“I thought it might, but it’s not. That’s what got me dragged in. Some small connection I just had to check out. Then Sinclair showed up, and it’s all spiraled out of control. The problem is, I…I feel for the guy. His situation sucks, and if there’s anyone who knows how bad things can get in our world, it’s me and my kind.”
“I see,” he whispered. “Well. At least I’m the nephew to a king. If I lose my job, I’ll have the resources to continue my lifestyle for my fiancée.”
“Does she have money?” I asked. “Not normal money but money.”
“No,” he said, looking away from me. “No, she doesn’t have old family money. Everything she has, she’s worked for.”
“Oh, so she’s…”
“Her title was bought and paid for, something my uncle hates, but it’s not his life.”
“Your father would have loved it,” I said gently, seeing the pain in Cassius’ eyes right after I said the word ‘father.’
“My father isn’t around, so his opinion doesn’t matter.” Cassius backed out of the door, freeing me from the little cage of a bedroom. “Let’s find you something to eat.”
I felt bad. I knew better than to mention his father. I was there, along with every Executioner and Investigator, every guard, and every Tribunal member, the day it was announced by Cassius’ uncle that the Fae King had walked away from his family, his throne, and his spot on the Tribunal. Cassius was expected to rule, to lead, but he turned his back on the duties his father had unfairly and suddenly left for him. It led to Cassius’ uncle, a fae named Oisin, to take the position. It was still a fresh, open wound as well. Not even a century had passed, and no one knew where the previous Fae King had run off to.
I wondered for a moment if Cassius ever tried to contact Oberon, his grandfather. If anyone could find the wayward one, it would be the Old Fae, the first King and his Queen.
Not my business and he would kick me out for asking. I need his help, so I’ll put my curiosity in a box and pretend I wasn’t thinking about it.
Walking into the kitchen together, Cassius took his seat at the breakfast counter. I checked the time on the fancy clock above the door and saw it was only noon.
“What’s the plan?” he asked as Leith quietly put a plate in front of him. The butler placed a plate in front of me next. I started nibbling on the chips, considering Cassius’ question.
“I need to get back to my house tonight. Before you say that’s a terrible idea, because I know it is, just know I have an Indian cobra under my care right now. I don’t have my cell phone or any of my things. I need to see the damage and if they’ve stolen anything.”
“I can agree that it’s vital, even though it is a terrible idea,” Cassius conceded. “We can make the trip tonight, but I want to bring this Raphael along. I’m not leaving him alone with people in my care.”
“Of course. We’re taking one of your rides, though. Did you see my poor Aston Martin?”
“I saw. Do you need help replacing it? I’m certain the Tribunal will shell out to replace a cellphone.”
“They’ll owe me two cars, too, once I finish my report and send in my expenses. I don’t need their help with that. I just want to be petty. Sinclair wouldn’t be a problem if they had let me kill him twenty-five years ago when I literally had him in my hands.”
“Oh, joy. I have to be friends with the only Executioner who likes sticking the middle finger up to our bosses,” he mumbled, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Not the only one, just the best at it,” I retorted. Most of the Executioners had something wrong with them. The Tribunal was smart. Their Executioners were mean, deadly, and pissed off most of the time. Morally grey at the best of times unless being a good guy suited our self interests. I didn’t know a single Executioner who didn’t take the job for more than one reason. It allowed us to kill in a world where kill or be killed was the Law we lived by. Being sanctioned saved a lot of trouble.
“Point made,” he said when his mouth wasn’t full. “Narumi is much more cunning and underhanded about it.”