Evangeline scoffed, staring at him with unbothered amusement.
"Run?" she repeated, her voice dripping with casual disdain. "I don't mind running when my opponent is clearly stronger than me. I'm not foolish enough to risk my life for some worthless pride. But run where, exactly? I'm in a place I know nothing about, surrounded by people with powers I've never seen in my life."
Without waiting for his reply, she leaned back and stretched across the leather sofa again. Closing her eyes, she placed the back of her hand over them in her usual, nonchalant habit.
"You said the Empress would be here soon. Fine. Wake me up when she arrives."
Carlos stared at her, his pipe hovering inches from his mouth. For a moment, his predatory composure cracked, replaced by pure astonishment. Then, a low, booming laugh broke the silence of the study.
"You are actually going to sleep?"
