---
Even with the seal suppressing her real powers, even dressed down by the bad circumstance, there was still a remnant of old elegance in her eyes. She had been bruised. Her body and clothes were dirty. Stripped of authority. But not erased.
Natasha looked less elegant and more dangerous. Her stillness had sharpened over the last two days into something feral and controlled. Hate sat in her eyes like a blade kept warm under clothing.
Sekhmet stopped before them. Neither woman spoke to him. He had not come for pleasant conversation.
"I need answers," he said.
Sofia smiled faintly, though there was no joy in it. "Then you came to a very poor place."
Sekhmet ignored the tone. "How did you find me?"
Natasha's eyes narrowed. "No. You won't get any answers."
His gaze shifted to her. "That was not a negotiation. I am demanding it. Both of you are my prisoners."
"That is unfortunate," she said. "Because I am still not telling you anything."
