Chapter 128: Broke Again
Ethan studied the girl in silence for a few moments longer. Or rather, pretended to—he and Lirael had already decided. But appearances mattered. At last, he leaned forward slightly, his tone level.
"I'm interested," he said. "I would like to buy her. But tell me—what clauses could be written into her contract? Since the Church was the one to sell her, surely they enforced certain restrictions? Some form of protection for her?"
The moment the word Church left his lips, the girl flinched, shoulders tightening as though struck.
The merchant's eyes flicked to her, sharp as a knife. She froze, gaze dropping instantly, lips pressed together.
