Page 87 of Dark Gambit: The Play

Exasperated, Sofia sat on the bed, braced her elbows on her knees, and let her head drop down.

When a knock sounded on the door, she ignored it, barely able to contain the words "go to hell" from leaving her mouth. It took tremendous effort to keep her lips pressed tightly together, but she knew that anything she said right now would only make things worse, so it was better to shut up.

Would it get better in a few hours?

Usually, her anger was quick to rise, quick to explode, and just as quick to subside, but not this time. She was too hurt, and frankly, there was nothing Marcel could say to make it better.

In fact, anything he said would just make it worse.

When the door eased open, she didn't even look at it.

"May I come in?" Marcel asked.

She shrugged. "It's your jail. I can't stop you."

He walked over and sat on the bed next to her. "Can you stop brooding for a moment and see things from my perspective?"

Oh, he was asking for it.

She cast him a baleful look. "Can you see things from mine? I thought that I was cooperating with humans who had paranormal abilities. Now I know that I sold out my people to another species of beings who have military capabilities and can enlist an army of immortal warriors. So you tell me who deceived whom and why."

69

MARCEL

Sofia had a point.

"What I said before is still true." Marcel scooted a little closer to her. "We don't mean your people harm. If we can, we would like to liberate the compound, and for our own safety, we need to accumulate as much information about the Kra-ell as we can. Until recently we didn't know that they existed. We still don't know why they came, what their plans are, and if they know that we are here. If they came from the same place as the gods, they also might have information about our origins."

She shrugged. "That's a good story, but it doesn't change the fact that you can compel any information you want out of me, while I can't verify anything you say. I'm at a disadvantage, and you have the nerve of accusing me of withholding information right after you make the absurd claim that I'm your perfect mate and that you can make me long-lived or immortal. Excuse me if I'm skeptical."

"Why would I make false claims if I can force you to do anything I want?"

She turned a pair of angry eyes at him. "Just leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you. From now on, I'll only talk with Eleanor. That way, I won't get accused of lying."

How had he messed this up so badly?

"I can't leave you alone. I've fallen in love with you, and I want to have a life with you. What can I do to fix this?"

She hesitated for a split second, but then shook her head. "Nothing. The damage has been done. Go away."

"No."

"Suit yourself." She rose to her feet, walked into the bathroom, and slammed the door shut behind her.

Despondent, he sat on the bed and waited for Eleanor to arrive.

A few moments later, he heard the door at the top of the stairs open, and then he heard Eleanor's light footsteps as she descended the stairs.

"Where is she?" Eleanor asked as she walked into the room.

"She's in the bathroom. She won't talk to me."

Hand on her hip, Eleanor cast him a glare. "What have you done?"

"I don't know. She's being unreasonable."

"Right." Eleanor walked over to the bed and sat down beside him. "That's what men say when they mess up and don't want to admit it. Is she mad that you called me to verify that what she told us before is legit?"