch his wrist. “You’re an ant.” He stands me up, maneuvering me to face him.

Why is he so upset?I was only doing a little light research—what is his fucking problem?

“Already looking up your next prospect?” Killian questions drily. “You know you’ll be done with me soon, so you’re looking for your next mark.”

“What?” I squeak. Holy fuck, is he acting like this because he’sjealous?“Killian, I don’t—”

“Shut up,” he hisses. “You aremine,Lyra. Once I’m done with you, there will be little left for others to covet. You willnotlook in my circles for another patron—”

“You’re acting insane!” I squeal, genuine fear clawing its way up my throat.

“Insane?” he repeats with a chuckle. He blinks a few times, shaking his head. “Maybe I am. Maybeyou’remaking me that way.” His jaw tightens. “Apologize.”

“Forwhat?”

“For researching another man while you’re supposed to be inmybed, waiting to takemycock.”

“Killian, youknowthat’s not what I’m doing. I’m researching him for myjob. I have no interest in staying in your circles any longer than absolutely necessary. I can’twaitto get away from this world—”

“Can’t wait, hmm?” he asks.

Fuck,that was the wrong thing to say. Something about me looking up Silas is making Killian crazy, and threatening to leave will only provoke him more.

Bad move, Lyra.

“Can’t fuckingwait?” he repeats, his words a haunting whisper.