And there was Clara.
Clara Koh, his assistant and best friend. Maddening with her worrying and her lecturing; adorable in the way she took such perfect care of him, no matter how stupid or reckless he’d been. No matter how many difficulties he heedlessly piled onto her plate.
She’d detest every part of the idea, and she’d detest him if she even knew how long he’d considered agreeing to it.
Cas opened his mouth to reject Matilda and her revolting plan. But another thought occurred to him.
Why couldn’t he follow Faulkner’s example—make a deal, then find a way to wriggle out of it later? Yes, she was a Shadow, and formidable… but he’d be free and back in the game.
He could worry later about how to deal with her.
Mimicking his father’s confident, businesslike nod, he said, “It’s promisin
