Maines nods, and they grab hands to shift, leaving me standing there with Larkin, who doesn’t look thrilled about this entire plan. I take a deep breath, letting the silent tension build around me. Steadying myself, I think of the things I need to say.
I turn to him.
“Can we talk?”
He tenses his brow. “No.”
“Larkin.”
“What about?”
“Are you going to make me stand in the hallway, or may I come inside?”
He rolls his eyes, folding his arms before stepping aside, allowing me to cross the threshold.
The dark auburn room is elegant, yet worn. Candlelight dances across the walls, casting a sunset-like glow throughout the space. It’s beautiful, but something about it carries a sadness, as if the objects—including Larkin—conceal a grim secret. The air is thick with the scent of aged wood, and dozens of books line the far wall.
I make my way to the small sitting area and plop down in a cushioned chair.
I use the silence to study his face.
Larkin reminds me of Oak. He has the same dusty white hair that falls messily in all directions, along with some that shades his lower jaw. However, he’s older—probably my brother’s age—and his eyes aren’t as kind as Oak’s.
His eyes are darker—like the events of his life have tainted them.
“Again I’ll ask,” Larkin says, sitting down in a leather chair across from me, crossing his legs, “why are you here?”
“Because I know you.”
Shock flashes across his expression. “Nope. You don’t.”
I smile, letting the tension build as I begin to pick at my nails.
“Well, I don’t know you, but I know who you are. You know my brother, Barlowe. Or, I should say, you knew.”
The words sting coming out.
Larkin leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “And how would you know that?”
“He talked about you.” I relax my shoulders. “Years ago, when he first arrived at the training camp. A powerful Lumor Wielder from Eddris who always talked about traveling to Andorwood.” I pause, leaning forward to match his demeanor. “Larkin. Spiridon.”
He runs his fingers over his facial hair, sizing me up.
I raise my brow. “I wasn’t sure that was your full name until I heard Warrick say it in the Great Hall.”
He studies me for a moment and sits back in the chair, as if not wanting to confirm or deny anything I’m saying. The dim light bounces off his stony face, and I watch him ponder my forwardness and how he wants to respond.
“Yes, that is my full name,” Larkin responds harshly. “And remind me to tell Warrick to watch who he shares information with in the future.”
“I thought so.” I smile, feeling victorious, and sit back in my chair following his lead. “But, I’m trying to figure out why you acted like you didn’t know who I was.”
“I don’t think I directly acted that way,” he says. “I just wasn’t very interested in meeting you.”
“Rude.”
“No,” he immediately replies. “I’m honest, the no bullshit type.”
“Or an asshole,” I mumble under my breath, causing him to glare in my direction.
