"I require a personal assistant." Daisani went on as if she hadn't spoken. "Thus far, a suitable candidate has not yet accepted the position." His eyebrows quirked upward and he confessed, "Nor applied. Miss Knight Margrit, if I may-you've proven yourself to be delightfully discreet and levelheaded regarding extraordinary matters."

Margrit wished abruptly that she had remained on the far side of Vanessa's desk, so she might use it as a prop and lean on it for emphasis. On the other hand, remaining there, where Daisani wanted her to be, would only enforce his argument. "You mean in the face of learning about the Old Races, and finding out that half the power in this city isn't even human?"

Daisani waggled a finger. "Don't be absurd, Miss Knight. There-are only one or two of us who aren't human."

"It's enough. Mr. Daisani." Margrit made his name into hard sounds, stopping him when he would have gone on. "Mr. Daisani," she repeated more quietly. "I owe a dragonlord two favors, and the gargoyle who got me into this mess won't talk to me."Surprise flickered across Daisani's face and Margrit cursed herself for letting go a piece of information he'd lacked. "I'm not foolish enough to think the Old Races are done with me. Alban thought he could get you and Janx off my back-"

Another hint of surprised interest crossed Daisani's face, and Margrit broke off, setting her front teeth together and pulling her lips back in sheer frustration. Laughter suddenly danced in Daisani's eyes and he clucked his tongue. "Humans are the only species on this planet who have forgotten that baring teeth is a sign of aggression." He stepped forward, raising a hand so quickly she barely saw the movement, only became aware that he'd brushed her jaw when she felt the resulting warmth. Conflicting impulses froze her in place, outrage that he should feel free to touch her, coupled with white fear at how fast he'd moved. "Let me remind you of what I am, Miss Knight. Let me warn you that one of my kind might see such a raw expression as an invitation to courtship."