"What if I refuse?"
I asked it just to feel the edges of her hunger. I had to know how far she would go, what she wanted in return, and whether whatever she wanted would cost me more than I was willing to spend.
She made a sound, not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh. Then she leaned forward, and for the first time her eyes sharpened into something that resembled calculation rather than amusement.
"I know," she said, slow and cruelly calm. "I can guess what is rattling around in that twisted mind of yours. And to your mindful question, yes. I have an ulterior motive for teaching you."
Okay. I had been right.
Hearing her say it out loud removed the last of the mystery. She was not playing coy. She was not hiding behind riddles. Whatever scheme lived in that head of hers, she was willing to name it.
"So what is it?" I asked. Calm on the surface, teeth braced under the words.
