Tarrano's heavy brows went up. "So?" He chuckled. "That remains to be seen. Well, you heard the ultimatum they sent me? What do you think of it?"
"I think you'd best obey it," I burst out impulsively.
"I was not speaking to you." He did not change the level intonation of his voice, nor even look my way. "You are to die tomorrow, Jac Hallen——"
Elza gave a low cry; instantly his gaze swung to her. "So? That strikes at you, Lady Elza?"
She flushed even deeper than before, and the flush, with her instinctive look to me that accompanied it, made my heart leap. Tarrano's face had darkened. "You would not have me put him to death, Lady Elza?"
She was struggling to guard from him her emotions; struggling to match her woman's wit against him.
"I—why no," she stammered.
"No? Because he is—your friend?"
"Yes. I—I would not let you do that."
"Not let me?" Incredulous amusement swept over his face.