“You were gone for a long time,” Skylar barked, sounding frosty. She scrutinized our faces in turn, as though trying to figure out whether we were about to lie to her.
“It was difficult to find Rosie and negotiate with her,” I replied, sounding nearly as icy. If Skylar got it in her mind to issue ridiculous demands like Nicholas, it would be the end of our partnership. “We had to follow the trail she left inadvertently and bargain with her. Naturally, since you favored Nicholas and worked with him, she was reluctant to agree.”
“Reluctant to agree?” Skylar parroted, her eyes narrowing. “That’s not the same as saying that she refused my offer.”
“Yes. Rosie wants to be certain that you’ll keep your word,” I explained. “She sent me along with a gift to demonstrate that she can hold up her e
