Page 35 of The Timeless Vigilante

Sophia nodded. “Yes, and it translates what Gen is saying or otherwise, well, I’m afraid we wouldn’t understand her.”

“Yeah, it would be all like, ‘I desire my chamber to be worthy of a queen and fetch me tea before I goeth to my dragon,’” Amanda said in a sudden refined voice.

Gen laughed at this. “I’m certain that you wouldn’t understand me or me you, without the communication device.”

“Amanda was asking you how you want your room designed,” Sophia explained.

“Oh,” Gen said, a bit stumped, looking around at the bright, shiny marble. “I don’t know. Maybe something warmer and rustic. Something that reminds me of being outside and has a rugged beauty, rather than makes me feel like I’m living inside a stone.”

The house manager grinned at Sophia. “I love her so much, already. She’s going to shake things up.” She returned her gaze to Gen. “And how about food? Do you have any food allergies?”

Gen pursed her lips, wondering what this could possibly refer to in his context. “I don’t think so, but I know how to eat with a fork.”

Amanda laughed loudly, the sound carrying in the large space. “You’re already ten steps ahead of most of the Rogue Riders. I swear, if I can get them to wash their hands before meals, it’s a miracle.”

“Told you,” Sophia said, winking at Gen.

“You’re going to like it here,” Amanda said, pulling out her phone again. “I’ll see to it. Come back around and find me later and I’ll take you to your room. Oh, and I can’t wait to meet your dragon—Emperor. When Dwayne found out about that, the gross vein on his forehead popped out. It was simply marvelous.”

“So he knows everything, then?” Sophia asked. “Hiker gave him the full rundown?”

Amanda nodded, pointing to a far hallway. “And he asked me to send Gen to him as soon as she arrived.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Sophia said, urgently taking Gen by the arm and leading her toward the long hallway behind the stairway to the right.

“Because he asked me to,” Amanda said. “Oh, and Sophia…”

She paused, halting Gen too. “Dwayne wants to see Gen alone. He said, and I quote, ‘Tell Mrs. Goody-Goody Beaufont that she’s not invited to the meeting.’”

A worried expression crossed Sophia’s face, but Gen could tell she worked quickly to cover it, nodding and pointing to a door ahead. “Fine, he’s through there. And you’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll be okay…”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Gen asked, sensing the tension in Sophia’s reply.

“Because he’s going to try and bully you,” Amanda answered.

“And my advice,” Sophia said in a low voice suddenly, “is let him. Just lay low and don’t cause problems.”

“But that’s not what Emperor told me to do out there.” Gen pointed to the door where the dragons were.

Sophia nodded, understandingly. “That was with other, fellow riders. This is different. Dwayne is your leader. Don’t start off on the wrong foot with him. I promise you, it’s for the best. You’re in a better position to see things if you don’t put a target on your back on day one with that man.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

POWER PLAY

Dwayne Stone’s Office, Rogue Rider Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, United States

A low, brutish voice replied, telling Gen to enter when she knocked on the door. Gen stepped into the office, a chamber that seemed to swallow light whole, much like the rumors suggested Dwayne swallowed those who crossed him. The air was thick, laced with a scent of ink and something metallic, not entirely unpleasant but certainly unnerving.

Shelves lined the walls, crammed with objects that made Gen’s skin prickle. There were skulls that might have been more at home on a battlefield than a bookshelf. Alongside them were strange, angular artifacts that caught the dim light, twisting it into shadows that danced too lively for comfort.

Dwayne sat behind a desk that could have served as a barricade, its surface a clutter of parchments and odd, gleaming devices. His hulking appearance was striking. The man was bald as a polished shield and his skin was adorned with inked patterns that could have told stories of battles or dark oaths. He was dressed not in armor, but in attire that hugged his frame, emphasizing the strength within, much like the chieftains of old might have worn their status for all to see.

For a long moment, he studied Gen as she took the spot in front of his desk, rigid and standing tall. His narrowed gaze on her, she knew, was meant to disarm her. To make her squirm. He was begging her to talk, but she knew how to play this power game and would not be unnerved into speaking first.

Sophia was correct about not putting a target on our back with Dwayne Stone, Emperor said in Gen’s head.

But you said?—

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