Page 18 of Feral

“You know,” she said, “I read your file.”

“Aye?”

“You were treated abominably by Francesca. Your entire clan was. It took courage to stand up to her as long as you did. I know it doesn’t bring back your dead clansmen and women but I am truly sorry for what transpired.”

I dipped my head in acknowledgement. It was a decent beginning, but she was right, it didn’t bring them back.

And if I don’t get back soon, goddess only knows what trouble some of those eejits will get up to. Angus was having a hard enough time controlling the young ones.

I started to pace, which really meant I managed three or four steps until my long stride caused me to have to turn around. Her office wasn’t huge but neither was it tiny. Still, even in my glamoured form, I was big and took up much of the space.

“Would you like something to drink while you wait?” she asked.

“Naw.”

“It shouldn’t be long.”

“I makin’ ya nervous, madam Director?”

Her lips quirked up.

“Would you believe that you’re not nearly the most intimidating man I’ve ever met?”

That stopped me in my tracks, and I wondered if the rumors were true about this woman. That she’d been married to a celestial-human male and had four celestial children. That she’d lost her husband because of the archive and her children had almost been taken by Francesca. That she’d fought and resisted the machinations of this place against her family for decades, only to lose her husband in the end.

And now, here she sat, in the same position as the woman that had made her life hell.

Looking into her deceptively beautiful gaze, I could believe all of those things. There was a strength lurking there, under the smiles and designer clothes that I would not want to tangle with.

“Aye, I would, lass.”

She chuckled.

“I’ve not been called a lass in quite some time.”

“It didn’t indicate age.”

“I know it’s just…” a glimpse of bone deep grief flashed across her face and was gone almost before I could notice.

“So, where is this expert of yers?” I asked, not wanting to dredge anything up for her.

“Trey was fetching them. I can’t imagine what’s taking so long.”

“The Dragon?”

“Yes.”

“He works for you?”

Her lips pressed together, a flush creeping up her throat.

“Not exactly.”

Interesting.

The door finally opened and in stepped the Dragon I’d met three days ago, but this time in his glamour, which was an extremely posh Korean man. He nodded at me and turned his attention the director.

“Sorry, it took a little bit,” he said.

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