52

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Polonius asked me, walking over to me as beads of sweat gathered at my brow.

“I wasn’t looking for anything,” I rasped. “I needed air; my room is dank and musty. I didn’t want to get sick.” I coughed a couple of times in genuine need, as Amadeus’s magic was still pressing down on my body.

“Hmm, interesting. But I doubt my warehouse is any less dank or musty.” Polonius’s cool demeanor was even more unnerving than his grandiose boasting.

“I didn’t…” But before I could protest again, my voice completely evaporated. My mouth continued to move, but it didn’t produce any sound.

“Ah, I was curious to see if he had any more lies to spin,” Polonius laughed. “Perhaps I’ll have to threaten to cut out his tongue for it to finally speak the truth.”

“I need a moment alone with him,” Amadeus said in a mechanic monotone.

“Alone? I’d rather like to watch.” Polonius’s expressionless face twisted into a disturbing smile.

“I don’t want my magic to injure innocent