of his cloak and used that to scrub the nasty mess off. After I finished, I gave it another rub or two before finally snatching the newly cleaned ferrule from his hand.
When I turned, he cursed me beneath his breath. I just held up the ferrule as I walked away with Grace by my side. Shadow gave me a few taps, trying to warn me from doing anything.
I have no idea why she always thinks I'm going to do something terrible. When I passed a few desks where Investigators sat, I waved the ferrule around in the air wildly and called over my shoulder, “Thanks so much for all your assistance with our questions about everyone, Wen. I'll see you later. I'm sure of it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
We took a quick break to grab a bite to eat, deciding that it would kill time until our appointment with Corin. I discovered that Grace and I were opposites in so many ways. She picked at her food while I shoveled it in. She hid while I watched everybody. She wanted to go through the candidate files, while I just blasted out orders to every Reaper that worked at the DNB, in Investigations, in Research. Well, pretty much everyone that had a valid certification, whether or not they used it. By the end of our meal, I felt sure that she needed to admonish me, but her timid nature wouldn't allow her.
Because we were running late by the time we finished, Grace and I dashed towards the palace. When the gates came into view, I cursed beneath my breath. Without a code, we would have to enter through the primary entrance, and I didn't have the best track record with the Guards.
Grace trailed behind me until we halted before the gate. A look-alike Guard stepped closer but said nothing.
“Master Zella Healani, Head Master of the OMIEB, here for an appointment with Prince Corin. Angel Grace Michealson,” I paused as I tried to recall what her position was called. Did she have a title? I couldn't remember. “Angelic liaison, member of the OMIEB, as a listed guest.”
The Guard bowed slightly, nodded, and retreated to check our names. While he made sure we were permitted, I racked my brain, trying to picture the lines in the rules book. What was her fucking title? That is going to bother me until I remember.
“Both of you have been approved. The instructions attached direct you to Prince Corin's chambers.” The Guard eyed me harder than I liked, probably wanting to fill in the details on whatever wild, royal threesome fantasy he had traipsing through his head.
Scratcher.
The gate creaked open as they let us in. I glanced back, making sure Grace followed and found her even smaller as she tried to disappear. Her plan seemed significantly flawed, though, because it only caused her to stand out more.
As soon as we passed through the palace doors, I slowed, hoping she would catch up with me. She didn't. Instead, I had to reach out and grab her arm before pulling her up beside me. Her short legs barely kept up with my near run as I dragged her into an alcove.
Glancing around, I made sure none of the workers stood nearby before focusing on the hunched Angel. “Stop trying to vanish.”
She peered up at me through hair that almost fully covered her face. “What? I'm not.”
Snapping forward, I came face to face with her as I said, “Stand up straight. This curling into yourself does the opposite of what you want. You aren't hiding. You are only drawing every eye around you because you look like you don't belong.”
She shook her head, and I wanted to growl. No, I wanted to shake her, but that wouldn't be very nice. It probably wouldn't get my point across, either.
She frustrated me beyond belief, and I hated that I even cared. Especially when, despite Shadow's memories, I still didn't fully trust her. None of that seemed to matter, though, because, for some reason, my brain wanted to fix her. It wasn't the first time, and likely wouldn't be the last. Push the feelings away long enough, and they wither.
Nevertheless, I did need her to appear at least somewhat professional. “Look, if you want to roll around the city in a ball on your own time, then go for it, but while you represent the OMIEB, you will pretend that you aren't a frightened child. Tell yourself whatever you require to make it work, I don't