“What can I say, my friend turned his ‘magic’ on more than me.” I stick up my nose.
He shakes his head. “You’re hiding something, Pell, I know it, and you’re not going to get away with it. How long have you known about this trove? You were rather eager to check it out by yourself when Jude gave out assignments. Who was that guy, some antiquities dealer?”
“What exactly are you implying?” My voice rises.
“I think it’s pretty clear.” He clenches his jaw.
“You’re delusional.”
“Am I?” He scans the scrolls. I’ve seen him sport some pretty ridiculous expressions—arrogant, egotistical, conceited—the look that falls across his face in this moment is none of those. His eyes glow with what I can only describe as greed.
“It’s clear I’m guilty until proven innocent with you, but the truth is I had no idea about these scrolls until I got here and found the wall had collapsed.”
He shakes his head. “And your friend?”
“What about him?”
“Did you call him and ask him to meet you?” His tone turns taunting.
I grit my teeth. “I told you, I didn’t know anything about the scrolls.”
“Forgive me, but I find that hard to believe.” He exhales heavily. “Women.”
I frown. “What about women?”
“Should never have let you out in the field.”
“What? What is wrong with you?”
“I’ve been trying to get promoted so I can get out of this hellhole and get on with my career, but no, you had to come and make my life hell, Miss Women-Are-As-Good-As-Men. When will you learn your place?”
My mouth drops open. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. He’s shown chauvinistic tendencies, but I had no idea the depth of his depravity.
“Stone Age too hard for you?” I mimic chimp sounds as well as drawing an imaginary club over my shoulder because I left my flashlight in the stairwell and don’t have the prop. “Maybe if you’d apply yourself and stop trying to kiss Jude’s ass, he’d promote you. He’s not stupid. Don’t think he doesn’t hear your BS.”
His eyes light up, and the Neanderthal takes a step toward me, then another, all humor gone.
“I’ve always believed I need to look in the mirror if life isn’t turning out the way I want,” I add.
Why am I still talking to this moron?
He takes another step. I back up.
It’s probably stupid, but I can’t help myself. “You’re upset because it’s taking longer to get promoted than you want. Get in line. You think I don’t want to advance? I’m not your problem.”
Another step closer. Another shuffle back.
Shut up, Pell, shut up.
“You’re your own worst enemy, Irik, and the sooner you”—I take another step back— “realize it, the sooner you’ll stop acting like an ass.”
His look turns fierce, and I swear he growls.
I take bigger steps backward, throwing up my hands.
As if that’ll do anything, Pell.
That pair of eyes soars to the forefront of my mind, but doesn’t calm me, not with Irik in this crazed state continuing his advance.
“Okay, Irik, that’s enough. You’ve proven your point.”
“Oh no, you need to learn your place.” It comes out a growl.
My breathing speeds. When will I learn to shut my trap?
I continue my retreat and gasp when I realize he stands between me and the doorway, not that I’d make it up ninety-nine steps before him. He’s already proven he’s faster.
I had the same worries about Harpoc attacking me not more than a day ago. What is it with me and weird men? I doubt it’ll turn out similarly, not with Irik in his current frame of mind.
Panic has my stomach climbing up my throat, making it hard to breathe.
I scan my surroundings. Only loose limestone chunks litter the floor. Can I throw one hard enough to do damage?
My back hits the wall, and a smile morphs Irik’s feral expression.
“Stop, Irik. Okay, that’s enough.”
“Don’t like it so well when you learn you place, do you? How’s it feel?”
“You’re right, Irik. It sucks, okay? Is that what you want me to say?”
“I want you to resign.” He screws up his face in a snarl.
Fear threatens to overwhelm me, but I’ve been the brunt of bullies more than a few times and learned the only thing that shuts them up is standing up to them, no matter their size.
“That’s not going to happen, Irik. I have just as much right to work here as you.” I only barely stop myself from adding, “maybe more, ya big jerk.”
My brain’s running at full tilt, looking for escape, but there’s none. He’s hemmed me in.
“Resign.”
I clench my jaw and shake my head, hoping he doesn’t notice my shaking hands, which scrabble the cold, rough wall behind me.
Defend yourself, Pell!
My heart races. Why didn’t I take that self-defense class?
Chapter Nineteen
I propel my foot with as much force as I can muster, at Irik’s balls, and scream as his hands near my neck.
Irik sucks in air, and seconds later, his weight presses against my calves.
My mouth drops open.
“Nice work,” Harpoc says, his gray duster tail swaying as he strides for me. His shadows swirl with more intensity than I remember, not far away, only begrudgingly dissipating.
“I heard you could”—my voice trembles—“kill a guy if you hit him too hard… where it counts. Did I…?”
“Your aim was a bit off.”
“So you…?”
“Yes, I felled the brut.” Fury shows on his face, and I swear I hear him growl.
My stomach flutters. From relief, I insist to myself, nothing more.
“Are you okay? I came as soon as I could.” He extends a hand.
“I… I think so.”
My legs turn wobbly, and I take Harpoc’s hand as
