Regent narrowed his eyes at that. Was it a reaction to the name, or did he know something? Shear probably had an idea, but I’d have to ask later. “Obsidian—and thus Mr. Yorn—have a fairly wide berth when it comes to decision making. We rarely step into his business.”
“I get that. It’s probably usually a pretty good idea. Let him do what he wants, plausible deniability for you, it’s a win-win sort of situation. The problem is that he’s stepped inourbusiness.”
Regent frowned, suggesting he might really not know what the asshole was up to. “Your guide?”
“Bingo,” Carter answered with a wide smile. “See, he’s threatened us—I’m okay with that, it’s really just another Tuesday to us—but he used that threat to force her into testing. I can’t imagine what people would think if they found out that the good and noble North American Guild was using guides in such a way. It sure wouldn’t look good on the news stations, and if anyone knows how a story can get twisted, and the damage it can do, it’s me.”
Some of the color drained from Regent’s face, as though he’d realized just one of the reasons he ought to listen.
“So what do you want?”
“Simple. Call your dog back. Send him on home to Obsidian. We’ll stay in our world, he stays in his.” Carter paused, then added on, “And exempt Shear from the yearly exams there. No reason to have us crossing paths if it isn’t needed. Hate to seewhat sort of problems we might create for the Guild if that happens.”
“Obsidian isn’t technically under the Guild’s control,” Regent sidestepped. “He doesn’t answer to me.”
“No, but he answers to those in charge of Obsidian, and they sure as hell will listen to you.”
Regent moved his gaze around the room, seeming to take in the look of each of the espers in there. No doubt he was trying to work out how serious we were, what the risk really was, if he could spin this or use it to his advantage. After all, if he could work this into a benefit for him, he’d prefer it. “So you all are telling me you’ll out this story if I don’t comply?”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry if you misunderstood. That’s whatI’lldo, but we’re a team, equals. I don’t speak for them.”
Shear’s voice came from behind me, more vicious than I usually heard it. I almost wondered if he’d practiced that. “If you choose to ignore our demand, I’ll ensure you can never close your eyes without the worst nightmares plaguing you. Not even waking will help, as each time you blink, you will be back there, in the darkest pits of your mind. I suspect it will take you perhaps a month before your mind is so torn that you would prefer slitting your throat than experiencing it again.”
I slammed my blade flat on the top of the desk, sideways, so the blade showed while my palm covered the handle, hand flat. “I’ll take you apart in a more direct and literal way. Do you have any idea how fun it will be to carve into you, bit by bit, plucking pieces from you?”
Regent turned his wide, frightened eyes toward Kenyon as though looking for help. After all, Kenyon was known as not just the stupid one, but the kind one, too. He was the easy one, the one who most people didn’t fear. Was Regent hoping that Kenyon would step in somehow? Would save him?
He’s even dumber than Shear.
Kenyon smiled, that bright, deceptively helpful look. “And I’ll keep you alive for it all. If you try to die, I’ll make sure you don’t get that sort of relief.”
A gulp so loud that it had to have hurt left Regent, but I smirked.
That had beenfartoo easy.
I didn’t transport them out of the office, instead having us all walk like we owned the place. With Regent’s agreement, I doubted we’d have any issues. We were basically guests at this point.
The headquarters were in LA, which meant we’d have a few hours of driving—probably more if there was traffic, and there was always traffic—before we got back. At least it had all gone smoothly, which meant we wouldn’t need to worry about leaving Yun for another night.
Which was fucking amazing, because I could feel my hunger gnashing its fangs, hungry for the only thing that satisfied it anymore—her.
“You know, after solving this issue, I bet we’ll get some sort of reward,” I said.
“We’re going to tell her?” Kenyon asked. “Then why’d we have to sneak away? Yousawhow bothered she was by that.”
“She couldn’t know before we dealt with it,” Carter explained as he drove. “Now, though? She’ll sleep better to know she won’t have to deal with Mr. Yorn, and if we get some rewards, too, that works for me.”
My phone rang, and I pulled it from my pocket. Yun’s name flashed there.
She missed us, huh? I smirked as I answered. “Hey there, Spark. You’re in luck, we’re on our way home.”
“They came and got her.” It wasn’t Yun’s voice that answered but Kaidan’s.
Carter must have heard because the SUV lurched forward and he pressed the gas pedal to the floor.
So much for makeup sex.
Chapter Forty-Three
