Page 31 of A Story of Sinners

“Why are you here?” I asked to break apart the metaphorical pissing contest that was bound to happen.

Malachi’s gaze whipped to me, and he issued a soft smile—an innocent look he had no business attempting. “I came to wish you a happy name day…and give you your present.”

Brandon groaned behind me, the reason why I’d been so upset earlier this morning dawning on him. He touched my shoulder and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“Quiet, Brandon.” Now was not the time. The weapon in his hand and my defense of him had made him enough of a mark.

Malachi’s eyes traced the man at my back, and his lips tilted up. “It’s been a long time, my light. I want to see what you’ve been doing all these years. I want to meet your friends.” His eyes bounced around to everyone I’d ever had close contact with—Aiden, George, Gabriella, Ryken, Eulalia—as if he somehow already knew. A chill raced down my spine. He always had the uncanny ability toknow. “I want to meet your family.” His attention shifted to Redmond at the top of the stands, and a visible shiver wracked my mentor’s shoulders. “We are family, after all, in our own way. It’s only fair for you to show me what life is like on this plane. I’ve been gone for a very, very long time, and I would like to experience this world in all its glory.”

Aiden eyed me carefully. “You know this creature?”

My lips flattened into a line as I willed everyone in the room to remain silent. If there was one thing Malachi enjoyed, it was to hear himself talk. It was best never to interrupt.

He would tire himself out eventually.

Malachi tilted his head at Aiden, studying him like an ant beneath a lens. “You’re in charge here.” It wasn’t a question.

Aiden recoiled and cleared his throat. “I am in charge of this kingdom and hosting this summit.”

Malachi gauged him with interest. “And why wasn’t I invited? This summit has been called to discuss the matter of my world opening into yours, hasn’t it?”

“It has. We didn’t think to invite the shade gods, seeing as negotiations aren’t something they prefer to do.” Aiden’s eyebrows drew together. “Are you their representative?”

The shades behind Malachi snickered as he touched his crown of bone. “Do I look like a representative of the Otherworld? Do representatives typically wear crowns and have a small army at their beck and call?”

Aiden looked baffled. “The shade gods—”

“The shade gods are dead,” Malachi interrupted, his voice darker than before. “I killed them. If there is a god to bargain with, it is me. Only me.”

I tilted my head as shadows writhed at his back, detecting a strange noise that seemed eerily familiar, a sort of echo that made me feel sick to my gut and frozen in place.

A sinister hum.

The vibration of fear.

A dark stain spread across Aiden’s pants, and Malachi laughed, the amused sound reverberating like thunder.

“Invite me to this summit,” Malachi demanded, the pupils in his eyes flexing.

Aiden responded as if in a trance. “You’re invited.”

“Thank you,” Malachi responded, shifting his attention back to me. “I guarantee this will be an enjoyable time. You won’t regret inviting me.”

My brow furrowed as I studied Aiden and the way his vision remained unfocused. What had Malachi done to him? Clarity washed over Aiden’s eyes, and he shook his head, as if regaining his senses. His eyes widened, and he turned to George, clearly shaken.

The room grew silent as death, but Malachi’s eyes remained on mine.

Aiden interrupted the silence, his voice shaky. “In light of today’s new addition, I motion that we dismiss the summit and ponder over new negotiations that can be discussed with the leader of the Otherworld. You are all dismissed. Dinner will be in the ballroom as scheduled.”

The leaders and representatives of each nation rose slowly and gathered their belongings, as if moving too quickly might draw the wrong type of attention. Their eyes darted about the room as they made a cautious exit, sure to give Malachi and his crew a wide berth as they passed. The slow shuffling quieted, and the remaining occupants studied the male claiming to be a god.

Redmond remained high in the rafters, observing the situation below with a keen eye.

Ryken, Eulalia, Fin, and Matilda had all risen but refused to budge. Ryken’s body was coiled and ready to strike as he stared Malachi down.

Malachi still only had eyes for me.

It was George who spoke next, his tone sarcastic. “What should we call you?” When Malachi’s gaze zeroed in on him, he elaborated, “King? Lord? Leader?”

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