positions at either end of our line. We chose to remain standing. Despite the slight misstep earlier, Axton had agreed to follow my lead before leaving our home, trusting that I had more experience with the political maneuvering than they did.
As time ticked by, I allowed part of my mind to wander, but my eyes remained locked on the closed door in front of us. Old theories cycled, and I rubbed the raised area on my wrist absently. One thing I knew for sure was that we needed to find some way to rid ourselves of the trackers without rendering them useless. While we were merely numbers before, we'd drawn too much attention to ourselves. I had too many plans to be hampered by someone looking into my activities.
An idea struck. Perhaps…
The corner of my lips curled up.
Chapter Three
The door flew open, revealing yet another frowning Guard. The number of greys started bothering me, and I took a second to peek at the monster within. My plan to keep it subdued suddenly seemed like a terrible idea. It floated on its back with its feet kicking softly as it circled the well.
"Grim Groupings Healani, Mannix, follow me," the grouchy Guard barked.
We formed a line on our way through the door. When we first entered, I could see nothing but the grey material that draped the Guard, but as he sped up and the distance between us grew, I spotted the ugly decor of the King's front office. Larger than our entire unit, his purple office walls were filled with images of himself. The furniture consisted of pieces imported from other planets and even included one of the hard, oddly shaped couches designed for the Sirens of Pu'luan. The cupped seats were rather majestic looking under the viscous liquid that covered their world, but for a Reaper's ass, it was quite painful and unforgiving. It was also highly illegal for the rest of us since owning off-planet items was strictly forbidden.
Beyond the Guards and us, no other living beings were in the room. We waited a while longer before the King performed his grand entrance. Everything was always a show to him. The comical thing about it was that he didn't even realize that his own pride and need to be adored made him more predictable than one should be. In fact, I couldn't believe no one hadn't assassinated him yet. It would be far too easy.
When he arrived, the formerly silent room became saturated with the flurry of his personal Guards, a few Masters, a handful of Assemblians, and to my growing concern, a few of the higher Angels. While I'd expected everyone else, the inclusion of Angels in Reaper business struck a warning bell within, shaking my entire body.
They shuffled around, with most of them trying to fit in the space behind the King's desk. Master Akai didn't adhere to the same ass-kissing formula they did and stood at the end of the row, clearly waiting to be dismissed.
"King Zet Lorian, King of Enyre, Conqueror of Anilia, Deliverer of Peace, Heart of Orusian," one of his assistants announced as the King walked to his chair.
Grim Grouping Mannix and the Guards bowed, their bodies nearly folding in half as they waited to be released from the uncomfortable position. I hesitated, counting to ten in my brain before dipping my head as though I were looking to see if I'd stepped in tig shit. Bowing meant respect, and I had very little for the Reaper before me. I'd be damned before I gave him anything that he didn't deserve.
When the King waved his hand, I straightened up. Master Akai broke from the crowd and hurried towards me. We still hadn't had a chance to discuss whatever he wanted. He had made an appointment with us, but that was set for a few binals away. It left me in limbo, unsure of where I stood with him.
Before he helped us escape the dungeon, I knew what he was. At least, I knew what to expect, even if parts of him confused me. But afterwards, I'd lost that surety, and it left me almost bereft, as though I'd suffered the death of someone. Of course, he hadn't died, and he hadn't been taken away. His actions, and the feelings he pushed on me, forced chips in the prism through which I viewed the deceptively tiny Reaper that raised me. The cracks made everything feel as if I walked on shaky ground, and I