Two hours had passed precisely since Emily Stafford had been seated in the large meeting hall, which was a former school auditorium, though by her internal clock it felt closer to a century, and patience, once her strongest virtue had begun to fray like an old banner left too long in the sun.
The hall itself had been modified to intimidate. Animal heads hung on the walls like trophies of successful hunts; some were of dangerous creatures like the two headed serpent that she had only heard about. It was hard not to be impressed by the daring feats of Vicente and his group.
Emily shifted slightly in her seat, uncrossed and re-crossed her legs, played with her knife for a while, then finally broke the stillness. "How long do I have to wait?" she asked, her tone calm but sharpened at the edges.
