My head snapped up, and Master Akai nodded while still speaking about the responsibilities Masters had to those under them. I wanted to listen, but my eyes drifted back down to the shaking paper in my hands. I knew the King wished me gone, but to actually see my death plotted out made it more real somehow as if the King himself would materialize and thrust a knife in my gut right then.
“Well, I suppose I should ask if you have any other official questions? I'm expected soon,” Master Akai said, rapping on his desk as he did.
My gaze shot up and found his. “Not at this point. Once again, I appreciate all the information and time you've given me.”
“Wonderful. If you have any further need for assistance, as I mentioned before, I am available as are any of the other Master of Masters. We know the transition can be difficult, so we strive to provide all new Masters with the resources required. Now, I do have to ask, in an unofficial capacity, how are you doing with Grouping Mannix? Still working well together?”
Apparently, it was pretend family time. I didn't care, though. Not with my mind still chewing on the King's plan. “We are. They've been kind enough to agree to assist with the OMIEB.”
“Good. The Angel?”
“We've not had an issue. I believe she will be an asset.”
He nodded again and smoothed out his cloak. When he reached for his ferrule, I knew my time had come to an end.
“Excellent.” He rose and slipped the ferrule into his pocket before gesturing towards the door. “It was nice to see you again, Zella. Perhaps I will contact you to schedule dinner at one of the eateries after you get through the initial rush of starting a new Office.”
I'd stood the moment his hand swept towards the exit. We walked with him slightly in front of me as his position dictated. I didn't quite know how to respond or even feel about this new Master Akai that seemed to care if I died. Was he trying to be more fatherly? Or was it all still a game to him? He'd played with me like this before, using my desire for a relationship to soften me before crushing me so much that I didn't think my tiny heart would survive.
Of course, I didn't ask. Instead, I said, “That would be lovely. I look forward to it.”
Just when we reached the door, he laid his hand on the knob but didn't open it. No, he turned slightly and leaned towards me, forcing me to bend so he could whisper in my ear. Even so close, I had to strain to hear him.
“Be very careful, but take advantage of anything you can to meet your goal. I would much prefer it if you could rub his scheming in his face. I've taught you how to annihilate your opponent, and I expect nothing less here. Whatever your method of destruction is.” He pulled back, staring up at me with his Reaper-black eyes.
The set of his jaw and pressed lips told me he was serious, but it had been what he hadn't quite said that made me most curious. I'd heard that wording before and still recalled what he'd expected me to do back then. Those questions must have been in my eyes because he jerked his chin down once before yanking the door open and marching off.
I hurriedly took two steps into the hall and stood frozen as I watched him stalk away. My adoptive father had just given me permission… No, he'd instructed me to kill the King. What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?
Chapter Twenty-Six
I couldn't continue standing in a hall, of course. Not when I had so much to do. Still, the thought Master Akai left me with kept running across my mind. Shadow tried to distract me, asking me to explain various symbols and words she spotted as we traveled towards our unit. As nice as that was of her, the attempt did nothing to quell the implications and possibilities of his unspoken orders. Even the extra tabs didn't diminish it. So, I stopped working to control it, allowing the wild scenes to pass through.
Sometimes, the tighter I shut something out, the harder it pushed to be let in. Plans and paths and schedules—all cycled on repeat, each correcting the flaws until a workable idea for an assassination settled. As appealing as the King's death was, that would