Page 21 of Wings of Ebony
“They told me to do it,” he says, leaning his head toward a tinted two-way window. “I’m just following orders.”
“I see.”
Next, he hands me a cup. “Drink up.”
The liquid is bitter on my tongue and I gag.
“It’s an antidote for the chaser. Water will only get you so far… and it’ll wear off eventually.”
I take another sip. It’s like drinking perfume. I clamp my mouth shut so I don’t spit it back out. The men behind the glass beside Aasim still stare, arms folded.
The Chancellor moves closer to the window like he’s studying me, and I bristle at his stare. He’s ’bout my height with a boxy frame and chiseled cheeks. His eyes have dark circles around them, and something about his RBF says he’s always thinking… plotting… planning.
The General joins the Chancellor at his side. This one I don’t know as well. Only seen him a few times. He’s taller than the others,built like some sort of commando, but older. His hair is grayish white with a giant bald spot in the middle. His arms are like boulders—like he spends the whole day bench pressing. A deep scar in the shape of a dagger runs beneath his left eye. His stare is like acid on my skin.
As much as I loathe Aasim, he’s probably the only one in there trying to do right by me.
“Am I able to talk to any of them?” I ask Luke.
Again, he gestures for me to sit, and this time I do. “I’m sorry. They said full booking. I’m going to have to take your things.”
I sigh, nodding.
“And no, you don’t get to talk to them. I mean, unless they want to. Shoes?”
I hand them over, nerves twisting my insides. “So how does this work? When do I get to explain myself?”
“Socks too. And I’m going to need that watch.” He peeps over his shoulder and whispers. “I promised Bri I’d make sure you keep this. I’ll get it back to you.” Luke clears his throat, pretending to check my tracker. “She said they have no way of knowing you used it. You set off the signal using your magic among humans.”
“So my watch is safe?” I ask, as low as I can, handing over my things.
“Completely. They have no idea it even exists.”
That’s some small relief, I suppose. That, and Luke on my side. Bri picked a real one. He and Bri have been together formonths. Seems like a straight up nice guy. They geek out and shit. She likes him. So I like him. He breaks her heart though? I’ll break his face. He knows it too.
“Looks like your tracker’s in and working properly.” He clearshis throat again as if doing that repeatedly sounds natural. “If you have a shirt under the hoodie, I’ll take the outer layer too. Any hair accessories, other jewelry?”
What is this? Why am I giving up all my stuff before I can even make my case, explain myself?
“That necklace.”
“You’re not getting my necklace. Period.” I tuck the purple thread around my neck into my collar. “If they want it that badly, they can cut it off my corpse.”
He gives a sympathetic smile and doesn’t push it.
Behind the glass, the men’s gestures grow increasingly animated. Aasim’s talking—fast, from what I can tell. The Chancellor’s rubbing his chin. The General I can’t read as well. He’s standing there, face plain, lips forming a thin, straight line. Low-cut gray hair fades to white around his temples. He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. The Chancellor turns to him a second, whispering something. And Aasim keeps talking, but no one appears to be listening.
“What do you know about the General?” I ask Luke.
His eyes meet mine and the color drains from his already gray complexion. “General Deo? He—”
The door clicks open and Luke hops to attention, back straight, eyes dead ahead.
“Sir,” he says.
The General, so tall he nearly ducks beneath the doorframe, steps inside.
“Excuse me,” I turn to him, trying to sift the pissiness from my voice. “What’s going on in there? Am I able to speak to you or the Chancellor directly? Explain myself?”
