I remove the block on the void in front of me. Rojun steps through. I place my hand over my chest out of respect. He dips his chin to acknowledge me.
“You’re blocking the void now?” he asks with a raised brow.
“Things have changed.”
He seems to consider my answer before dipping his chin.
“This looks nice,” he says, turning to the newly fixed portal. “You got it up and running quickly. This is why you’re the best dominus I have.” He pats my back as he admires the new brick wall with the graffiti painted on it. It hums with energy, letting everyone around it know it’s working. Tomorrow it will be back in service.
“I still have one portal down,” I admit.
Rojun turns to me. “One portal down is not a crime, Raz. As long as nothing else happens, you’re good.”
I appreciated Rojun. Not many counts would have easily accepted a forsaken dominus in their district, but he gave no real pushback. He’s treated me the same as his other dominus.
I turn to him, raking a hand down my face. “I have to tell you something.”
His gaze narrows. “What is it?”
I quickly tell him about the drudge I killed.
“Fuck,” he growls, turning and pacing in front of me. “How the hell did a drudge get in my territory?”
“It didn’t come through my portal. Someone summoned it here.”
His eyes widen as he pauses in his pacing to stare at me. “Who the hell would do that?”
I didn’t want to tell Rojun about Nasiah. Not yet anyway. It’s not that I didn’t trust him; I just wanted to keep her to myself a little while longer.
However, I had to tell him because shit was only going to get worse, and he needed to know what was to come. When I find out who placed that death mark, I wasn’t going to stop and ask permission before I kill them.
“There’s more.” For the next few minutes, I tell him briefly about my bond to Nasiah and how someone is trying to kill her. Rojun remains silent as I speak. When I’m done, he grins from ear to ear.
“Raziel has a human mate?” he tosses his head back and laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day.” He grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Look, you have every right to protect your mate. You have my permission to kill any drudge or whatever that comes after her.”
I didn’t really need his permission, but I appreciated it.
“In fact, since you only got one portal down now, put your focus on who is stupid enough to put a death mark on your girl. Don’t worry about the portal.”
“Thanks.”
He nods before turning and opening an entrance into the void. Before stepping through, he turns to me. “People underestimate you, Raz.”
I wink. “That’s the way I like it.”
He grins before stepping through the void and disappearing.
There was nothing else to do here. I made my way upstairs to let my knights know the portal is off limits until the workers arrive in the morning. After that, I slipped into the void to head to my office. As soon as I step out, I check my watch. It was noon.
This morning Nasiah asked if she could go have lunch with her cousin. As much as I didn’t want to let her out of the house, I knew I had to. We’re finally in a good spot. She trusts me, and I have to show her I trust her. Now, I’m not stupid, so Erazel is with her and this time, he will stay on this side of the void.
Checking in with him, I ask. “How’s it going?”
“Pretty good. Although I think she doubts my ability to keep her safe.”
