Page 25 of Tempest Awakening

Chapter 10

Tess

"Please, have a seat," I offered, my voice more cheerful than I felt. I hoped my enthusiasm would cut through his icy demeanor.

Kane remained standing, his tall frame imposing in the cozy office. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his immaculately tailored trousers. "I'd prefer to keep this brief if you don't mind. My father has entrusted me with assisting you on the Oral History Project, but I have many other responsibilities that take precedence."

Crossing my arms, I arched a brow at his dismissive tone. So much for first impressions—this guy clearly thought very little of me and the project I'd been tasked with overseeing. Still, I wasn't about to let his blatant arrogance rattle me. Not on my first day.

With a deep breath, I met his gaze head-on, refusing to be intimidated. "Look, I know this project might not seem like a priority, but it's important to me. If you're going to help, I'd appreciate your full cooperation and an open mind."

Kane's eyes narrowed, the blue-violet hue darkening like storm clouds. He seemed to consider my words for a moment. Finally, with a slight nod, he took a seat across from me, his posture still tense but more receptive than before.

"How did you get this position?" he asked, his voice devoid of the warmth that usually accompanied small talk.

I hesitated, recalling how the library itself had led me to Moriyana, and how she had unexpectedly offered me the job. It had been a moment of serendipity, but I sensed that sharing this would only fuel his skepticism. "The library led me to Moriyana, and she offered me the job," I said simply.

Kane's eyes widened, just for a moment, before his neutral expression returned. "I see," he said slowly, as if weighing my words. "You might want to keep the circumstances around your hiring here... quiet. Not everyone will take kindly to the library extending such a prestigious opportunity to a human."

A shiver of unease ran through me at his veiled warning. "Noted," I said, my voice softening. "And you? You’re a Dragon Rider, right?"

His expression hardened ever so slightly. "I'm a Dragon Riderapplicant. My father is the Lord Protector at the Guild. I'm here to discuss the goals and procedures for your project and how it aligns with our broader objectives."

Kane leaned back, crossing his arms. The movement drew my attention to the breadth of his shoulders, the lean muscles visible beneath his crisp shirt. His posture was casual, yet there was an unmistakable tension in the set of his jaw.

"Alright," I said, forcing my gaze back to his face. "Moriyana tasked me with collecting oral histories from various species, emphasizing empathy and inclusiveness. I believe everyone's story is worth hearing."

Kane's eyebrows rose slightly. "Empathy and inclusiveness? That's quite... idealistic." His words dripped with sarcasm.

I straightened in my chair, meeting his gaze. "Why do you think that's idealistic?"

"Because this world isn't as simple as you might think," he said, leaning forward. His proximity sent a jolt through me. "People—Supes especially—don't always want to share their stories. And some stories are better left untold."

His dismissal stung, and I felt heat rising to my cheeks. "I understand that. But I believe that by listening to each other, we can foster understanding and build bridges between our worlds."

Kane's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of something—pain, regret?—before his cold mask slipped back into place. The vulnerability in that fleeting expression made my breath catch.

"You won't win everyone over with kindness, Tess," he said, my name rolling off his tongue in a way that sent tingles over my skin. "Some people—and creatures—respond only to strength."

"And empathy doesn't require strength?" I shot back, surprised by the passion in my own voice. "It takes a lot of strength to listen, to try to understand someone else's pain, and to connect with them."

Our eyes locked, and the air between us seemed to crackle with tension. The ticking of an old clock on the wall punctuated the silence, each second stretching out impossibly long.

Finally, Kane broke the silence, his voice softer but still firm. "You're naive if you think that's enough." He paused, and I found myself leaning in, drawn by some inexplicable force. "But perhaps we can complement each other's methods. Your empathy and my pragmatism—let's see how they work together."

I took a deep breath, willing my heart rate to slow down. The scent of his cologne—crisp and woodsy—filled my senses. "Fine. But I won't stop believing in the power of empathy."

Kane's lips twitched as if fighting back a smile. The sight sent a flutter through my stomach. "Fair enough. Let's move on to practicalities."

For the next hour, we discussed the logistics of the Oral History Project. Kane’s strategic mind became more apparent as he outlined the potential pitfalls and suggested solutions for each. Despite his initial aloofness, his intelligence and meticulous planning impressed me. I could see why he was a strong candidate for the Dragon Rider Guild.

As we talked, I found myself studying him more closely. There was a guardedness about him, a wall he had built up around himself, but every now and then, there were glimpses of vulnerability.

As our discussion about the Oral History Project wound down, an unexpected lull fell between us. Kane's gaze drifted to the window, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm on his thigh.

"Why did you apply to become a Dragon Rider?" I asked, breaking the silence. I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, a nervous habit I'd never quite shaken.

Kane's eyes snapped back to me, his fingers stilling abruptly. For a moment, I thought he might not answer at all.

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