Silver froze, his eyes wide as he stared at his boss's painted but inexplicably animate image on the wall.

Kaelen unfolded his arms and wagged a finger at Silver, his movements jerky like an old stop-motion video. In contrast, when he spoke, his voice was smooth and cold. "So you've learned a little something about the world, have you?"

Silver blinked. "I suppose I have," he admitted. "Not very much, though. I'd like to learn more."

"Who taught you?" Kaelen demanded.

Silver picked up the book that sat on the desk in front of him. "I read it in here. It came from the bookcase here." As he held up the cover for Kaelen to read, he gestured with his other hand toward the gap in the books across the room. "It was right there for anyone to see."

"Why now?" said Kaelen. "I've never seen you avail yourself of those books before. And why that book? You must have known that was the book you'd be able to use."

Silver nodded. That was an excellent point. He pursed his lips, considering his next words carefully. "Why did you hire me?" he asked. "Out of all the humans in this town or any Fae who might have been willing to work your front desk. Why me?"

Kaelen smiled widely, revealing teeth that were longer and more tapered than those of a human. "I think we understand each other now," he replied. "So, the question is . . . where do I stand in your eyes?"

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"I asked you a question," Silver pointed out.

"And I've asked you three," said Kaelen. "And as I believe you are in my debt, I will require you to answer them before I answer yours."

Silver raised an eyebrow. "I disagree."

Kaelen frowned and stepped forward, pressing his hands against the glass of the picture frame. "With what?"

"I am not in your debt," said Silver. "What favor have you done me?"

"I gave you a job," said Kaelen.

"No," said Silver. "I provide an agreed-upon amount of labor for you, and in return you provide an agreed-upon amount of money. There is an even ledger between us."

Kaelen blinked and scratched his forehead, still leaning against the glass with his other hand.

Silver thought it looked very strange, like the Fae was going to fall forward at any moment. He noticed that Kaelen's fingertips had tiny holes in them and wondered if he had retractable claws like Aganya. Looking closely at his face he noticed short, translucent whiskers sprouting from beside his nose as well. He must have some blood in common with Aganya's clan of portal-openers.

"Why are you staring at me?" asked Kaelen sharply.

"You're a Fae," said Silver mildly. "This is the first time I've seen your true face."

Kaelen's green eyes widened. "You can see my true face?"

Silver paused. It would appear that Kaelen was more in the dark than he realized. He should tread carefully so as to not reveal too much information. Or should he reveal more in order to keep the Fae off-balance?

Before he could say anything more, Kaelen abruptly shook his head. "Fuck this. I'm coming in there."

He took a step back and then reached forward and grasped something invisible in front of him, twisting it like a doorknob.

The glass picture frame swung open and Silver found himself face to face with his Fae boss.