“Elder Nypan, I get the intrigue, but I respectfully decline yourrequestto witness my reading.”
I try to sound diplomatic, but I can’t help throwing in a not so veiled dig at the Elders. None of these fuckers have even bothered to ask me if I’d want them there. They talked to me like it was a done deal, and then Lachlan kept shutting them down, but no one has spoken to me like I have any say in any of it. Elder Nypan watches me for a second and then gives me an accepting nod before he stands up.
“We look forward to hearing the results of your reading.”
Elder Nypan smiles at me, and then promptly moves toward the front door.Well, that was anticlimactic. I kind of expected more of a fight.I watch the other two elders cautiously, wondering if will they follow Elder Nypan’s easy and accepting lead, or bitch and whine about his acceptance.
Elder Balfour is the first to concede, and he quickly exits the room while being shadowed by two of the bodyguards. Elder Cleary, however, watches me. The cunning light in his eyes is like a lighthouse that’s warning me of danger, but I don’t know if he’s the danger or if something else is.
“My son mentioned that he had the privilege of meeting you,” he tells me, his smooth cadence piercing the silence. “It seems you left quite the impression on him."
“The encounter was enlightening," I monotone.
He stares at me seemingly in no hurry to leave. “Yes, I can see what all the fuss is about," Elder Cleary muses, and a cool mask of satisfaction slides over his face.
The whole exchange is odd and unnerving, but before I can analyze it more, or ask him what the hell is going on, he leaves and joins the other elders in the foyer. Silva is at the front door, holding it open and thanking them for their visit, and they all shuffle out into the evening. When the door finally clicks shut, and it’s just the paladin and me, a collective sigh of relief permeates the group.
“What the hell was that all about?” I ask looking around at all of them.
“They were here assessing a threat," Silva offers me, still staring at the door like he’s anticipating someone is going to come crashing back through it.
“A threat? They’re a little late if they’re looking into what happened the other night."
“They were here to assess you, Vinna," Lachlan tells me, looking at me like I’m an idiot.
“Me? How am I threat?”
“You’re a powerful unknown. That in itself can be threatening," Keegan explains.
That’s why they wanted in on my reading. They didn’t merely want answers; they wanted secrets. If they know what my magiccando, then they’ll also get a good idea of what itcan’tdo. Irritation and mistrust seep into me as things start to click together.
But why the hell would the paladin have a problem with them having that information? It’s not like Lachlan would be loyal to me over them.
“So why were you all so against them witnessing my reading?”
“Because we have no idea what’s going to happen. We didn’t want to risk it.”
It takes a second for Lachlan’s words and tone to sink in.
“You didn’t want to risk them, or you didn’t want to risk me?” I ask.
Lachlan’s silence is deafening.
“You think I’m a threat, too?” I clarify, not sure why his doubt stings so much.
Of course, he thinks I’m a fucking threat. It’s not like he’s treated me as anything but from the beginning.
“We’ve never seen anything like what you can do. We have no idea what that means for any of us," Lachlan justifies coldly.
I look around at the others, but none of them look back at me.
“Wow, good to know. Not that any of you fucking care, but this is bullshit.”
“Little Badass, don’t be mad...”
“Aydin, look me in my eyes and tell me I’m misunderstanding what you all are saying.”
Silva steps forward. “I don’t think you’d do anything to hurt us on purpose, but your magic is dangerous. Look at what you’ve done to the boys. You’re only in your quickening right now. Who knows what your magic will be like after your awakening.”
