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[lordoftheozarks]

When the ringing stops, all you'll hear is a cold voice that says one simple word, "Speak."

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[redlightgreenlight]

Much as she hates explaining herself to him, she knows he won't hesitate to use it against her if she doesn't. And for Max's sake, she needs him to tell as few people as possible.

"I made a deal with a demon to get Max off that infested ship, she demanded blood in return."

[lordoftheozarks]

He closes his eyes and takes a deep phantom breath in. Now it's all perfectly clear.

"And you calculated that killing me would be the safest and most efficient way to comply with that contract because I wouldn't hold a grudge if it was for Max's sake." She is right. Of course she is.

"Does Max know?"

[redlightgreenlight]

She inclines her head. She and Erik may not be friends, but they both love Max. Hopefully Claunthe would accept this death.

"No. He would blame himself for putting me in this position and for your death."

Even though it had been her choice to pay his passage.

[lordoftheozarks]

"He would. Yes." They both know that with utter certainty. "I don't want that. The secret stays with me. Well, with one exception."

Here is where having significant others starts to become complicated. Chris, perhaps, he can keep it from. Not River. He made her a promise.

"My girlfriend, River. I'll have to tell her something of this. I'll make sure she understands it was necessary. I will be going to meet her as soon as we are finished."

He turns to look at his body beside the still crackling fire. "Since you're already inside, could you do me the kindness of putting out that fire. It wouldn't do to have a stray spark sending the place up in smoke. There is a bookmark on the table, as well." For the book that's still laid open across his lap.

[redlightgreenlight]

Her expression turns wary when he mentions telling River, she recalls what the woman did to Tarantulas and pitting two necromancers against each other would be disastrous.

"I'll put out the fire, but I really think you should reconsider telling River. The nature of our abilities could endanger others should we have conflict with each other."

And Max would notice if she didn't come home.

[lordoftheozarks]

"I'm going to have to tell her something. I'd rather it be the truth." Perhaps creatively phrased, but still, in essence, the truth.

"I am dead and she is going to know about it. That isn't negotiable. She is not unreasonable, Valdis. It was only because Tarantulas's trespass was so great that she cursed him the way she did. She understands debts. And she knows about Max."

[redlightgreenlight]

"I'm not sure I like the fact that you've changed."

Makes him harder to hate.

"Do what you must, but remember that I will not stand for retaliation that harms Max in any way. I will defend myself should you be wrong about her being reasonable."

And he should easily recall that she hadn't been near him when he died.

"I have no desire to kill, which is probably why Claunthe requested blood as payment for saving Max, but I will."

[lordoftheozarks]

"Coming from you, I'm taking that as a compliment." And a personal achievement.

"Obviously, you'll kill if you must." He gestures to his limp corpse like he's imitating Vanna White.

"River would never harm Max. And, if for any reason she attacks you first it's between the two of you what the outcome is. She was a soldier once, she should know the risks of provoking a fight. But I do not think it will come to that. I will specifically request that it not come to that."

[redlightgreenlight]

If she were a Hound she would have bared her teeth, but as it is, she keeps her composure.

"I supposed I will simply have to offer you a tiny sliver of trust in that regard."

[lordoftheozarks]

"Yes. You will." He hopes it stings.

"Now, if you will excuse me? I don't want to keep River waiting."

[redlightgreenlight]

It doesn't sting in the slightest, she knows Erik would do his best to avoid causing Max pain.

"You're excused."

She'll put out the fire before she leaves.

Wrap!

[lordoftheozarks]

He rolls his eyes on his out/through the front door but just this once he'll let her have the last word.