Page 45 of Expose Me

Thankfully, we didn’t have to walk for days on end, and a brisk half-hour walk had us approaching our destination. Lapsus Manor was located right on the edge of the crater leading to Magma City. It wasn’t long before the structure became visible, nestled into the side of the jagged, rocky hill.

“Lapsus Manor?” Zey asked as we approached.

“Lapsus Manor.” I nodded. It was not the bricks-and-mortar kind of building that was common on Earth, nor was it anything like the glittering, awe-inspiring behemoth in the sky. I had no idea what Magma City below looked like, but I had a feeling it didn’t resemble that either.

Lapsus Manor was the same beige, flat color as the wasteland beyond it. It would’ve completely blended into the landscape if it wasn’t for the many windows reflecting the sun and the imposing glass doors in the center. They were at least three stories high, and I had no idea how anyone managed to move them. They must’ve weighed a ton.

I’d only been to this realm once, on House business, and I’d had to go to Lapsus Manor then too. It was only half a day’s trip, consisting of a meeting and a lavish lunch, but Abraxos had still managed to get me alone and try to convince me to find something for him.

He rarely visited Earth, but every time he did, he tracked me down and tried to get me to find what he was after—sometimes with gifts and flirting, sometimes with threats and intimidation.

“So, what’s the plan?” Zey asked as we approached the doors.

“Oh, now you want to talk plans? You seemed perfectly happy to just do whatever you wanted back at the portal. Maybe I’ll do the same. Maybe I’ll flirt my way in.”

“You’re always welcome at Lapsus Manor, Sky Serpell,” a deep voice said behind me. I turned just in time to see Abraxos land, his magnificent wings elegantly lowering him to the ground, the iridescent feathers shimmering even in the absence of sunlight. “But I’d be more than happy to flirt with you if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Zey said, coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with me.

Abraxos barely spared him a disinterested glance.

“Thanks, but I didn’t come all this way to flirt.” I gave him a thin smile.

“Then to what do I owe this great pleasure?”

I bristled, shifting my weight. This was going to suck. “I need your help.”

Abraxos’s smile widened, more a showing of teeth than an expression of amusement. “And why should I risk helping two dangerous fugitives wanted by half of Earth’s Houses?”

“You heard about that, huh?”

“I make sure to stay abreast of relevant news from many realms,” he said. His eyes were practically shining with greed, but he waited for me to say it.

“I’ll find what you’re looking for,” I sighed. “If you help us get what we’re looking for.”

Abraxos took a deep breath and stared at Sky City above with something unfathomable in his gaze.

“Looks like we have a deal to make.” He waved his arm towards his castle in a grand invitation. With a heavy heart, I followed him in, Zey keeping close to me.

We were shown in through the massive doors, past the grand entrance, and into a sitting room. Abraxos’s manor seemed to be purposefully, defiantly drawing from its very surroundings in Dead Man’s Land. There was a lot of stone—from marble floors, to ornately carved stone window and doorframes, to heavy, solid furniture that looked like it was carved out of the very ground they sat on.

Abraxos lowered himself into a throne-like chair with opulent cushions and a back that accommodated his wings. Zey and I sat on a backless bench across from him.

Several servants came in, setting fruit and pastries, teas and wine on the low table between us.

“Sky the Seeker,” Abraxos purred as he poured himself a glass of wine. “What is it you seek?”

“What we seek is of no importance,” Zey answered before I could. “The location is the obstacle.”

Abraxos’s smile hardened as he turned his gaze on Zey. “Is your name also Sky?”

I resisted the urge to shift a little closer, feeling weirdly protective. Last time I was here, I was safe by virtue of being a representative of the House of Spirit and Sapphire. This time, no one even knew I was here. Abraxos was a dangerous man.

“His name is Zey, and if you want to make this deal, you’ll treat my companion with a modicum of respect,” I said, sitting straighter and holding Abraxos’s gaze. I was intimidated and my fingers itched to reach for my fighting knife, but I kept still. The only way to deal with people like this was to not back down.

After a painfully long, tense moment, Abraxos sighed and rolled his eyes as he sipped his wine. “Very well.Zey, tell me what it is you want from me.”

“The item we’re trying to procure is in the House of Sea and Serpentine’s HQ. Sky seems to think you can get us safely and discreetly inside.” Did I detect a hint of derision in Zey’s voice?

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