“Let him,” I said.
Then I walked out, and this time it was Lucien Viremont who remained on the ground, broken, bleeding, and afraid.
* * *
Your transfer is complete.
The notification popped up on my phone just as we pulled up back to the house. I didn’t bother to wait for the grunt to open the door for me, and stomped back inside, my knuckles split and chest still heaving.
I pushed past guards and slid the door open to my dad’s office, where he was sitting at his desk. A half-dressed demon omega sat on his lap, her pupils dilated as she sniffed and rubbed at her nose, while a few of his closest men lounged with omegas of their own.
“The debt has been paid,” I snarled. “And the problem is solved.”
41
Send in the Clowns
Sage
Cameras flashed and I winced, my eyes stinging as the lights burned my retinas.
“Will Noctis be leading the investigation?”
“We are working closely with Ignareth authorities, given the location of the Godscar Basin and their ability to search during the day, and I have authorized additional Noctian resources to aid in the search for the two missing omega students. Their safe return remains our highest priority.”
I shifted in the low heels Victor had chosen for me, my toes pinched in the stiff leather. Being in front of so many people was making me sweat, but thankfully the forest green cashmere dress, with its high neck, long sleeves, and knee-length skirt didn’t show it. I was worried the artfully applied makeup could begin to run, however.
As if that wasn’t enough, the large pearl earrings were heavy and uncomfortable. I fought the urge to reach up and pull on my itching lobes, while my hair, which had been straightened and pulled into a high ponytail, was giving me a headache.
“I urge the public to allow investigators the time and space to do their work, and to refrain from speculation that only deepens fear during an already painful moment. Are there any further questions?”
A reporter, half hidden in the crowd, raised her hand. “Premier Corvane, for those who may not be familiar, could you identify the woman standing beside you today?”
My heart raced, and Victor stiffened. He’d told me that he wanted to ease me into the public eye, and would only explain my presence if it came up.
“I need you for moral support,” he’d explained. “But if they ask, I will not lie. You won’t live in the shadows anymore.”
At this point, I definitely preferred the shadows.
“This is Sage Hexwood.”
He waited a beat, the room silent as a lone camera shutter clicked. Then he turned slightly towards me, and grabbed my hand.
“She’s my mate.”
The room broke out in a flurry of flashes and reporters jockeying to be called on.
“Premier!”
“Premier Corvane!”
“Premier!”
Victor pointed to one in the front, who stood, salivating at the salacious news. “Have you begun divorce proceedings with Madam Accalia Corvane, then?”
He blinked slowly, the muscle in his jaw ticking before responding. “I have no plans to divorce Accalia at this moment.”
The room got even louder, with some of the reporters now shouting at me.
