Page 170 of Firestorm
My soldier’s mind picked up on that stance quickly.
Alejandro tensed slightly as he prepared himself for my next words.
“And where exactly is thiseverywherethat allows you to refrain from bowing to an Heir Apparent?” I asked, and I swear I heard Raaz snort from behind me.Maybe I liked him, after all.
The Crusader had the sense to look alarmed, dipping his head slightly. “My apologies. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home.”
“Evidently,” I replied. Raaz stifled a cough from over my shoulder. Yep. He was cool. I liked him, now.
“Should we head to my office?” Alejandro asked, faking a smile. He was desperate to keep me from bolting, which was wise. He knew I was likely to disappear the moment he pissed me off, and I was alreadypretty pissed at being summoned to a gala when my mother wasn’t in attendance.
“Fine,” I muttered.
Raaz moved to follow, but the Crusader’s hand landed on his shoulder. “You won’t be needed here, my friend. I am no threat to the prince.”
Raaz looked to me and I flashed him my cockiest grin. “He’s right, Raaz. Besides, we all know I’m the most powerful affinate in this room.”
Raaz’s lips twitched like he wanted to grin, but the Crusader and my father both missed it as they shot me matching looks of disdain. Razzy was totally warming up to me.And he’d fucking better, if he wanted any chance of pursuing my mother.
We headed across the ballroom, and I bristled suddenly, the foreign sensation of someone ramming against my mind almost making me trip over my feet.
This felt nothing like when Skye opened up her mind to me. She was soft, barely detectable. A butterfly’s kiss on the cheek. This guy was like a battering ram, slamming into me with a smug amount of force.
Was this how Skye felt every time I prodded at her mind? Shit, it was annoying.
“Subtle, Mr. Crusader.” I said aloud, shooting him a look while he only shrugged back at me.
“It was worth a shot,” he said lightly. “And please, you don’t have to call memister.”
Fucking weirdo.
The Crusader strode right into Alejandro’s office like he’d been here before and sank down into my father’s favorite leather chair in the corner.
My father’s office had been one of the most exciting places in the world to me when I was a child, but now? Now it was just as hollow as our relationship.
Which was a shame, because I really loved the deep green walls and mahogany wood paneling across the ceiling, matching his desk and leather chairs. The fire was lit and raging in a way that told me my father didn’t want me to shadow-walk out of here.
So I perched on the edge of the lounger in the corner, as far from the fire as possible. A strange anxiety was starting to burn through my chest, and I fought the urge to rub at it. I hadn’t felt this sensation before and it only grew worse, dread pooling in my stomach at how the Crusader watched me.
I didn’t trust him or his familiarity with Alejandro’s office.
“I’m a collector of sorts,” the Crusader explained.
“Mm. I collected stamps when I was a child,” I said lightly. Alejandro sighed deeply.
The Crusader offered me a tight smile in response. “I collect much more valuable things.”
“Wild animals? You seem like a guy who’d own a monkey. I’ve always wanted a pack of wolves, personally. Or a large school of fish. Maybe some sharks.” I glanced at my father, who looked like he was about to launch over his desk and throttle me.
But the Crusader only laughed, shocking the both of us. “I collect people, son. Powerful affinates. I like being surrounded by power.”
“I’m enthralled,” I said in the most bored tone I could muster. “How did you know this subject would ease my boredom?”
The Crusader leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and steepling his fingers. “You’re one powerful young man.”
I breathed out slowly, the dread in my stomach growing into a pit of despair.
“Obviously,” I replied, my petulant façade cracking slightly under his stare. That, and I had a massive headache from how hard he was still ramming into my mind. No wonder Skye had threatened to melt my brain. If my attacks on her felt anything like this, I’d kick my own ass in punishment.
