[ her own brows knit together as he responds, because he’s . . . upset. which surprises her, a little, but then again, he did let her sleep on his couch. he’s clearly not a terrible person.

but the question causes her to bite the inside of her cheek, and inej lets out a slow breath. ]

It’s — complicated.

[ and humiliating, truthfully, and she feels an odd weight in her stomach as she tries to find words. ]

I was —- [ brought here against her will and heleen essentially bought her way into the country. paid for her. and now she has a debt that doesn’t seem to be getting any smaller. ] She isn’t just —- she doesn’t just own my building.

[ and she purses her lips together before glancing toward her phone on the couch. may as well be honest, though the uncomfortable tightness in her throat almost prevents the words. why is this so hard? the opinion of some random mostly stranger doesn’t mean anything, in the long run. ]

I work for her, to pay down the debt.

[ finally. ]

She owns the Menagerie. And half the — those types of houses on in East Stave. I didn’t — I missed a payment because I refused to see a certain client, and now I’m here. So.

[ she gestures with a hand, uncomfortable and on edge. almost preemptively defensive. ]

None of that is going to attach to you, no one knows I’m here.