Darkblood Prison - G.K. DeRosa Page 0,12

demon, let’s see what we can do with you.”

“How’d it go?” Talon sat on a bench outside the interrogation room when I finished. Luckily, scary AF Maxim hadn’t conducted the interview. Some other mousey SIA agent had asked me a couple questions, but it was all very informal. Too easy, if you asked me. All that practicing of Garrix’s spell seemed to be for nothing.

“It was fine. The girl said we could go and that the director would be in touch for the next step.”

He rose and pointed me in the direction of what I assumed was the exit. “Good. Like I said, this was preliminary. They’ll probably run a background check since you grew up in the human world. That’ll be easy enough.”

“Right.” Thanks to Garrix for fudging my identity. “Thank you for standing up for me back there with the director. I guess I haven’t said it, but I do appreciate what you’re doing and for finally believing in me.”

His brows furrowed, and his gaze dipped to the floor. “Azara, I said those things because I don’t believe you belong behind bars, but don’t misunderstand me, I still don’t trust you.”

A stab pierced my heart and my throat tightened, a huge lump blocking my airway.

“I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I want to be honest with you. You deserve at least that.”

I hated that he could likely feel the hurt coursing through my insides. That he knew the effect his words had on me. We passed a door marked restroom, and I ducked inside. “Bathroom,” I shouted over my shoulder as hot tears filled my eyes.

Dragon dickhead! I stared at my miserable reflection in the mirror and dragged a hand through my hair. I couldn’t believe I actually thanked him. Just when I thought he was being decent, he’d do something like this. That was it. I was done with Talon. Screw the blood bond.

When I emerged from the ladies’ room a few minutes later, Talon was leaning against the wall talking to a blonde female. One of the biggest smiles I’d ever seen split the irritable dragon’s lips. The girl had her back to me and was giggling away, her platinum head bobbing back and forth. Judging by her long legs, lithe frame, and pointy ears, she was definitely a noble Fae, unlike my cute lesser Fae friend, Flix.

I cleared my throat and stomped toward the overly friendly pair, but neither batted an eye in my direction. “Ready when you are,” I called out a little too cheerily.

The blonde finally turned, and my jaw almost hit the floor.

“Azara?” Her eyes were as wide as mine must have been.

What in the world was my Fae cousin doing at SIA headquarters? She could not be the Ella whose clothes I was currently wearing, could she?

Talon glanced over at Ella, and with his attention diverted, I shook my head like a madwoman at my cousin. “You know my prisoner?” he asked.

The look of shock which surely mirrored my own vanished, and an expressionless mask slipped in its place. “No, of course not. You must have mentioned her name or maybe the director did.”

Talon’s dark brows furrowed as he glanced back and forth between the two of us. My gaze dropped to the floor, hoping to evade those scrutinizing silver orbs.

I’d only met Ella once when we’d visited my mom’s half-sisters who ruled Spring Court like ten years ago. But thanks to social media between the realms, I’d recognize her anywhere. Still, what was she doing here?

My cousin eyed me, her unusual lilac eyes skimming over me. “I’m glad the clothes fit.”

“Oh, right. Thanks for that.” I stretched my hand out and forced what I hoped was a convincing smile. “Ella, right?”

She nodded but avoided my out-stretched hand. “Talon’s told me a lot about you. I’m eager to see your powers in action.”

“All good things, I hope.”

Talon quirked a brow, and I remembered I was supposed to be mad at him. I slipped my hand in my pocket, and my fingers grazed the cold metal of my prison cuff. Perfect. “Um, Talon. I think I left my cuff in the interrogation room. Can you go check?”

“I’m not your maid, one thir—Azara . We can go together to look for it.”

Ella’s hand lifted to Talon’s shoulder and glided down his arm. An unexpected pang of jealousy lit up my insides. “I’ll watch her, T. It’ll be faster if you go alone so you can avoid the security checks again.”

“I guess.” He jabbed