“Aren’t you scared, Shahrzad?” he asked, so quietly she almost missed it. She put down the bread. “Do you want me to be scared, sayyidi?” “No. I want you to be honest.” Shahrzad smiled. “But how would you know if I were lying, sayyidi?” “Because you are not a gifted liar. You only think yourself to be.” He leaned forward and took a handful of almonds from the tray. Her smile widened. Dangerously. “And you are not that good at reading people. You only think yourself to be.” He angled his head, a muscle ticking along his jaw. “What do you want?” Again, the words were so soft, Shahrzad strained
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