Page 70 of Apprentice to the Villain

Gideon shrugged, handing the frame piece back to her. “If that’s what the note says, it’s possible.”

“Then we must find the vendor at once! We’ll go to the village, and we can ask—” She leaped up but was interrupted by the boss’s heavy hand on her shoulder, pushing her back down in her seat.

“Sage, you aren’t going anywhere. You’re a wanted woman, as you so joyously celebrated. If you go to your village asking questions, you’ll be arrested and taken into custody.”

There was a stab of defiance in her gut at being told what she could or couldn’t do. Even if it was reasonable, even if hewas right. “I can be subtle,” she argued, setting her chin in a stubborn line, climbing to her feet, and removing his hand from her shoulder.

“You are as subtle as a battering ram,” The Villain responded dryly, his jaw tightening.

Gideon winced, and Blade took a hearty step back. Lyssa and Edwin seemed to be purposely ignoring them, hands pushing dough to and fro.

Evie wouldn’t let him do this—bar her from continuing this investigation, cutting her out now when they were getting so close. He may have soundly rejected her in the cell, but she would not allow him to reject her here, professionally. “Sir, I plead with you to see reason. Don’t leave me out of this.” There was warning in her words, in the lift of her brow, in the upper tilt of her red lips. All these signs were a reflection of the anger pooling in her stomach like poison.

A lighthearted smirk curved his mouth, and it made her want to knock a fist into his smug face. “Come now, Sage. Pleading is beneath you.”

She reeled back with a gasp.

Gideon slapped a hand to his head, and Blade pulled his body away like he had wandered too close to a fire.

Kingsley hopped up on the table, holding a sign.Danger.

Evie was too shocked by the offense to say anything at first, just parted her lips, her words stifled by hurt that he’d so readily harp on her vulnerable request that she’d made when they were near death. He even had the nerve to furrow his brow in confusion when he read the pain on her face—and beyond that, to actsurprised, eyes wide as he sliced a hand through the air.

“Sage, no, that isn’t at all what I—”

“I don’t care what you say. Your judgment nearly got us killed in that cellar; I’m hardly going to adhere to it now. I’m coming.” A vein throbbed in her head, along with a pounding in hertemples. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes narrowed into slits.

The Villain recovered quickly, huffing an incredulous laugh. “No, you are not. I will goaloneand bring back whatever information I find.”

She let out a growl of frustration. “You’re wanted, too!You’llbe arrested on the spot!”

“No I won’t, Sage.” He crossed his arms. “I have death magic. Anyone who recognizes me beneath my hood will find themselves face-first in the dirt.”

“I’m going!” she screamed, not trying to temper herself any longer.

He glared at her, starting to shake, too. “No, you are not! It’s too dangerous!”

“You can’t tell me what to do!” she cried.

His hands flew in the air in a frustrated gesture. “I am your employer! I absolutely can!” He turned to Becky. “Right, Ms. Erring?”

Becky was already out the door, waving behind her as she yelled, “Nope, not getting involved in this. Goodbye!”

The boss frowned, losing some steam as he turned back toward Evie. “You’ll remain here. You…you aren’t needed for this. My decision is final.”

He couldn’t have hurt her more if he’d literally reached over and slapped her across the face. Her entire life was being needed—it was her value; it was her feeble placeholder in this world. She was his assistant. Not being needed by him was robbing her of her purpose. It was cruel, and he knew it.

He’s The Villain, Evie.

The reminder didn’t calm her anger at all. She merely managed to stop her body’s shaking as she smiled dangerously. The boss gulped, and Kingsley held up a sign that read:Run.

“Well then. As you wish, Mr. Maverine.” She curtsied dramatically. “If there’s any other way I can better assist you,please let me know.”

The boss looked wary at her formal use of his last name. “Evie…please understand…”

She looked up at him with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Oh, as yourassistant, I understand perfectly, sir. Don’t give it another thought.”

As she turned and glided from the room, she heard Blade’s voice call to her. “Evie, hold on!”