Page 26 of Ryld's Shadows
“I don’t either,” Kai admitted more gently. “Despite people saying I think I know everything, I most certainly do not. No good scientist does. But it’s something I’d like you to think about.”
The other possibility wasn’t one he’d bring up in front of others, because ifthatpossibility was entirely wrong, Kai would embarrass them all by mentioning it.
The rest of the session revolved around more mundane matters, everyday things, and assurances they were both settling into their routines. As they were wrapping things up, Ryld brought up one more concern.
“Hank says he cannot take my money when he pays the bills for me because he already is paid to help. Paying the bills is…a lot more help. When you have two jobs, shouldn’t each job pay you separately?”
“We’ll make a bureaucrat of you yet.” Kai flashed him a sharp-toothed smile. “I agree. Hank has already shown that he’s much more involved, more actively committed to his job. I will send a proposal to Human Resources—”
“Kai, dear, as much as I love to watch you take charge of things…” Lysander patted his arm. “That really isn’t your place unless you decide to fund Ryld’s companion out of Research’s budget.”
“Ah. Apologies. Dual funding?”
“I won’t object.”
“Good.” Kai speared a flummoxed-looking Hank with a narrow-eyed look. “You, young half-goblin, are getting a raise, since you’re doing more than one job at a time.”
Ryld’s smile practically lit the room, the first Kai had seen from him since they’d arrived.
Counseling was supposed to be helpful. Sometimes Ryld felt better after seeing Lysander, and sometimes he felt worse. He wasn’t sure how helpful counseling really was, but today was one of the times he left feeling better. Kai Hiltas being there was a nice surprise, and his explanation about having control over one’s weapons felt like a veil had been lifted on a mystery he’d never fully been able to articulate. The shadows were not the only creatures out of control. Ryld himself was a weapon, and he too was out of control. This information felt very important.
On top of that, he liked the way Hank talked. He didn’t sound like any of his minders. He didn’t feel like his private life was being discussed as if he weren’t there. It was more like…talking with a friend.
They got in the elevator, and Hank pushed the button. The idea that Hank was a friend felt like electricity. Exciting and dangerous.Never assume.
The doors closed, and the elevator started to go down. The strange tickly feeling in his stomach didn’t subside. He chewed his bottom lip, then made himself stop. “Hank.” He sucked in a breath. “Can a companion also be a friend?”
Hank’s face was serious—eyebrows drawn together, mouth drawn down, but Ryld thought it might be a thinking face and not an unhappy one. “I think so. If you read human novels, sometimes the rich ladies in them have companions and they’re obviously friends. At least it seems to work best that way.”
The electric feeling in his bones felt like it was making him vibrate. “Would you like to be my friend?”
Hank’s mouth turned up in a crooked smile, and he reached over to give Ryld’s hand a squeeze. “I would. The world is a lot less weird and awful if you have a friend.”
The electricity zinged around inside him, but it didn’t hurt. It felt warm and good. “I want to be your friend, too.”
“Well, good. That makes being friends a lot easier.”
Ryld liked the way Hank looked right now. His smile. And usually he didn’t like anyone to hold his hands, but he liked the feel of Hank’s hand around his. The elevator door opened on the lobby. People were in front of the door, waiting to get on. He almost blurted out to someone, anyone, that Hank was now his friend, but the words died. Cress was standing with the people. He was not afraid of Cress, but he hadn’t seen him since they were on the subway. It was jarring to see him now and Ryld froze.
Hank’s smile had vanished, replaced by a look of rage Ryld had never witnessed before. He surged out of the elevator and pushed a shocked Cress back, out of the crowd.
“You! You mud-fucking excuse for an aelfe. You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here.”
Cress’ face couldn’t seem to choose an expression. Shock, confusion, and anger all mixed up there before settling on anger. “What’s your problem, orc?”
“You, elf-boy. You take a job. You’re entrusted with someone’s safety. Someone’s well-being. And you use him asbaitso you can get yourself off? Youabandonhim when he most needs you? Selfish, unethicalcoward.”
The shock of suddenly seeing Cress was not nearly as shocking as the sudden change in Hank. He had been smiling one second and now he was shouting. At Cress. If Cress would just go away, then maybe Hank wouldn’t shout anymore. He didn’t know how to make Cress go away though. Kai Hiltas had said it was wrong to have a weapon out of control, but the shadows were already stirring in corners, sliding down the dark paneled walls.
Cress’ head jerked to one side and his nostrils flared. He brought his attention to Ryld and narrowed his eyes. “You better stop it, right now.”
Hank shot a quick glance back at Ryld, and maybe there was more concern there than rage, but he turned back to Cress and punched him in the stomach so hard that the elf folded over and dropped to his knees. “That’s for Ryld, you creep.”
He hurried back to Ryld at the elevator, his voice softer as he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Seeing him just made me so furious.”
Ryld blinked several times. That was better. The anger was still there, and Hank was trying to hide it, but not the same way as trying to hide that he was angry with Ryld. “You didn’t upset me.” Not a lie. He didn’t like Hank shouting but it was Cress’ fault he’d shouted.
They started to walk toward the doors. Cress got up before they made it outside. Ryld watched him warily, but he didn’t charge after them. He did shout though.
