Reon leaned over the table and tapped one finger against its surface. "He is losing confidence."
"Mundy is the best we have," Noctis replied. "At least the best we can get without tipping off the KRB and the Council."
Oden lifted the bent cup and threw it across the room.
It struck the wall and split at the rim. Dark liquid ran down the stone in a slow line.
Everyone looked at him.
Oden rose from the chair. "He wastes bodies and asks for more time."
Reon tilted his head. He was used to Oden's antics, but it didn't mean it wasn't tiresome. "Would you prefer to conduct the work yourself?"
"I would prefer results."
"So would everyone here."
Oden's eyes sharpened behind the heat still clinging to them. "Stop speaking to me like I'm one of your technicians."
Reon smiled without warmth. "Then stop throwing cups like one of the test subjects."
The poison around Oden's bandaged shoulder thickened.
Espel shifted her foot.
