drawer slide across the tracks behind me, then the scratching and shuffling as she pulled everything out of it. Another drawer, more shuffling.
The door banged open, slapping against the wall twice as the Angel in the doorway kept a flattened palm on it.
His flushed face appeared nearly copper as all of his blood concentrated in his cheeks. Bulging eyes and throbbing veins didn't look very Angelic to me, but what did I know? He stalked inside, his mouth twisted into a gruesome frown.
When he spotted me, a hitch in his step signaled a battle. His public mask tried to establish inroads, but it failed the instant his foot hit the floor. It suggested that he didn't care what a Reaper thought. In fact, I might have incensed him even more because I was not only the one he'd sent his daughter to spy on, but I'd also taken her away. She'd changed since she'd joined us, and I doubted he appreciated that very much.
Fuck him.
I smiled beneath my hood, feeling my monster pant in anticipation. It would be fed, and it knew that.
“Grace!” he screamed.
The sounds in the room ceased, and a whoosh of fear washed over my back. My monster gobbled it down.
“Power Michealson, as Head Master of the Office—” I started.
“I don't care who you are, child,” he sneered. “I'm here for my daughter. In fact, you have no right to be in my unit.”
He stopped directly in front of me. I had to look up at him, which did nothing to help my mood. His body was so close that his robe mingled with the bottom of my cloak, and his breath flowed over my face.
“And I don't give a shit who you are, pot licker,” I said casually, biting back my urge to just knock the fuck out of him. “Now that we've got that little informational session out of the way, I'll inform you of the Office of the Ministry of Investigations' rights.”
“Oh, the King hands you some tiny crumb that means nothing to anyone, and you've decided you can meddle in Angel affairs? Take your Office and get out of my unit.” He pushed closer until his body pressed against mine.
“So you are higher than the King now? Interesting.” My airy words turned dark as I continued. “Because the King assigned her to me and gave me complete and uninterrupted control of those under my command during the duration of her contract. She.” I reached up and poked him in the chest. “Belongs.” Another word, another poke. “To. Me.”
He leaned down, getting closer and closer as he spoke. “She's my daughter, and an Angel, not a filthy Reaper that wallows in the disgusting depravities of death. You don't own her.”
I just watched him, never moving, never cowering from his wild eyes or spittle-covered words. I would have to wash my cloak, though.
“Liaison Michealson, I don't hear you gathering your things in there,” I called out, never taking my eyes away from her father. “Power Michealson, as Head Master of the Office of the Ministry of Investigations, Earth Branch, I require the service of one Liaison Michealson until such time as our contract has been completed—as are my rights in section sixteen, paragraph five of the Rules and Regulations manual, OMIEB edition one. If you interfere with those rights, I have been empowered to detain you for questioning, Harvesting, and any other method I deem necessary to carry out my duties. I advise you to stand down.”
He didn't listen, of course. I hadn't really wanted him to, either, but if anyone questioned my decisions later, I wanted to make sure that I couldn't be found at fault. I might not give a shit about his title, but many would. And those beings would be the ones in charge if Power Michealson decided to press forward with any complaints.
“Tainted Reapers, constantly thinking so highly of yourselves just because one of your own is King. Well, let me tell you something, creature,” he spat out before getting even closer. His nose rubbed against mine, and he tried to push me as he finished educating me. “Reapers are carrion, feeding on the suffering of others. None of you deserve the power that you have, and it won't always be the way. Things are changing, and I will make sure you're the first to fall.”
His lesson complete, he suddenly jerked back then shoved me. I stumbled slightly, and my monster took advantage of the flash of embarrassment and self-anger.