Zaeryn met her gaze.
"I'd consider it once I knew what that service asked of me," Zaeryn replied. "I won't agree to anything without knowing the terms first."
Athea's expression did not change, though Zaeryn suspected that answer satisfied her more than blind obedience would have.
One of the senior councilwomen leaned forward, resting her hands against the polished bench.
"Do you think you should be allowed to possess such power?" the senior councilwoman asked.
Zaeryn did not answer immediately. Saying that he deserved it would sound arrogant. Saying that he did not would mean accepting that the Council had the right to take something from him before he had used it to harm anyone.
