"We have an appointment with Rhoan Jenson."
"If you'd like to take a seat, I'll inform him you're here."
"Thanks." I walked over to the square of comfy chairs situated to one side of the foyer and sat, legs crossed. I was still wearing the shift dress, so a decent amount of thigh was revealed. But if Azriel noticed, he gave no indication—either physically or mentally. I squashed the sliver of disappointment and said, "Why have you been so absent?"
He half shrugged, the movement casual and eloquent. "I have no wish to be near when you are with the Aedh."
"Granted, but what about before that? When I was at the café, and Tao exploded?"
"You obviously had everything under control. I did not see the need to interfere."
In other words, he'd been too pissed off to interfere. I sighed. "Azriel, this distancing is not the answer."
"Is it not what you wished for?"
I studied him for a moment, wondering if he was deliberately being obtuse. "You can't solve a problem by ignoring it."
"Unless I try, I will never know."
"Surely there has to be a better way—"
"No." It was sharply said, with an air of finality.
And it made me suspect there was more to this pull between us—more than just assimilation—that worried him. But, as ever, he didn't deign to confirm or deny the thought—though I had no doubt he'd heard it.
Footsteps echoed softly on the highly polished concrete floor. I turned and watched Rhoan approach. His expression was grim as he stopped a couple of feet away. "We have ten minutes."
He spun and walked back to the lifts. I hurried to catch him. His tension and anger stung the air and snatched at my breath.