I didn’t answer him as I strode straight through the Second and started climbing back up to the First.
You’re upset, I can tell,Luca spoke again after a moment. Why couldn’t I shut him out?Don’t you want to talk about it? Wouldn’t it make you feel better to get it off your chest?
I can handle my own emotions. I don’t need you to regulate them for me,I snapped.
There’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help from time to time. Tell me what happened.
No.
With one enormous mental shove, I pushed Luca out of my mind.
I slammed the gate a little too loudly behind me on my way into House Avus, sending a few kids playing outside scattering. I didn’t care. I just kept going until I found Paxon standing dutifully outside of Milo’s study as always. He looked surprised to see me, eyes going wide seconds before they narrowed and his posture stiffened.
“He’s busy,” he said before I’d even fully approached.
“I’m not here for him,” I replied. “You used to get with that Viper. Bade.”
His eyes blew wide and he glanced down the hall to make sure no one had heard.
“Geist, Olympia,” he cursed.
I ignored his concern and worded my next statement so he knew it wasn’t a request.
“Tell me how to get into Viper.”
Chapter Nine
Milo
The Heir of a Major House inviting a group of former Third Ringers to dinner wasn’t just out of the ordinary, it was inconceivable. So I’d had the food brought up to the study while everyone else was eating together in the dining room.
I didn’t need the rest of my family attempting to snoop on our conversation or making the Bexleys feel uncomfortable with their unforgiving contempt and patronizing glares. I certainly didn’t need them overhearing anything which hinted at another rebellion. For now, Olympia and I were the only ones aware of that symbol resurfacing and I wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.
I ordered Paxon away for the evening and went straight to the kitchen myself. It took the assistance of a few nearby acolytes to carry the various trays back up the stairs without being seen by my family but I’d managed it.
Now I stood in front of a long dining table they’d moved out of storage and covered with a pale blue tablecloth. Eyeing the place settings and chairs arranged around it, I wondered if it was too much or, perhaps, not enough. Though I hadn’t been entirelyhonest regarding the true intentions of this meeting, I did care about these people. I had been friends with Adrian, after all. I’d seen how fiercely she loved them with all her heart. To honor her memory, I would respect them as equals to the best of my ability, starting tonight.
“What do you think you’re doing?” someone hissed suddenly.
I turned to find Bria storming into the study, finger pointed right at my chest. I peered past her once to see Nick standing in the doorway, slack jawed. I waved him away and watched as he closed the door, leaving me alone with the irate acolyte.
“Bria, how lovely to see you,” I said, ignoring her fury in favor of a friendly welcome. “Have you heard back from any of the correspondences I asked you to send?”
“You know damn well I haven’t,” she snapped.
“Ah, cursing isn’t very pious, is it? That behavior is not befitting an acolyte of your position.”
“Milo.”
She stepped in front of me, hands on her hips and nostrils flaring.
“You’re going to have to be more specific, I’m afraid,” I replied easily, folding my hands in front of me patiently.
She made an exaggerated gesture at the table beside me.
“Dinner?” I asked.
“With the Bexleys,” she snapped.
