Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy

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    Haller’s fingers froze. The briefest flicker of a muscle at the corner of Finn’s mouth told Edie he appreciated her response.
    Edie slipped sideways along the bench, out of reach, and said to Finn, “I’ll fetch you a plate.”
    Finn’s eyes flicked from her to Haller, and she followed his gaze. Haller straightened, a smile fixed to his face, but the twitch in his jaw signaled his suppressed anger.
    â€œPlease, sit and enjoy your meal,” he said with forced congeniality. “I’ll feed the dog.”
    He sauntered into the galley and Edie was left staring at her plate, wishing she’d voiced an objection to the insult on Finn’s behalf, but not wanting to further aggravate Haller. Haller returned with a large dish heaped with dumplings anda loaf of sour nut-bread. He placed the food on the far end of the table, forcing Finn to lean across to drag it closer—which he did without hesitation.
    â€œOne more thing,” Edie said, knowing she was pushing her luck. “The voice snag—Zeke said he’d take it off.”
    â€œLet’s see how he behaves first, shall we?”
    â€œWhat use is he as a bodyguard if he can’t even speak a warning? Don’t you think this will work out better if I have his cooperation rather than his resentment?”
    Haller raised his brows in a shrug of disinterest. “I don’t even have your cooperation, apparently.”
    She had no intention of obeying the order to jolt Finn, not even as a trade for the voice snag. But this was nothing to do with the snag. Haller was simply savoring the power game and didn’t want to let her win any more points.
    She’d have to tackle it another way. Much as it irked her, she proceeded with a deferential tone. “I’m sorry about my earlier insubordination… sir . If he misbehaves, I’ll jolt him.” A lie, but to her ears she sounded fairly convincing.
    Haller considered her a moment before unclipping a magkey from his belt. Edie held out her hand, expecting him to reconsider at any moment. But he pressed the small tool to her palm.
    â€œSince you asked so nicely.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œThere. Isn’t that much better?” He seemed genuinely relieved. “Now get some rest. Read your memos. CPT at six sharp, tomorrow morning.” He walked off, calling over his shoulder, “And keep that snag handy. I can’t vouch for his manners.”

CHAPTER 4
    With Haller gone, Edie could breathe again. She was used to dealing with people who needed her cooperation, and while Haller’s attitude was less refined than that of the Crib ’crats, his method was the same. He was willing to make small compromises to keep her on-side because she had a talent that would make him rich.
    Seated opposite her was a man who probably didn’t know, and certainly didn’t care, that she could create valuable new worlds with little more than a well-aimed thought. Depending on what they’d told him, he might not even consider her an ally, but she intended to gain his trust. The jolt that excited Haller so much was the worst possible way to achieve that. She couldn’t imagine using it any more than she could use the drub. She wouldn’t discipline him like an animal.
    Nor would she keep him silent.
    Finn tucked into the food, ignoring Edie’s frank gaze as she picked thoughtfully at the bread, savoring the spices that stung the roof of her mouth. His age was difficult to estimate. His position as a serf may have added a few years to his appearance, but she guessed he was under thirty. Old scars marred his jaw and cheekbone, and fresher ones slashed across one arm, snaking under the sleeve of his tee.His midtoned skin made the pale lines stand out. Patchy yellowing bruises ringed his wrists, and his long fingers were calloused, the nails worn down though fairly clean.
    Edie forced herself to stop staring and concentrated