ETAN
Etan sighed heavily. It felt like an iron band had been twisted around his chest and was slowly tightening. "I hate this, Borsche. Hate it to my bones. But it's going to get worse."
"What? How?" Borsche pulled his head back, eyeing Etan warily.
Etan swallowed. "Because I have to ask you to lie to Falek as well."
"Absolutely not," Borsche snarled. "He is utterly necessary to keeping Ayleth safe!"
Etan raised his hands. "You have to see that Falek is loyal to her and her well-being. She'll be eviscerated by this, Borsche. If she believes it—we have to make her believe it. She is discreet, but she also wears her heart on her sleeve. Her mother knows her too well. If Ayleth knows I'm returning she won't be hurt enough and her mother will know."
"Falek can know. He can be our failsafe—"
