Isabella

"Frederick," I said, rather than ask. "So what do I owe this... sudden pleasure?"

"I don't think you get to be like that with me," he said, his voice proud. "But whatever it is you think you're doing here, it's going to kill you."

"And here? Where is 'here'?" I asked.

"I've been hearing rumors that you're here. Even if it's true, even if it's not true, I shouldn't even be hearing those rumors in the first place. So like I said, if you are behind the rumors—"

"I'm not behind anything," I cut him off. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

He paused for a moment before...