“Or do you disagree with the decision of the Aureal Council?” Grayson clips out, raising a mocking eyebrow.
Dana flinches, eyes downcast to her wringing hands. “No, sir,” she almost whispers.
“Well, now that that’s settled, I want you all to be careful when you go out on your hunts. Be vigilant; anything that seems out of the ordinary, you will report directly to me. Starting tonight, you will hunt in pairs and not only look out for demons but for my grandson as well. The teams will rotate every week. After the meeting, Timothy will send you the new schedules and team assignments for this month. Questions?”
Where were these measures when I got attacked by the umbra?I want to ask, but don’t. I wonder if he would have done the same if any other hellseeker disappeared or if he would have even cared ifIdid. Deep down, I know the answer; it’s kind of staring me in the face. I just don’t want to acknowledge it right now. I don’t know if I can handle another emotional beating.
Paula, Raquelle’s wife, is the first one to break the silence. “For how long is this going to last?”
“It’s indefinite, until the Aureal Council decides it’s time to go back to normal.”
“What did the demons that attacked Iris look like?” Hank, Dr. Corey’s son, asks in a gravelly voice across from Noah. He hasthe same deep, umber complexion as his father, but his hair is longer, touching the middle of his back, styled in dreadlocks. The blond is so ashy it almost looks silver.
“Iris?” Grayson gestures to me, shrewd eyes fixated on my face. “Can you please let everyone know what they should look out for?”
Heat burns the back of my neck as I become the center of attention again. I clear my throat. “The demons consisted entirely of shadows. They had bat wings and resembled decaying corpses with mostly bones showing through the rotting flesh.”
“The situation on the streets hasn’t changed, though. Aside from a few lesser demons and zombies, we almost haven’t encountered any demonic presence for over two months. I mean, I’m not complaining…but it’s weird,” Raquelle intervenes.
Collective sounds of approval come from almost everyone in the room.
“I know. All your reports are the same. The Aureal Council is working hard on this matter. Any other questions or observations?” After a few beats of silence, Grayson says, “The meeting is adjourned.” Spine rod straight, he pushes up from the chair at the head of the table and strides out of the room.
I’m relieved; I was expecting him to ask me to stay behind again so he could ask me questions. Before I can move from my chair, Noah’s warm hand wraps around my elbow. There’s not even a tiny spark at the touch, an absence which makes my eyebrows knit. Apparently, Kaiden’s betrayal has made me immune to all men, even to Noah. I can’t say I’m not relieved, though. I’ve had enough drama these past few months to last me a lifetime.
“I guess we should talk,” I say before he opens his mouth.
He drops his hold on me to rake a hand through his sandy-blond hair. “I would prefer you meet me in the training room so we could spar instead.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Why?”
Determination is etched in the lines around his mouth as he responds, “Because I don’t think you’ve changed that much, Iris. And before I left, we were always able to settle our differences in combat.”
“Fine. I have to pass by my locker to change, and then I’ll join you.” I wasn’t planning on training today because of my ribs, but I can’t refuse Noah’s request. I actually think it’s a good idea. It’s not the first time I’ll train while injured, and to be honest, I desperately need to blow off some steam. I’ve been moping these past few days like a simpering fool—a shadow of my old self. I need badass Iris to show her face again so I can finally move on with my life.
“I’ll go warm up,” Noah says, standing.
I offer a toothless smile. “’Kay. See you in a bit.”
12
Iris
After I change into my training clothes, I make my way toward the library. Noah can wait. I wanted to do this the second I entered through the massive doors of the compound. However, Grayson’s meeting and my nerves held me back. I can’t shake Adramelech’s words off anymore, though, like I’ve been doing all week. They sink their hooks in me with every second that passes.
There’s a ledger Lucifer likes to keep with every single hellseeker death caused by a demon since the initiation of the Order. Your mother’s name is not there. I would know; I’m the one writing in it.
My footsteps reverberate loudly in the vast space as I stride toward my aunt. She’s perched on a ladder, sliding books backinto their place on the intricate white shelves. The sun’s rays filtering through the stained-glass windows illuminate her form, and I have to blink a few times to adjust to the bright light when I look up.
She casts me a glance. “Iris, dear. I’ve missed you. I haven’t seen you all week.”
“Hey, Auntie. I’ve been busy.” Busy wallowing in my self-pity. The thing I’m most ashamed of—on top of not even trying to stretch or train these past few days—is that I didn’t have it inme to go on my shifts. I would have continued rotting in bed if it weren’t for Sam. Thank God I have her. I can’t believe I’ve missed sixshifts in a row. I guess my truancy is ending now, though. I’ll have an assigned partner to keep me accountable.
“Can you pass me those two books at the top of the pile?”
“Sure,” I say and approach the cart, then stretch to hand her the books she asked for.
“Thanks! It shouldn’t take me more than an hour to put all these away if you want to grab lunch.”
