Chapter 48: Chapter 48: I WANT YOU SERAPHINA.

Seraphina's jaw clenched for a moment, then she exhaled sharply, composing herself with a practised grace. "Indeed," she conceded, forcing a smile. "Apologies for the digression. Now, to the matter at hand," she continued, her voice regaining its business-like tone. "So, how much?"

A furrowed brow creased David's face. "how much?" he echoed, confusion clouding his eyes. "What in the nine hells do you mean by how much?"

A tinkling laugh escaped Seraphina, light and devoid of genuine amusement. "Don't be silly," she countered, her smile widening to reveal a hint of shark in its sweetness. Seraphina's smile faltered for a brief moment, then blossomed again, this time with a hint of flirtation. "Forgive me," she purred, her voice dripping with honeyed tones. "Perhaps I misspoke. How much Terran-gold would it take to...

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"Gold, huh? David thought for a while. Did he need gold...of course not, he was a noble. Probably some begging and shamelessness at that and the earl would give him a good pouch filled with Terran gold.

A flicker of amusement ignited in his eyes. "Hmm," he drawled, leaning back in his chair with a studied nonchalance. "Truth be told, I don't require coin. A bit of shameless grovelling and my dear old man might cough up a pouch or two." A snort escaped him, the sound echoing oddly in the tense silence.

"First of all, none of the Fingers are comrades I'd risk my life for," she explained. "And second, you know I'm a seer, a cunning one at that." She continued, her gaze steady. "I can't defeat you now or in the future."

David found himself oddly captivated by her frankness. It was a refreshing departure from the usual bluster and bravado one expected from underworld figures. But it was her next words that truly sent a jolt through him.

Her awareness of his fate, her ability to not only foresee but sidestep her own demise – it spoke of a power, or perhaps an unparalleled skill, that could be incredibly valuable in the hands of the right (or wrong) person.

A spark of intrigue ignited in his cold eyes, pushing aside the initial frustration and replacing it with a question that hung heavy in the air: "Tell me, Seraphina," he said, his voice tinged with newfound respect, "just how cunning a seer are you?"