“I’m all ears,” Wraith prompted.
“I have an arrangement with Cole. Kieran offered me and my friend his protection, which is why Cole was angry with him. But, before that, Cole offered to end my contract if I brought him the Weylain Charm,” Sera said, her voice strong despite the uncertainty in her chest. Her fingers itched to squirm, but she held them tightly at her sides. “He’s desperate to get it, enough to threaten my life for the failure to retrieve it. And, I believe, it’s so that he can act without drawing your notice to his intentions.”
Wraith was silent for a moment, each second threatening to consume her. “Why would this Charm hide his intentions?”
“It removes the emotions of the wearer. We haven’t tested the theory, but I think it could effectively hide intent from a grimm or demon. If he was planning something, he could get close to you without you realizing until it was too late.”
Wraith’s brows drew together as he listened, though his posture remained at ease. He spoke over steepled fingers. “Where is this Charm now?”
“We don’t know, but—”
“You’ll find it,” he said, not asked. Sera gave a quick nod. “You’ll find it and I’ll send Miles to retrieve it from you. You also mentioned an arrangement?” Wraith asked, his voice somehow deeper, more raspy than before.
“Oh.” The question surprised her, and she stumbled to think of a response. Sera glanced at Kieran, but he inclined his head, encouraging her to continue. Sera straightened her spine. She could do this. She would sort out the warm, giddy feeling of someone having confidence in her later. “Cole offers protection and gifts, in exchange for… various services. But he doesn’t allow you to leave once you’ve entered his service.”
“And how does he ensure that?” Wraith pressed.
“Threats, mostly. He can find people, and uses his various sources to hunt down anyone who leaves. But he’s not above ensuring cooperation by… physical means, if necessary. Let’s just say, there was a reason I didn’t run until I had outside help.”
Wraith went quiet, drawing a finger around his mouth while he seemed to think through her words. Sera didn’t know if she should speak again, but the quiet in the room had become unbearable.
Her fingers began to flex, though she kept them firmly at her side. She was too nervous to move them the way her body called to do. Kieran’s hand closed around the outside of her fist, holding there for several seconds while the urge to fidget lessened.
She looked at him, expecting his normal apathetic stare, but there was intensity in his eyes. Buried deep in the silver so that his face remained impassive, but she could sense that he was struggling. And she suspected it had something to do with her confession about Cole.
She twisted her hand, clasping his and he looked down at her with the barest turn of his head.
Shit. He was furious. All appearances suggested his breathing was calm, but she could see the strain to maintain that appearance in each slow inhale. She felt the barest tremble where she held his hand. Her own breath caught as her heart clenched—then nearly stopped completely when Wraith shot to his feet.
It was not an easy task forgetting that Thaddeus Wraith was in a room.
“Well. This has been… enlightening.” Wraith’s expression was far graver than when he entered. He worked his tongue at his teeth, his eyes still cast elsewhere. “I try to allow a fair bit of trust in those I employ. Do your job, don’t lie to me, and I stay out of your private affairs.” His jaw strained, like he was clenching.“It’s inevitable that some less than tasteful transgressions slip through the cracks. I know the business I’m in. I know the people I associate with. But they know what I expect, and it seems Hawthorne has taken some liberties.” He nodded at Sera. “I apologize for my associate. Though, I do intend to explore your claims before I take any action, it’s clear that his leash has gotten a little too loose.”
Sera blinked.What was happening? “Thank you?”
“No, thank you, Miss Blair.”
Sera hesitated, unsure how to respond and her body mechanically dipped into an almost imperceptible curtsy.
“I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.”
“But… what about the threat to you?” She asked, still not able to understand what was happening, because it sounded like Wraith was pissed off that his subordinate was trapping people into manipulative arrangements, and not so much about the intended coup.
“Oh, that’s on the list. But,” he slipped his hands in his pockets, leveling her with a pointed stare, “either way, your problems with him will end.”
“What do you intend to do?” She asked, before she could stop the question.
Wraith’s golden eyes flickered with a danger that made her shiver. “Best not to ask.”
“Mr. North,” Wraith acknowledged with a nod. “Thank you for meeting with me, even if it wasn’t a choice. Still working on those iron initiatives?”
“Inclusivity starts in the infrastructure. It’s my priority,” Kieran said, voice controlled.
“I’ll make sure the demon and grimm reps know which side to support in the future.”
Kieran only nodded.
“But, uh, while I’m thinking on it, it’d be polite if I could expect you to reciprocate, should my kind ever need a law adjusted.”
