“Where?”
My mouth curled into a wry smile. “I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to live my life,nóng chaai.”
Cygnet’s brow twitched, and I couldn’t help feeling smug. If he was so comfortable throwing around familial terms dipped in sarcasm, then I could play dirty, too.
Cygnet’s glare cut to Chase standing beside me. “And what about the demon?”
“Gone,” I stated. “Despite what you might think, I’m a competent exorcist.”
Despite the tiny crumb of doubt ravaging my soul.
Cygnet paused for a moment. “I don’t believe you.”
I shrugged. “I’m sorry, but that’s not my problem.”
He scowled, then shifted his focus to Chase.
I steeled myself. This was it. If he screwed it up now, we were shit out of luck.
Chase was unfazed. He flashed my younger brother a lopsided grin and nodded towards the exit. “Uh, so, am I free to leave? I’ve got a life I’d like to get back to. Those barbells aren’t gonna lift themselves.”
Cygnet’s hand subtly rested on the hilt of his sword, hidden beneath the layers of tattered black robes.
I kept my face neutral, but on the inside, I was a bit offended. It was incredibly rude to suspect an exorcised client of further possession, especially when they showed no symptoms of lingering demonic activity.
On top of that, accusing a fellow senior exorcist of failing at their job was a serious allegation. It required paperwork and dealings with higher-ups. And if it turned out to be a false accusation, your own reputation would be tarnished. In our line of work, reputation was everything.
For all his attitude, Cygnet was aware of that. Was he so bullheaded that he was willing to take the risk?
Cygnet met my eye. I couldn’t read his expression, but I knew he wasn’t happy.
After a long and uncomfortable silence, Cygnet turned around. “My apologies for interrupting. Best be on your way.”
As soon as I heard those golden words, my spirits soared.
“No prob,” Chase replied. “See ya later. Well, actually, I hope not. ‘Cause I don’t wanna get possessed again, you know?”
He chuckled, but Cygnet didn’t reply. He avoided eye contact with both of us.
“Just so you know,” I added, “I’ll be taking advantage of my grace period. The full week. So don’t wait up for me.”
Cygnet’s reply was a stiff nod. There was no need to elaborate because what I’d said was completely normal. All by the book.
After saying our curt goodbyes, Chase and I left the temple.
Two blocks out, he burst out laughing in a flamboyant voice that obviously did not belong to him.
“Oh that was hilarious.”
The hair on the back of my neck shot straight up.
Hearing Faust’s lilting voice from Chase’s body was jarring, to say the least. It didn’t suit him at all.
In truth, I was terrified of the demon. I had no clue what he was capable of. And now that we’d escaped scrutiny, I couldn’tbelieve I’d suggested this idiotic idea. Allowing Faust to take control of Chase’s body to lie to my brother’s face was ridiculous.
But Chase was an awful liar. Cygnet would’ve seen right through his bullshit. It didn’t matter that we were brothers. He’d take it up with Professor Fairfax, or Dr. Hartford, or anyone else with the authority to strike me down. Then I’d lose my chance to redeem myself forever.
Unfortunately, demons were excellent liars.
