Snippet #2520900

She did not reply immediately. Neiu was on the verge of asking again, to implore her not to pretend that she was not there. But she fulfilled the unspoken request before Neiu opened her mouth. Black eyes met hers. Never had she seen such distrust. Not since the last time she saw her parents' eyes. The Shadow Dancer spit her name out as if it were venom. To Neiu's ears, they were. Blackmont. The Small Order sent her to watch over Iaria Blackmont. The lost daughter of Dassem, a leader murdered and his House disgraced. To be her companion would be throwing her lot in a political whirlpool that Neiu had no leave to be in. No wonder they told her to steer clear of all contact.
Shaken as she was, Neiu was aware of Iaira Blackmont's grip on her jaw, forcing her to look straight at her as she spoke. Her eyes grazed Neiu's face like the sharpened point of a blade. Would that Neiu could take the air from Iaira's lungs until she fell to her feet. But for the second time that night, she forced herself to cower under the power of another. She blinked furiously as Iaira let go of her face and took a couple little steps backwards, until she collided into the dusty wall behind them.
"Neiu. They named me Neiu." She rubbed her chin with the back of her hand. "It is a name unknown. Unlike yours. But as you so kindly requested, I will not speak of you. It was unnecessary, I must say. I'm a apostate, as you said, although I dislike that term." She began to unwind her scarf slowly, to bare her face. "I prefer...nomad."