Page 76 of Expose Me

“I’m really happy for you.” My best friend gave me a genuine grin and more emotion clogged my throat. What the hell was happening to me? I hardly ever cried.

“How was the meeting with the Houses today?” I managed to get out evenly, changing the subject.

“Good. I wasn’t there in person, but word spreads fast when there’s something as big as a new portal and a new species to negotiate with. All accounts I’ve heard so far are positive. Cooperative talks, friendly diplomatic agreements, plans to meet again,blah blah blah. Most importantly, you’re off the hook. They’ve already made a statement about your innocence and the confusion.”

“Oh. Good.” That meant I could go back to my apartment, my work, my life. But how would Zey fit into that?

“That reminds me—Reginald wants to meet with you as soon as you’re fully recovered and ready.”

“He’s going to fire me, isn’t he?” I sighed around a smile. The thought wasn’t nearly as devastating as it would’ve been a few weeks ago. “Think they’ll let me stay in Spirit and Sapphire?”

But Lowell didn’t give me a sympathetic look and a pat on the shoulder. He grinned. “Actually, I think he wants to promote you.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Epilogue

Ifelt naked without my Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife strapped to my thigh, but there was no use for it here, plus it would probably be rude to meet the leader of an entire world while armed.

I smoothed down the silky fabric of my pants, my fingers lingering where the weapon would’ve sat. I was dressed in black and gray, the colors simple to fit in with my surroundings, the fabric light and luxurious to accommodate the warm, humid atmosphere. And my anxiety sweats.

It was important to me to make a good impression on the True Leader of Vuulectus. So I’d dressed in a way that was reminiscent of their people’s appearance, and I’d pulled my hair back into a sleek ponytail. But I drew the line at that. My fuchsia hair had survived being hunted by multiple species across several realms, and I wasn’t going to change the thing I loved most about my appearance to please anyone.

Zey took my fidgety hand in his, giving it something else to grip.

I looked up into his eyes and gave him what I hoped was a confident smile.

“You know I can sense your increased heart rate and breathing,” he murmured, keeping our conversation private. “I know you’re nervous. You don’t need to pretend for me.”

We were surrounded by Vuulectians and a few representatives from Earth, waiting for the True Leader to join us. The receiving room was Vuulectus’s equivalent to a parliament—the seat of power. It was as magnificent as the rest of Zey’s home world.

Water trickled everywhere and plants grew right out of the shimmering, smooth floor. Everything was open, and a gentle breeze cooled the space.

“I’m not pretending for you,” I whispered back. “I’m pretending forme. Fake it till you make it.”

Zey gave me a perplexed look. “Lie? To yourself? How? Why? And what are you trying tomake?”

I laughed, drawing some attention from those nearby. It released some of my nervous tension.

“Colloquialism. I’ll explain later.” I fiddled with the collar of his already perfectly smooth shirt. I just wanted an excuse to touch him.

There was a hum of energy in the air as everyone turned towards the front of the room, and the few Vuulectians who had been communicating out loud with the others from Earth stopped speaking.

“The True Leader approaches,” Zey said in my mind. Yeah, I’d kind of figured that.

This ceremony, one of many meetings and ceremonies to take place that day, was more of a formality than anything. But the past several weeks had been building up to this, and it was hard not to be a little nervous.

I’d met with Reg the day after Lowell told me the high-ranking official of our House wanted to speak with me. Zey tried to insist on keeping me in bed to “rest and heal” for longer, but I’d shut him down. He’d made sure I was pumped so full of vamp saliva and witches’ potions and mortal medicine, not to mention food, that I really was feeling almost back to normal.

He’d adorably put his foot down about coming with me—like I’d complain about staying close—and off we went.

The meeting was efficient and smooth. There were apologies about the way we’d both been treated, and Reginald had been quick to offer me the promotion my best friend had mentioned—a directive that had come straight from Odin and Lady Gabriella themselves.

They wanted me to be an ambassador to Vuulectus. All the other Houses agreed—grudgingly, I was sure—that I’d be the best person for the job.

I’d spent a lot of time already learning about Vuulectians and their customs and world, I had an established relationship (professional, of course) with a prominent Vuulectian, and I’d risked my life to ensure the Onuei were recovered and released to the True Leader, thus gaining the respect and trust of their people. Plus—and this part wasn’t stated, but I’d worked for a House long enough to know—it was a bonus to Odin and Lady Gabriella that I was a member of the House of Spirit and Sapphire. That would give them a political advantage over the other Houses, and they were eager to lock me in as the ambassador from Earth before the others could find a way to weasel one of their people in instead.

Zey was quick to point out how horribly they’d treated me after years of loyal service, but Reg wasn’t bothered. He just offered me as much compensation as I wanted and whatever working conditions I desired.

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