on the wind. “Of course, Master.”
He strode ahead, and I hurried after him, unwilling to leave Grace alone for too long. As soon as we entered, I spotted Grace standing awkwardly with the other Masters. They kept a space between them and her. It was likely because she was an Angel, but perhaps some of it was due to her inability to be still. She pushed her hand into her pocket, only to remove it an instant later to push her hair behind her ear. Then she brushed her cloak before sticking her hand back in her pocket.
When she saw me, her teeth released her lip, and her shoulders lost some of their tension. A hint of a smile curled her mouth when I reached her and began herding her into my spot. Her quick, short strides looked like a child dancing.
Once we stopped, Master Akai relayed his report in that cold, calculating manner that ignited a fear response within me. We were in no danger. In fact, he spoke only to the King about the DNB and Enyre in general. But just like the scent of one’s favorite food caused the mouth to water, this tone made me shiver.
Grace leaned towards me slightly, her head dipped, so I jerked my chin up and kept my eyes forward. Her question or observation would have to wait until they dismissed us. She couldn’t afford to draw any attention to herself.
She withdrew and focused on the two Reapers at the front of the office. Something within me sighed a little, and that relieved a bit of guilt that swirled in my well.
“Angel Michealson, report,” the King barked.
Grace glanced at me, once again chewing her lip. My sharp nod prompted her to do as he said.
She rushed towards the desk, her dirty cloak slapping around her legs, but he paid no attention. Instead, his gaze landed on me, and his eyes narrowed. He’d caught that brief look she gave me, asking my permission when he’d given an order.
Grace’s trembling voice tumbled out minor facts and tedious details of the setup, but I couldn’t have told anyone what she said. Likely neither could the King. His focus remained on me, and with each passing moment, his color grew deeper.
I locked myself in place, keeping myself in a resting stance, but I also looked inside. My monster waited, floating in the center of my well, prepared to reach out if I needed help. It gave me a nod, and I withdrew partially.
Able to concentrate fully on the King now, I studied him. Each movement, every twitch, any thoughts that passed through his mind were my guide. Something more than anger over Grace’s slight stirred behind his eyes, and I wondered what it could be. Is he still upset about the books? About me getting away with escaping his dungeon? I bested him, and even though I didn’t want it, I’d advanced. Strangers ask me about the souls, Earth, and indeed my sentence occasionally. Maybe that makes him furious. No, that can’t be it. That was all the same as the last time we met. It has to be about Grace and her looking to me first. He’s King, I’m just a Master. Of course, that pissed him off.
But as Grace ran to the door, dismissed, something about that conclusion didn’t sit right within me. There was more hiding beneath that excuse.
“Master Healani, report,” he spat, and his entirely black eyes followed me as I strode forward.
“Your Majesty, we are progressing towards our goal. As Liaison Grace spoke of, our initiation of the Angels has begun, and I believe that they will assist us further our intentions for both halves of the operation.” There. I said a bunch of words without really saying much at all. The Angels have started, yay. They’ll help. Done. Now I only hope he doesn’t ask for specifics because I can’t remember what I told him last time, nor can I afford to take a peek into my memories.
He stared at me piercingly, and suddenly, I felt stripped bare. Not in the sexy sense or even the gross sensations of an old pervert leering, but in a way that screamed, he understood more about me than I did. He searched for something specific, and without knowing what it was, I got the overwhelming urge to run and hide. Whatever it was he wanted, I knew with absolute certainty that I didn’t want him to discover it.
My face remained blank, and I