The corner of Rory’s mouth lifted slightly. “I need to speak to Adila, but before that, I need a meeting with everyone here.”
She lifted her eyes to meet Lauren’s. “Why do you need to speak with the Scales of Justice? Better yet,howare you planning to?”
“I’m going to ask her to send me back to Vincula,” she replied, tilting her head. “And I need to tell everyone my plans to leave. After what I put them through, I owe them that.”
Lauren threw her head back, laughing. “You’re just going to waltz into The Capital and demand to speak to Adila? By yourself?”
Taking another drink of coffee, she glared at theAngel. “I thought you or Sam could take me, or at least, get me into The Capital.”
Lauren shook her head. “If what Caius says is true, he and his sister rarely speak. Pair that with the fact that she sentenced him to five-hundred years for a crime he didn’t commit, and I’m guessing she won’t send you back out of the kindness of her heart.”
“Then get me clearance into The Capital,” Rory tried again. “Please.”
“I will not send you to your death.” Lauren stared at her with a dull expression. “Because that’s what going to Adila could mean for you.”
She tried to be patient, but it was hard. She took a few calming breaths and gritted her teeth. “I am sick of everyone makingdecisions for me. I might not be older than the fucking dirt beneath our feet, but I am still an adult capable of making my own decisions, and everyone keeps stealing that from me.”
Lauren looked amused before shaking her head. “It’s good to have you back, Rory.” Rory blinked.What?“I’ll try to find out more about Adila first. Next time Sam and I search the Lux Palace, I’ll see if I can sneak into her quarters. We need to know who we’re up against.”
Rory knew Lauren might knee her if she tried to hug her, so she refrained. “Thank you.” Under her breath, she added, “Youarenice.”
Lauren wiped down the already pristine counter, and Rory suspected she was a bit of a clean freak. “I’m not nice.”
Rory grinned. “Whatever you say.”
31
VINCULA
Sam tuckedhis wings tight and stepped into Caius’ office, looking as formal as ever in his outdated uniform. It couldn’t be comfortable to wear leather and metal all day like a warrior from an old storybook.
Caius filed away the contract of their newest arrival and set his hands in his lap to hide the black marks that refused to fade. It wasn’t Sam’s business, but theAngelseemed to think it was, and he didn’t feel like arguing today.
After their soulscape last night, anger stronger than anything he’d ever felt burned him from the inside out. Time with Rory was limited; he couldn’t worship her the way she deserved, hear her laugh whenever he wanted, or simply stare at her for no reason at all.
With his waking anger came the blackened veins; only this time, they didn’t fade. It was localized to his hands, but it would only spread until he had her in his arms.
“What are you thinking, brother?” Caius’ thoughts dissipated at the sound of Sam’s voice, having briefly forgotten he was there.
“Rory,” he admitted. “As always.”
Sam crossed the room with a look of sympathy, and Caius ground his teeth together. He didn’t want pity; he wanted his mate.
“I am meeting with Adila tonight,” theAngelinformed him.
Caius didn’t know what he expected Sam to say, but that wasn’t it. “She speaks to you?” Hurt and betrayal coursed through him, giving way to fury. The veins on his hands spread to his wrists, and he focused on his breathing to calm himself.
TheAngelsat on the bench, resting his elbows on his knees. “She has not abandoned you as you think.” Caius rotated slowly to look at his friend. “She could not tell me much because Gedeon not only has herRoyalphone bugged, but he also has spies watching and listening to her every move outside of her chambers.”
“What do you mean?” Caius demanded, stunned.
“I am meeting with her to find out more, but Anastasia said Gedeon started hiring non-Aatxeguards a year ago. According to the guard we questioned, Gedeon hired them to spy and listen for anything of interest, specifically pertaining to theRoyals.”
Caius didn’t know what to say. He had a million questions running through his mind.Was Gedeon’s extra precaution because of Caius' scheduled release? Why did Adila sentence him all those years ago? Did she know it was Gedeon all along?
“We are meeting at the place where you two camped as children,” Sam said, interrupting Caius’ downward spiral. “Where is this location?”
Caius’ brows rose. When he and his siblings went to school in Erdikoa under aliases, they were split up. He and Adila lived with one foster family, while Atarah and Gedeon lived with another. Four ethereal-looking children at the same school drew more attention than only two.
