Page 37 of Tempest Awakening

"Come in," her voice called out, and I felt a familiar tug of awareness as I stepped inside.

She looked up from her desk, a hint of surprise flickering across her features before she offered me a polite smile. "Mr. Ellesar. I wasn't expecting you."

The sight of her hit me like a physical force. Her honey-gold eyes, framed by long lashes, seemed to pull me in. The soft curve of her lips as she smiled made my breath catch. Even the simple act of her tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear sent a jolt of electricity through me.

Ignoring my attraction to her was proving harder in reality than in theory. Every time I saw her, my body reacted traitorously. My mouth went dry, my palms grew damp, and it took every ounce of self-control not to reach out and touch her. I shifted slightly, acutely aware of the growing tightness in my pants. My heart raced, and I could feel my pulse throbbing in my neck.

"Please, call me Kane," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I wanted to discuss the Oral History project in more detail, if you have a moment."

"I had some ideas," Tempest replied, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Actually, I was thinking of interviewing your father. As the Lord Protector, he must have a wealth of knowledge about the supernatural world."

I felt a jolt of alarm at her words. The thought of Tempest and my father in the same room sent a chill down my spine. My father's views on humans were... problematic, to say the least. The way he'd look at her, speak to her—it made my blood boil just thinking about it.

"That's... not advisable," I said quickly, perhaps too sharply. Tempest's brow furrowed in confusion, and I softened my tone. "My father is a very busy man, and not particularly inclined towards... academic pursuits. Perhaps we should consider someone else in a leadership position?"

"I see," Tempest said, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. "Do you have any suggestions then?”

I paused, considering my options. Truth be told, I didn't mind actually helping out on the project. It was a necessary part of my plan, after all. To gain Tempest's trust and access the information I needed, I'd have to do a good job. Otherwise, Moriyana would grow suspicious, and that was the last thing I needed.

"What about Garrick Burke? He's the Master of the Wing at the Dragon Rider Guild."

Tempest's eyes widened with interest. "I've heard of him. But I'm not sure what 'Master of the Wing' means. Could you tell me more about the Guild's structure? I'm still trying to understand how it all fits together."

Her question caught me off guard, and I felt a surge of admiration. Her intelligence and curiosity were captivating, drawing me in despite my best efforts to maintain emotional distance. The way her mind worked, always seeking to understand more, to dig deeper – it was incredibly attractive.

I nodded, finding myself wanting to share more, just to see that spark of interest in her eyes. "Of course. The Guild's hierarchy is quite intricate," I began, leaning forward.

"At the top is the Moriyana, the Grand Luminary of the Dragonne Library. She oversees the Guild's alignment with the Library's objectives. My father, as Lord Protector, reports directly to the Moriyana and has the highest authority within the Guild itself, but has no authority within the actual Library."

Tempest nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Under my father are two key positions," I continued. "The Headmaster of the Academy, Isolde Northfall, oversees all academic training. Then there's Garrick Burke, the Master of the Wing, who manages active dragon riders and their operations."

"That's fascinating," Tempest said, her eyes alight with genuine interest. "So Garrick would have a unique perspective on both the operational side and the relationship with your father?"

I nodded, impressed by her quick grasp of the situation. "Exactly. That's why I think he'd be an excellent choice for an interview."

Tempest tapped her pen thoughtfully against her notebook. "That's a great suggestion. But I'm curious about Supes who aren't directly associated with the Library. Are there other important groups or individuals we should consider?"

Her question sent my mind racing. I hadn't anticipated this line of inquiry, but I quickly realized its potential. This assignment wasn't just about gaining access to information about the underground fighting rings—it could also open doors to Supes in high places. Contacts and resources that could prove invaluable in furthering my mission.

I leaned back, impressed by her insight. "Actually, yes. There's the Omnium, for instance. They're the leadership body for Supes living among humans."

Her eyebrows rose with interest. "Really? I had no idea such an organization existed."

"Most humans don't," I explained, watching her scribble notes furiously. "The Omnium works behind the scenes, aligning Supe laws with human regulations. Someone from their ranks could offer a unique perspective on integration challenges."

Tempest nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds perfect. Any specific names?"

I hesitated, weighing my options. Introducing her to the right people could be crucial for my plans. "I might be able toarrange an interview with Councilor Elara Windmere. She's been instrumental in shaping Supe-human policies."

"That would be incredible," Tempest said, her excitement palpable. She jotted down the name, then looked up at me, her curiosity evident in her eyes. "So the Omnium handles the official side of things. But what about unofficial channels? In human society, there's always an undercurrent beneath the surface. Is it the same for Supes?"

Her perceptiveness caught me off guard. This was my opening, but I had to tread carefully. I feigned hesitation, then leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "There are... less savory elements," I admitted reluctantly. "Parts of our world that often go overlooked."

Tempest leaned forward, her interest clearly piqued. "What kind of elements?"

I paused, as if considering whether to continue. "Well, just like in human society, there are those who operate outside the law. Underground networks, illegal activities... that sort of thing."

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