paraded through my mind, each one more gruesome and infinitely more satisfying than the last.
Grace was reciting some practiced lie when I barked out, “You're required to stay here now. Until the duration of the Office ends, I require my Liaison and Logistics Officer to remain at my side, available for immediate recall.”
I spun and snatched my cloak off the hook, yanking it on and straining the fabric's edges with my rough movements. When I reached the door, I turned back and noticed she still stood with the trio.
Trace glowered. Axton stared at nothing, a pensive look on his face. Kian kept fiddling with his hands as if he wanted to do something but had no idea what would help. And Grace? She peered at the ground, her shoulders slumped, and her fingers trembling where they stuck out of her sleeves.
“Let's go get your shit! You're moving in!” I yelled.
Grace started, her eyes darting to me before she hurried in my direction. The prey-like movements did nothing to calm me, but I reminded myself that she hadn't done anything, not really. Trapped in a system where certain traits meant different rules, she'd only trained herself to survive, and I couldn't fault her for that, even if I didn't understand it.
She rushed out, then paused, waiting on me. I gave one last look at the trio, and each one offered me a nod, answering the burning question in my gaze. I would hear no arguments from any of them.
The door slammed behind me, and I marched down the short path before turning towards the direction where the Angels were concentrated. I had little hope that the walk would cool me down. In fact, as I contemplated how they'd taken advantage of her nature, I only grew closer to reaching down and gripping the waiting arm of my monster.
Grace and I had a similar upbringing in many ways, but she'd picked a different path. Where she tried to disappear and submitted, hoping to avoid the pain, I'd used it to slowly transform myself into someone that accepted it. Indeed, I leaned into it at times. No matter what I did, the pain came eventually, so why make it simpler for them?
Perhaps I had it easier, though. Even if I had to deal with the punishments doled out at the DNB—at least as an adult—I could usually remain safe in my home. And, while I didn't excuse what had been done to me as a child, I understood Master Akai's motivations.
I could see no reason why treating Grace in such a manner would be any benefit. No, her father felt shame that she didn't have the same abilities as the other Angels, and while he hadn't killed her like most others did, I had no doubt that he wanted her dead. I also knew he'd sent her to be a spy and that he'd used her in such a way before.
Master Akai and Power Michealson, two males on opposite sides of the line that sought to control and employed their wards in the games of politicians.
Perhaps it's time to step up to the board and take away the pawns of these old males, starting with Power Michealson.
As I flipped up my hood, a guttural laugh floated through my head, and I smiled.
Chapter Forty-Three
I needed to meet with Con and test his portal before I started sending the trio on dangerous and illegal trips off-planet. That's what I should have been doing. Instead, I stood in the doorway to Grace's room, bouncing on my toes and shaking my hands as I waited.
“You're making me nervous,” Grace said as she floated across the room, dragging a bag behind her.
I turned just in time to catch her wince and clutch her ribs before forcing a blankness to appear on her face. I wanted to help her, but that would mean moving away and into the room. That would confine me too much, cage me into a small box, and I had plans.
I shifted back around, redirecting my gaze towards the door. “Sorry, I can't seem to be still right now. Just take whatever you'll require for an extended stay, and we can leave. And be sure to grab anything that you don't want destroyed.”
Her father would rage once he discovered she wouldn't be under his thumb for a long while. No more grilling her for dirt on the Reapers. No more using her to release his anger like she was just some practice bag.
I heard a