Page 90 of Queen of Volts

“As one of those so-called criminals,” Grace said, clearing her throat, “I can assure you that Enne has changed since she’s been courting Levi. They’re both quite...reformed.”

Enne kicked her under the table. She was hardly some helpless woman who only needed a man’s strong hands to guide her.

“Though I’m sure your word is...inscrutable,” the Chancellor said dryly, eyeing Grace’s display of cleavage. She reached into the folder in front of her and slipped out a packet of papers. “You’ll understand that your criminal organization will have to disband immediately, and that our contract is contingent on a number of conditions should we agree to proceed.”

“Can I see it?” Enne asked, taking it nervously from the Chancellor’s hands.

Prohibited from any public practice or acknowledgment of the Faith.

Prohibited from voicing public opinion on matters of politics, including but not limited to candidates for election, legislation, political parties...

Enne scanned through the lengthy list of demands—three pages long, single-spaced—until she paused on one in particular.

Prohibited from continuing a relationship of any kind—romantic or otherwise—with Levi Glaisyer.

“You can’t be serious,” Enne growled. “What? I’m never supposed to speak to Levi again?”

“It’s curious that you voice a concern over that contingency first,” the Chancellor spoke, “when your public courtship is so obviously fictitious.”

“Let me see that,” Levi said, tearing the paper from Enne’s hands. His eyes widened as he read it. “You can’t do this. You can’t—”

“Youare an orb-maker, andyouare a Mizer. There are too many implications. The Senate and I cannot allow it to continue.”

Enne had moments ago considered the thought of strangling Levi, but now she met his eyes across the table, his own horrified expression mirroring her own. He had been the first person she’d met in New Reynes. Her friend. Her confidant. Her partner.

“The p-public supports us,” Levi managed shakily. “This will infuriate them.”

“Which is why you’re going to stage a falling-out. A display as loud and indecent and public as the two of you have now become so known for.”

Harrison cleared his throat. “Surely, this contract can be negotiated—”

“Do not let your own past cloud your judgment, Harrison,” the Chancellor snapped. “Every one of these stipulations was written with the safety of the Republic in mind.”

A well of emotions spouted in Enne, and she grasped the edge of the conference table to steady herself. She’d thought she’d entered this meeting from a position of power, but she felt helpless. And as much as she loathed the spread onThe Kiss & Tell, she’d be far more humiliated to burst into tears in front of Fenice.

Grace, seeming to sense her distress, grabbed Enne by the hand. “We need a moment to discuss this, if you don’t mind.” With her other hand, she grabbed a fistful of Levi’s collar and wrenched him up. “You, too, Pup.”

Enne took deep, calming breaths as they walked into the hallway and closed the door behind them. The servicemen still watched, and so the three made sure to lower their voices to a whisper.

“You can’t sign this,” Grace said. “It’s not even just about Pup. There are so many demands that you’re bound to make a mistake eventually, even by accident. This is just an excuse to catch you slipping up later.”

“Then what do you propose we do?” Levi hissed, his arms crossed. “We’ve been trying to negotiate for months for this offer, and now we have it. And we might not get another.”

Enne’s mouth fell open. “Are you honestly considering this?”

“I don’t like it,” he said quickly. “But it could be easier for us. What if, say, new information about you were to come to light and—”

“Easier?”she gritted out, loud enough for the servicemen to overhear.

“A lot has happened over the past few months. It’s messy. And besides, it means ensuring your safety.” Levi opened his mouth like he wanted to add something else, but then his eyes flickered to the guards watching them, and he swallowed.

“You heard what Grace said. This is its own prison sentence!” Enne wadded the contract in her fist.

“All I’m saying is that if youcannegotiate, our relationship shouldn’t be your first priority.” Levi bit his lip, and Enne hated how that only reminded her of kissing him. “They want access to your bank accounts and purchases for the rest of your life. They’ve forbidden you from a single show of political demonstration, even to be caught in traffic behind one—”

“Is that what you’d prefer, then?” Enne demanded. “That we never see each other again?”

He peeked over his shoulder at the servicemen, then he put a hand on Enne’s shoulder and tried to steer her a few steps back. She swatted him away. He didnotget to touch her.