She turns, face unreadable, and shakes her head.
Fuck.
For the past year, I’ve been going through a pair of shoes a month because of the shit floors here, and now I’m supposed to go barefoot? This is clearly intentional, and whoever made the call to rob me of my shoes is a dick. My feet are going to be destroyed if I have to walk around like this.
Trying to shake off the surge of anxiety, I pace and come to terms with my situation. I don’t have any control over what happens to my feet, so there’s no point in freaking out about it. I just have to embrace the suck, keep my head down, and survive.
As I pace, my reflection catches my attention, and I let out a deep groan. I look like a disco ball. A mostly-naked disco ball. This was not part of our risk assessment. Even in the dim light of the bathroom, I sparkle and glint like a giant “Shoot Here” sign.
At this point, it’s clear we aren’t the only ones with a plan, and I don’t like that at all.
30
NOT PROPERTY
VEXAR
IGRIP MY flank in mock pain as I follow the Palatian guard through the snaking passageways. Sparks of concern flood my connection with Amara, sending anxiety tickling down the back of my neck. I cannot tell if she is in danger, or just … uncomfortable.
Gods, this is foolish. I should never have let her out of my sight. My knuckles crack as I clench my fists, working to keep myself calm. She has not opened and closed our tether yet. I need to trust that she is fine and that she can handle herself.
Gaius’s office is more suffocating than I remember—the endless array of artifacts now seems less like a curious collection and more like a museum of Gaius’s own insecurities. Every new item, another attempt at filling a void he is incapable of filling any other way. A part of me almost feels bad for the monster—he did not need to become what he is now—but that does not make me want to kill him any less.
“Vexar, what a lovely surprise,” Gaius croons.
Instead of responding, I inspect a shelf of old security devices and give one of them a gentle shove.He really does have a broad collection.With I sigh, I turn and face the stout usurper. Heis sitting behind his stone desk, staring at my shirtless chest with an expression of pinched annoyance.
“Apologies for the lack of clothing, I was not given access to my personal effects,” I say as I gingerly lower myself into one of the stone chairs without invitation. Gaius’s face contorts further as he tries to process my continuing disrespect. This is a delicate dance. If I push him too far, I will get nothing from this meeting. But if I am too respectful, I risk losing the air of a soon-to-be-deposed prince. Leaning back comfortably, I ask, “Do you want to explain why a nurse was allowed into my cell, Gaius?”
His jaw tightens. “While you are under contract here, you will refer to me as Magistrate.”
I wait a beat and dip my head politely. “Apologies, Magistrate. Can you explain why afemalenurse was allowed into my cell?”
A shadow of a smile crinkles his eyes before he quickly hides it with a frown. He is clearly pleased with himself. “The nurse chose to disregard a direct order. I apologize for the situation and my delayed reaction, but my guards failed to notify me until this morning.”Lie.“Iwouldlaunch an investigation, but as we are both aware, you are needed on Vhorath by the end of the week, and that is not a sufficient amount of time to complete an investigation.”Another lie.“Is it safe to assume this is why you requested a meeting?”
I suck my teeth and say, “It is.”
Unfazed by my clear frustration, he leans over the desk and picks up a decanter of water, pouring me a glass before gesturing to it. “Please.”
Keeping my eyes on him, I take the glass and tip the water to my closed mouth. I doubt he would try to poison me, but it is not worth the risk.
Seemingly gratified, he continues. “If youagree, I would like us to forgo the formal investigation and discuss the issue like old friends.”
I twirl the glass and watch the water dance. “Why?”
“I am sure you would rather not draw excess attention to the issue at hand?”
He is right. If I were in the position he believes me to be in, I would be less than eager to parade my broken vow for little more than an explanation. I nod in agreement.
“Excellent. I would like to hearyourside of the story first.” He leans forward eagerly, watching me the way a child watches a wild animal behind a wall of glass. It is unsettling, as if he no longer sees me as a threat. “Let us start from your return to your cell, yes?”
I clear my throat and let a pained expression cross my face as the action shakes my ribs. The flicker of glee behind Gaius’s dark eyes is clear. I have convinced him that I will be easy to kill. That is good.
“I was wounded during my fight,” I explain, keeping my knowledge of his involvement out of the conversation. “I was bleeding and knew I could not receive medical treatment.” I offer him a humorless smile and set the glass on his desk. His expression remains passive, but his eyes never leave my hands. It is clear he still views me as a physical threat, but he is too calm, as if he is not sitting across from a man who could destroy his entire life.
I continue explaining the events that followed my injury, telling him the relevant details up to the point of Amara arriving outside my cell door. All the while, he listens with rapt attention, showing no signs of concern. He should be fearful that his treasonous plan will come to light. He should be anxiously hanging on to my every word, praying I have not figured him out. But instead, his only anxiety is what I am doing with my hands.
I have missed something.
