Page 38 of Ira

Was I broken? The reminder should have cooled my ardor like anything else, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Time apart hadn’t eased my affection for Meera even a little. She was still so…

So everything. Soeverything.

Chapter 13

“Are you sure you don’t mind coming along?” Tallulah asked quietly as I took a seat next to her at the circular table. “I know you don’t like these things.”

“No, it’s fine. Honestly.”

I mean, it wouldn’t be my first choice on how to spend my afternoon, but I wanted Tallulah to feel supported in this massive undertaking. Sitting in with her and offering whatever feedback I could come up with that might even be marginally helpful seemed like the least I could do.

“Hello, hello, everyone. Sorry I’m late,” Sebastian announced, swanning into the room with his most charming smile, shoving his sandy-blond hair back out of his face. Verity truly didn’t have a type because I couldn’t see a single similarity between Sebastian and the duke.

Actually, maybe the arrogance. Possibly that was something they had in common.

Duke Theon wasn’t in attendance today, though he did sometimes like to make an appearance—mostly to make Sebastian nervous.

Today, the Shades in attendance were Captain Soren—sans Astrid because she was too confrontational, and Sebastian was scared of her—and Evrin, Tallulah’s mate.

To give Sebastian his credit, the two Shades made a formidable duo to face on his own, and he was doing his level best not to show that he was intimidated.

Soren and Evrin could probably smell it though.

“Meera,” Sebastian said politely. “Nice to see you.”

“Meera is going to be joining us today,” Tallulah put in with her best HR smile. “I’ve asked the others to sit in where possible—it’s good to get a balance of opinions from everyone.”

“Absolutely,” Sebastian agreed. Hearing the two of them talk made me feel like I was about to get a performance appraisal. “I’d like to pick up where we left off last time with the discussion on portal usage. I’m running late because I was just meeting with one of the Councilors, Randal Jackman, to get his thoughts on the matter…”

I didn’t hear the rest because my brain was immediately… loud. Fuzzy and loud. Like I’d submerged myself underwater while everyone talked around me.

Randal Jackman.

I hadn’t heard that name in years. Was it warm in here? It felt really warm.

“Meera,” Tallulah whispered, resting her hand on my forearm and startling me back into reality. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” I croaked.

You’re being ridiculous,I told myself firmly. While I hadn’t seen Randal Jackman in years, it wasn’t exactly a shock that hewas still alive and an active member of the Hunters. He was only the same age as my mother. Last I heard, she was still healthy and active and nowhere near retirement.

“Everything alright over there?” Sebastian asked from the other side of the table. He had a smile on his face, but he was clearly irritated by the interruption. I would never understand how vibrant, fun,kindVerity had ever seen anything in this tactless asshole.

“I haven’t heard that name in a few years,” I said weakly before clearing my throat, hoping to sound more calm and collected. “That’syour point of contact on this? I didn’t realize he was on the Council.”

“He’s not the only one, but yes, of course Randal is involved,” Sebastian replied, instantly affronted. “Who else? He officially joined the Council five years ago, and he’s mentored me since. There’s no one better for the job.”

Tallulah was watching me closely. Too closely. She’d see everything. “It doesn’t look like Meera agrees.”

“Respectfully, Meera hasn’t been part of the Hunters for years,” Sebastian countered.

Tallulah narrowed her eyes at Sebastian, and he shrunk down in his seat slightly.

“I have some concerns about the suitability for Randal Jackman as our point of contact,” I began, aiming roughly in the direction of professionalism.

“Based on what?” Sebastian snapped.

“My personal dealings with him.”

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