Nina's hands slowly curled into fists on the chair.
"I understand," she replied. "But…" she started, her gaze narrowing at Emory. "You have given me no reason why I should believe what you've said."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Nina pointed at her. "Like you said, a lot of people want to get their hands on the Vault of Forbidden Spells. How do I know you're not one of them?" She raised a brow.
The air between them thickened as they held each other's gaze for a moment. Then Emory smiled.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Nina smiled. "I need to meet them."
Lady Emory's brows drew together ever so slightly.
"Who?"
The room fell quiet once more.
Nina held her gaze, her expression unwavering.
"The witches you speak of." The words left her lips slowly. "I want an audience with them."
Lady Emory didn't answer immediately. She simply watched Nina, her face revealing nothing. Even the faint smile she wore seemed to have faded into something unreadable.
Nina refused to look away.
