office. The only sound was the f

is senses and lunged forward, reaching out to

er chair. A cruel, mocking smile

," Sterl

mped down on Eve

er weight. She twisted her torso, using Doyle's own momentum against him. She gripped his wrist, applied a sharp pressure to a highly sp

le vanished. He watched her fluid, violen

her gaze sweeping over the mahogany desk. A steamin

ply, making a show of smelling the air. Then s

all when it was brought in. Your facial micro-expressions remained completely flat," Evelina obs

is jaw locked. He leaned forward, his massi

demanded. His voice was

f smell-was the highest-level s

o her backpack and pulled out a small, black velvet

now your secret. And I am the only p

et box. He raised a hand, f

way, but he kept his hand restin

oice devoid of any human warmth, "you wi

velvet box. Inside lay a row of hair-thin silver needl

elina ordered. "Relax

rate, clawing need to regain his sense of smell won. He

ight beside his chair. The faint scent of sterile alc

She slid the first one into the Yingxiang acupoint beside his nostril. Th

white as they clamped down on the armrests. A sharp, aching pressure exploded deep ins

he glass vial. She held the op

the silver needles, t

. Deep," sh

anded. He dragged th

arp, stinging scent of raw peppermint mixed with crushed

Shock ripped through his compo

e in five years he h

vial, dropped everything back into the velvet box, and took three

d grabbed the coffee cup. He brought it to his face and inhaled. The ri

velina. The disgust was gone. He wa

The lethal aura returned, but it was

ose the door,"

licked shut. They we

estured to the leather gue

e low and serious. "Let us dis