“Hopefully you’re right,” Pamel replied. “And hopefully, you’ll live up to your reputation. I anticipate winning, and I won’t be pleased if you make me look foolish.”
“And what if I lose?”
The gleam vanished from his eyes as he said: “You’ll be sent back here, to serve out the remainder of your sentence.”
Valerie’s lovely visions exploded like dust from a slammed book. “Then I might as well leap from the window. A year in this place has worn me through—imagine what will happen if I return. I’d be dead by my second year.” She tossed her head. “Your offer seems fair enough.”
“Fair enough indeed,” Pamel said, and waved a hand at Chaol. “Take her to her rooms and clean her up.” He fixed her with a stare. “We depart for Zodom in the morning. Don’t disappoint me, Sardothien.”
It was nonsens
