Samantha had not been expecting Richard Grayson of all people to request an audience with her. True, she had wanted to meet him herself but the fact that he had beat her to it and asked first only made her suspicious.

She still couldn't forget that he had been so close to guessing her secret as Batman when he had saved her from Lavina's owls. So that current request to meet only made her think that he was up to something that could not turn out in her favor.

But she couldn't make him more suspicious by refusing his request either. So she decided to set a meeting in her office, as it was a place where she wouldn't be alone and she knew Richard would be aware of that fact and be cautious.

Something about Richard Grayson made her feel afraid of him even though she was no less in power and authority as the Head of the Court of Owls. She had kept him captive once and later met him in person twice but each meeting with him had left her puzzled about what kind of a person he was.

Initially, she had thought it would be easy to manipulate him and turn him against Lavina rather than the Court by using Tim as a pawn. But her plan had failed as he had taken no step against Lavina, busying himself with taking up a job at the police department and managing his vigilante duties side by side.

So the fact that he was reaching out to her then made her even more suspicious of what could be his intentions behind it.

The door knocked, shaking her out of her troublesome thoughts and she looked up to see the secretary step in.

"Mister Grayson is here to see you," he told her, "shall I send him in?"

"Sure," she replied, subconsciously checking that there was nothing on her desk that could raise his curiosity, "send him in."

Shortly after, another knock sounded and the door opened, revealing Richard Grayson.

"Good day, Mister Grayson," she smiled cordially, gesturing him to take the seat in front of her.

"Good day," he replied but his demeanor indicated that he wasn't there to maintain any formal pleasantries.

And that made her feel on edge all over again.

He took the seat and she waited for him to state the reason for his visit though deep down she was on tenterhooks. If he had really found out about her link to the Court, then a lot was already at stake.

"I won't take much of your time but it would be easier for you if you don't waste my time either and answer honestly," his tone was cold and she knew there was something wrong about the entire visit, just like she had feared. 

And the fact that he pulled out the Talon dagger from his pocket and placed it in front of her on the desk further confirmed her suspicion.

"Since you had been cordial to me earlier, Miss Vanaver, I'm trying not to directly jump to conclusions here," he resumed, keenly observing the fading color of her face, "the last time we met, you talked about Tim and how his suicide was more or less influenced by Lavina Vikander. And even though you said you had no part in it, the fact that you haven't been fully honest with me either makes me question your intentions."

Samantha kept herself composed, trying not to let her unease flicker on her features. She could see that Richard was poised to strike any moment, the iciness of his blue eyes giving away that he was not to be messed with.

"So tell me truthfully now and I will let the past slide; are you part of the Court of Owls?"

"Mister Grayson, you are in my office at the moment," her voice was lower than usual but her eyes showed that she was being careful with each word, "I can not guarantee that we won't get overheard. Do you really think it is wise to discuss that here?"

"Then why did you think it wise enough to call me here of all places?" That spark in his eyes combined with a very slight smile was enough for her to ascertain that he would not fall for any excuses. "If you felt comfortable meeting me here, then you should also have no issue in discussing this here. After all, it's your office."

She was caught in a catch-22 situation. If she refused to answer him, he would probe further into her life and the possibility of her being a member of the Court. And as a result, he would become more of a threat to her than she could possibly deal with at the moment.

If she answered truthfully as he wanted her to, then that too put her at risk. If he found out that she was the Head of the Court and responsible for keeping him captive, he could strike back with a deadlier attack.

There was something in his eyes that hinted he was a person who neither forgave nor forget. Having him wronged would definitely result in him taking revenge for it.

"Miss Vanaver, I do not have all day," his voice brought her back to the present and she took in a deep breath, knowing whatever choice she made right then would land her in trouble later on.

"Yes. I am a Talon," she admitted but decided not to tell him that she was the Head, "and this dagger belongs to me."

He did not say anything in reply but his gaze was unwavering, icy blue irises piercing right through her bluish grey eyes.

"Did you just come here to return the dagger?" She asked, irked from the uncomfortable silence, "if so, then thank you very much. You are free to leave."

Those words seemed to have no effect on him as he resumed, "what rank do you hold in the Court?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you the Head?" His gaze darkened and she could feel it pierce through her soul, "or perhaps a higher ranking Talon because your dagger is remarkably different from others."

"Mister Grayson, I am not bound to tell you anything," keeping up the curt act of formality was difficult at the moment for her but she stuck to it, "I can assure you that even disclosing my allegiance puts me in great danger from the Court."

"Ah, so not the Head, I assume... Or perhaps there is some power above the Head too," his voice was lowered too so there couldn't be any chance of someone overhearing them from outside. 

But his reluctance to let go of the topic was making Samantha get more and more anxious with every passing moment.

"What do you want from me?" She cut to the point before he could go further with his eerily accurate assumptions.

"I want you to give me your word that you will not meddle in any of my affairs," he replied, leaning back in his seat and dropping the stern glare, "I have enough people against me, I don't want you be on that list too."

She had not been expecting that from him because it was relatively easier; she did not want to be on that list either so his proposition was fair for both of them. "But if the Court orders against you then..."

"Then you will not follow that order because I know who you are and I am perfectly capable to recognize you under a Talon mask too," that unnerving smile was back upon his lips, "the choice is yours, Miss Vanaver."

With that vague remark he stood up, indicating that he was going to leave.

"I will not meddle in your affairs," she spoke up because he was waiting for that reply, "you have my word."

He looked at her closely, as if judging whether she was being honest right then or just playing along. But she looked back determinedly, not even a slight waver in her eyes could hint that she was not telling the truth.

"Thank you," he replied at last, taking note to still keep her under watch because he did not trust her one bit, "I'll take my leave now."

She nodded and he had turned to go to the door, knowing full well that her eyes were following his retreating figure.

"The Court has a Grandmaster who is above the Head and all Talons," he halted, hearing her voice but did not turn to face her, "I am sure you are capable enough to recognize her under a Talon mask as well."

He knew she was referring to Lavina; there could be no other meaning behind her words. And since she had brought that up herself, she was aiming to provoke him into going against Lavina. 

It made sense to him why she would meet him first and tell him about Tim, why she would go out of her way to partially tell him the truth just so he could turn against Lavina.

He understood very well that Samantha Vanaver's prime target right then wasn't Richard himself or Batman. In fact, it was Lavina Vikander who she wanted to vanquish.

He turned slightly to give her a final reply, "that concerns me and the Court. You should not meddle in this affair too."

***