The Skin Thief

Chapter 37

Everyone's eyes are on me as I walk to Zoe's office. I ignore them. Instead, I focus on not tripping in these heels, which are slightly harder to walk on now that my legs feel like jelly thanks to the nerves.

Remember your training, Rowen. Remember what Mother told you.

I adjust my blouse; glad I wore this outfit today. The loose, flowy white blouse looks delicate and goes well with the cream pencil skirt that stops just above my knees. With the addition of my hair, which is pulled into an elegant bun, I know I look good.

Zoe opens the door wider as I walk in.

Marcus's eyes are on me as I enter.

This is it.

A switch clicks in my head. The fear dissipates and my training kicks in. Calm falls over me, and when I smile at him, it is effortless and relaxed.

Marcus is very handsome. Despite my wave of calm, I can't stop my heart from fluttering ever so slightly. He's taken off his blazer. Now in a crisp white shirt, that is slightly open, I can see the outline of his muscular chest. His smile is so charming and I almost blush. Especially when my eyes fall on the little black curl of his hair that falls over his forehead.

"Marcus, this is Ivy Astor," Zoe says.

Marcus holds out his hand.

"It's good to meet you," he says. I take his hand. His grip is firm in mine as he shakes it.

"Ivy, I assume you already know who this is," Zoe chuckles.

We let go of each other's hands and I look away from him, laughing.

"Yes," I reply, "My colleagues have had a lot to say."

"I'm sure they do," he chuckles.

Zoe gestures for us to sit as she takes a seat behind her desk. I do as she says. She leans on her desk and looks between the two of us, smiling.

"Ivy is one of our highest-performing analysts," she says.

"I have read a few of your reports," Marcus replies. "It is nice to put a face to the name. Excellent work."

"Thank you," I say, smiling widely.

"Of course, I haven't bought her in here today just to praise her work. Ivy here, speaks Athainian."

Marcus's eyes widen.

"Really?" he asks, frowning slightly.

"Yes," I reply.

"Interesting," he says lowly. "May I ask why? How?"

"Well," I begin, sensing the small challenge in his voice. "Not to sound arrogant, but I am excellent with languages. If I wasn't doing this job, then I would have studied languages further and perhaps even found a career as a private translator."

Marcus chuckles. His smile as he does so is so charmingly beautiful that I almost forget that this man is a powerful and brutal killer.

"It would have paid better," he tells me.

"I am aware," I reply, "but I thought this would be more interesting. My interest in politics and wartime studies sits slightly above my passion for languages. That is why I chose to learn Athainian to study. I thought that it would be a useful skill to have to go into a job like this."

"Well, you weren't wrong," Zoe chuckles.

"May I ask what languages you speak?" Marcus asks me.

"I also am also fluent in Falken and can just about hold a sentence language of Myralelle, of the Fifth Realm."