“Thereisno replacing Brant.”
“I know,” ze says simply. “But Catalina is bored and she’s stirring up trouble. I don’t think she means to, but she’s putting some people ill at ease with her presence.”
“You’re not suggesting she’s in danger.” I narrow my eyes. “Harming the human means harming the territory.” Why is my heart racing right now? Foolish question. It’s because the price of failure is so high. It has nothing to do with the idea of Catalina being harmed because of my negligence. “But I hear your concern, and I will heed it. Where is she now?”
“The kitchen.”
Why in Goddess’s name is she in thekitchen?I don’t voice the question. Embry already seems agitated enough without it seeming like I’m accusing zir of something. “Let’s go.”
We make it there in short order. The kitchen is one of the rooms above water for obvious reasons. Our ancestors may have existed on raw fish they hunted themselves, but my people have more varied tastes now.
I pause in the doorway and take in the disaster before me. Catalina is trying to chop... something. Whatever it started as, it’s now mush on her board. Her face is bright red with embarrassment as the line chef, Henryk, lectures her with increasing irritation. He’s a new hire but was renowned for his skill, and I have yet to see any evidence to contradict that, though the few times we’ve interacted have left a poor taste in my mouth.
Perhaps we should come back at a later time.
I don’t think Catalina would want anyone to witness this, and I find myself reluctant to cause her further distress. Or would it be better to step in and put a stop to Henryk...
Even as the thought crosses my mind, his voice raises. “You’reworthless.” He waves the knife at her. Too close. Too fucking close. “Get out of my kitchen before I gut you where you stand.”
I don’t make a decision to move. I hear Embry’s sharp inhale behind me, and then I’m between Henryk and Catalina. “Put the knife down. Now.” Hethreatenedher. Pointed that blade at her fragile body and said he wanted to gut her. “Or I will put it down for you.” I don’t sound like myself. I sound like I want to rip his throat out with my teeth.
It’s not inaccurate.
He backs up immediately, his tentacles tight to his body in fear. “Thane. I didn’t know you were—”
“That should make no difference,” I snarl. “Embry, have the guards get him out of here. Permanently.”
“Wait, no!”
I ignore his pleas and turn to Catalina. “Go to your room and gather your things. We’re leaving.”
She’s gone pale, her eyes too big on her face. “Um.”
“Now, Catalina.”
“Right. Okay. Sure.” She backs up and then she’s gone, darting out the door. I’ve scared her, but I can’t think clearly enough to slow down.
The guards appear within minutes, and Embry manages the situation with far more grace and patience than I am capable of at the moment. I have to concentrate on holding perfectly still, on keeping my breathing slow and even when all I want to do is pick up that damned knife and...
Embry crosses to me but doesn’t touch me. Smart of zir. I am shaking. Why am I shaking? “He’ll be escorted from the keep. It’s over.”
“He threatened to gut her.”
“Yes, I heard.”
Ze doesn’t sound particularly bothered by that, but I can’t tell if it’s because ze is trying to calm me or because ze honestly doesn’t care that Catalina was in imminent danger. Surely it’s not the latter. Except I can’t be sure. “We’re leaving.”
“Thane.” Embry sighs. “That’s an extreme solution to a temporary problem.”
“No, it’s really not. There are too many people here, and we cannot properly control them. Catalina is a person who incites strong emotions.” I know that all too well. “If someone harms her, the entire territory will pay the price.”
“Uh-huh.” Embry props zir hands on zir hips. “And this has nothing to do with you being scared because she was in danger. It’s only the territory.”
“Of course.” It feels like a lie, but I power through all the same. “I’m taking her to the tower.”
Instead of looking reassured, Embry looks more concerned. “Thane, you have exactly two people on staff.”
“Two people who I trust implicitly and who will not threaten togutCatalina.” Della and Annis are lovely ladies who have seen to my personal residence for many years. While I am not close with either, they have shown themselves to be quiet, calm, and professional at all times. “What does that have to do with anything?”