I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Malik was a demon. A creature of darkness. A manipulator.
But this? This man sat with Rosie, holding her like she was something precious—he appeared human.
Not like the darkness at all.
Malik pressed his palms on either side of his plate and met my eyes.
His expression shifted. Somber. Stony. Carved from ancient granite.
“I assume you are ready with questions,” he observed. “Am I correct in thinking this?”
My tongue twisted into knots at the sheer sternness of his demeanor.
“Y-y-yes,” I stammered.
I winced and quickly cleared my throat. “Yes, we’re ready.”
Malik gave a nod. “What are your questions?”
He scooped something from his plate, placed it on his fork, and slid it into his mouth, chewing with infuriating leisure.
I looked at Emily, who remained cautiously silent, then turned back to him.
“We only have two questions,” I said, steadying my voice. “Where is the journal, and what is a Timebound?”
I nodded to myself, satisfied with my composure. No stammering this time.
Malik continued chewing.
He took another bite.
And then another.
Each movement—each long, calculated chew—felt designed to crawl under my skin.
My impatience bristled, rising like a horde of marching ants.
I clenched my fists. “Are you going to answer me?”
Malik reached for his goblet and took a sip of hard cider. Then, without so much as a glance in my direction, he forked another bite of beef.
I gritted my teeth.
“Are you?” I pressed, leaning forward.
Emily shot me a warning glance.
I shook my head. I was done with this darkness fucking with my mind.
My patience snapped.
“Answer me!”
Malik raised an elegant eyebrow and swallowed his mouthful.
“I’m not finished yet,” he said smoothly.
