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“When?”
Ria glanced toward the clock on the wall. “I don’t know. Twenty minutes ago? Maybe longer.”
His attention went immediately to the hallway behind him. “Did she say where she was going?”
“No.” Ria stepped out of the workshop. “She was upset.”
“I know.”
“She didn’t take it well.”
“I noticed.”
He looked back down the corridor. Twenty minutes wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time for Korinnae to wander around the office, but he’d already checked the places she usually went.
“Did she say anything else?”
“No. We talked about me leaving. She asked a lot of questions.” Ria studied him for a moment before adding, “Mostly about you.”
He wasn’t surprised. “Did she call me stupid?”
“Several times.”
“Good. At least she’s consistent.”
Under different circumstances, Ria might have laughed. Instead, she folded her arms. “I thought she’d gone back to you.”
“And I thought she was with you.”
They looked at each other, and he was already moving before either of them said another word. He headed down the corridor, with Ria following close behind.
“Korinnae!” he bellowed.
They checked the kitchen again, then the lounge and the conference rooms. Ria opened the door to the small storage space Korinnae sometimes used when she wanted to read without adults bothering her, but it was empty.
“Maybe she went outside,” Ria said.
“She knows she’s not supposed to leave the office without telling me.”
Ria gave him a look. “She’s angry with you.”
“Aye. I’m aware.”
They reached the reception area. He checked the seating area and the adjoining rooms while Ria went behind the main desk.
“Korinnae!” Ria called.
There was no answer. A moment later, the receptionist came through the front doors, carrying a small paper bag.
“Have you seen Korinnae?” Ria asked.
The harpy shook her head. “No, I just got back from lunch. Is she not here?”
“We can’t find her.”
Asterion crossed to the security panel near the entrance and pulled up the building log.
Ria came up beside him. “Can you check the doors?”
