Who would care so much for a complete stranger? Especially one who tried to rob you…
What kind of name was Sin, anyway? Who the hell named their child that? And holy shit, did it not match his job. A Zaytari boss named Sin—Cecil would have thought it was a joke if it hadn’t come directly from the man’s own mouth.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
The smooth voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “Pft, I’m not afraid of you.”
“I swear on my honor, you are safe with me. Whatever you have stolen in the past, while wrong, can be forgiven due to your circumstances. Though, I will say this. I believe your crimes have been voided, as the men no doubt were perfectly aware you were underage.”
Cecil plastered a sweet, but very fake, smile on his face. “It was my first time.”
Sin chuckled. “You lie quite well, little one.”
As his face heated, he glared and snapped, “I’m eighteen, asshole, and I’m not little!”
“Language,” the man said in a disapproving tone. “Your age now is irrelevant. The fact remains that for the majority of your…activities, you were not of age to give consent. Those men cannot claim innocence in this, as they were old enough to know better.”
Because Sin only had proof of one crime so far, ratherthan admitting Sin was right, Cecil asked, “What is it with you and swearing?”
“I find crude language unnecessary. Emotions can be expressed fully and accurately without the use of such words,” Sin informed him with a soft smile. “Now, as I have answered quite a few of your questions, I would appreciate it if you would answer a few of mine.”
Cecil’s back tensed painfully. This was it—the man was going to dig for information to use against him.
“There is no need to be so suspicious, Cecil. While the questions I have are not pleasant, your answers will not be used against you. Contrary to what you believe, Iamtrying to help.”
“We’ll see,” Cecil snorted.
“You do not know me, so I can accept your distrust for now. First off, I need to inform you of what the healers discovered. Your…” Sin trailed off, frowning at a muffled ringing. “Apologies,” the man said before pulling a phone out of his jacket.
Gods, Sin was annoyingly polite. Whatever, at least the questions had been stalled—if only for a few minutes. Cecil shifted nervously when Sin’s brow rose and his gaze slipped to him.
“Benji, what… I see. Yes, well, I will ask him. One moment.” Sin pulled the phone away from his ear and looked fully at him.
Before Sin could say anything, Cecil asked, “What?”
“Benji has found…something in your bathtub. An arcanid, to be exact. Is it yours?”
Oh, shit—Drop. How the hell had he forgotten? Cecil was a bit surprised the little bugger was still kicking. Butshould he admit it was his? It wasn’t exactly normal to leave an arcanid running around. Usually they carried out their purpose immediately after creation and then dissolved.
Well, he couldn’t let them leave it there…or have them destroy it. It was his—Drop was his. Real or not, Cecil couldn’t let anyone have it.
“It’s mine,” he admitted.
“I see,” Sin mused carefully before bringing the phone back to his ear. “Benji, it is his, bring it with you.” The man paused and said, “Yes, I see. Cecil, it is refusing to leave.”
Cecil rolled his eyes and held out his hand for the phone. At least, he now knew Drop actually listened to him.
Phone in hand, he ordered, “Benji, yeah, hi. Hold the phone up to it, will you?”
“Uhh, okay,” Benji muttered.
When Cecil heard a chirp, he smiled. “Drop, be good and listen to the man, okay?” After another chirp, which Cecil assumed was it agreeing, he handed the phone back to Sin.
The man said a few words and then hung up, his full attention returning to Cecil. “So, as I was about to say… The healers found some anomalies. Your healing abilities are diminished. They don’t believe it will be permanent though. However, I feel we all know why that is the case.”
Gee, who would have guessed that being constantly injured would fuck something up?
“You know, I haven’t heard a question yet. I’m starting to wonder if you really have any,” Cecil drawled.
