I barely notice it anymore but I'm always conscious of it whenever anyone new is in front of him.
He welcomes, "Valentina." He assesses Brax with a scowl.
I stop a few paces in and curtsey. "Your Majesty." I sneak a glance at Brax to make sure he's showing respect.
He wrinkles his face, then it hardens.
My gut flips. I want to slap him, but it's a typical reaction when anyone sees Kirill for the first time.
At least he tried to hide his reaction quickly.
I nudge him.
He pins his eyebrows together. "What?"
"Bow," I say through gritted teeth.
"Seriously?"
I glare at him, my heart racing so fast I think I might pass out.
Brax groans, then faces Kirill. He bows his head and says with an attitude, "Your Majesty."
"Relax," Kirill orders. Then his gaze and voice turn as cold as frost on water. "You made it through the trial."
Brax's jaw ticks. "If you call a sweat lodge and starvation a trial, sure."
Kirill's scowl intensifies. "You're here because you survived, not because you understood."
"He did," I insist, worried I'm going to be in trouble.
Kirill's voice softens. "You did your part, Valentina. However, it's clear the importance of the Underworld hasn't sunk in for Brax yet. That's why I've appointed you as his mentor."
He's going to fast-track Brax?
I glance up, confused. "Mentor?"
His gaze cuts to me. "Yes. You, Valentina. You'll oversee his training."
I argue, "That's not protocol. Mentorship is for lower levels. I've already?—"
"The Omni has made its decision," he interjects.
My stomach drops. It's not the first time I've seen someone get fast-tracked into higher positions within the Underworld. Sean made sense since he's the Chosen One. ButBrax? Why is he so special? And why is it only men I've seen get fast-tracked? I've been working for years, and it's not fair. So I insist, "He's not ready. He doesn't even?—"
Kirill raises a hand, silencing me. "Then make him ready."
Brax laughs under his breath. "You've got the wrong guy. I'm not interested in joining your underground empire."
Kirill walks closer, the room shrinking with every step. "You misunderstand. This isn't an invitation."
4
Brax
APetrov stands in front of me, and I just bowed my head like he's actually royalty.
That detail sits in my gut like a stone, heavy and obnoxious. Petrov is the kind of name you learn to hate before you learn to speak. And I knew Valentina was trouble the moment I laid eyes on her. I never considered she could be an Abruzzo, but I should have with that Italian accent and killer look in her gaze.
