Dewdrop’s expression moved through a variety of unsettling expression. First pride as if acknowledging his achievements, then worry, followed by a thinly veiled panic as he stared up at Gregory with a frozen expression.
“My wanted list,” Gregory clarified in case they hadn’t understood what he’d meant by the word list. “Men.”
Tate slid in front of Dewdrop before anyone could get any stupid ideas about arresting him. “That’s enough of that now. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to arrest the Lord Provost’s guests.”
At least she really hoped not.
“It depends on if they break my prisoners out of their carefully arranged cells,” Gregory said, not looking like he was backing down.
Tyne folded his arms and leaned against the wall. “Shouldn’t he be more worried about the one who escaped?”
Gregory’s expression turned thunderous. He didn’t move but his shoulders, chest, and arms seemed to swell as if he’d grown several inches in every direction.
“What does he mean—the one who escaped?” Storm clouds gathered on Gregory’s face and his voice developed a low bass rumble.
“How many ways can that be interpreted?” Dewdrop asked, squinting at the other man. “He’s gone. Disappeared. Vamoosed.”
An oppressive feeling spilled out of Gregory, confirming a thought Tate had had when the warden puffed up like an animal who’d had a scare.
Sleeper—or at least descended from one.
“You’ll repeat it until it makes sense,” Gregory roared.
Dewdrop gave Tate wide eyes. “I think he’s a tad hysterical. I really thought the empire’s people would be a little more collected in these situations.”
Tate sent her friend a quelling look. “Can you please try not to make things more difficult?”
Gregory’s expression had gone from stormy to apocalyptic, the other man in jeopardy of a full-on conniption fit.
“Aren’t you going to do something?” Tate asked Ryu.
He watched events with a small smile on his face. “Why? This is quite entertaining.”
This time, Ryu was the target of Tate’s incredulous look. She’d always known Ryu had a bit of a twisted sense of humor, but she’d never realized it was this bad.
Before the situation could escalate further, a furry creature dropped from the ceiling landing on its feet between Dewdrop and the warden.
Night flicked his ears and lifted a paw, grooming it carefully. The rest of them glanced from the unconcerned Veles to the hole now present in the ceiling above the stair where Night had landed.
“I don’t think that was there before,” Dewdrop observed in a neutral tone of voice.
Tate chanced a peek at Gregory’s face only to find the man’s head down, his expression hidden. Anger practically rolled off him in waves, buffeting the rest of them.
Tate aimed a glare at the Veles. “Why would you do that?”
Because it’s fun.
Tate shook her head, resisting the urge to slap a hand over her eyes. Why were all the males in her life so vexing?
Ilith stirred.Fun?
No. No fun,Tate told her sternly. She already had a Ryu, a Dewdrop, and a Veles. She couldn’t handle an Ilith too.
Ilith sulked.Stingy. Always wanting the fun to yourself.
Tate rolled her eyes mentally at the crazy dragon. She didn’t pay much attention as the door behind the warden opened silently, and a man stepped through.
“Can someone explain to me what in the Creators’ nightmares is going on here?” Gregory asked through gritted teeth.
