Page 55 of A Raven Returns

Ash shook his head sharply, a scowl settling over his face. He unlocked the door and waved the man inside before closing them in. He was tired and grumpy, and he didn’t want to deal with whatever this was right now.

“I don’t use my title here. It’s just Ash.” He settled himself behind his desk.

Allister nodded. “Apologies.”

“Do the intelligence services routinely call upon people before dawn?”

“Not routinely, no. But I had heard that this time of day might be a good time to catch you.”

“I have a lot on my plate at the moment, let’s just get right to it. Tell me what it is the intelligence services want from me, so I can tell you no, and you can be on your way.”

Allister didn’t respond immediately. His face was blank and completely unreadable, even for Ash.

“The truth is, it isn’t the intelligence services who want your help. It’s me.”

Ash sighed. He didn’t like being misled. “And you thought the best way to go about trying to gain my assistance was to lie to me?”

Ah, there it was. Finally, a tell Ash could read to know what the man was feeling. A deep breath and an involuntary tic beside his eye. He was nervous and wondering now if he’d made an error. He was good at hiding his emotions, but Ash was better at reading them.

“Perhaps it wasn’t the best decision, but I didn’t know if you’d see me otherwise.”

“And what help could I possibly offer you that your employer cannot?”

“My personal problems are not the concern of the intelligence services.”

Ash shrugged. “Well, I guess you’ve given your loyalty to the wrong people then. For the people who work for me, their problems are my problems.”

He nodded slowly. “Not all of us are so lucky.”

“I have something important to see to, Allister, so what is it you need help with?” Ash was getting impatient.

“I can’t afford to pay you, but I was hoping perhaps I could offer you my services in some way in exchange for your assistance with a delicate matter.”

“I have no interest in the services of someone who isn’t loyal only to me.”

Allister closed his eyes briefly. It was obviously something important to him, but Ash didn’t have time or patience for games tonight. Gwen was upstairs waiting for him.

“Very well,” Allister said after a moment, his jaw clenching tightly. He got to his feet and placed his hat atop his head. “Before I go, you should know, you have blood on your hands.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he said irritably. Was the man accusing him of something?

“It means, you have blood”—he looked down at the desk—“on your hands.”

Ash looked down, there were flecks of blood covering the back of his right hand that rested on top of the desk. Christ. He must have it all over him.

He sighed, weariness settling over him. “It’s been a long night.”

Allister nodded but didn’t say anything more.

“When you’re ready to offer me your loyalty, Allister, come back and we can talk.”

“I don’t really have that luxury. There are others I have to consider besides myself.” And with that, he left.

Ash shook his head. What a waste of time. He left his office and tracked down some water and a cloth. He cleaned the blood from his hands and wiped his face for good measure. He couldn’t very well strip down and wash his whole body, so it would have to do for now.

When Ash entered his chambers a few minutes later, Gwen sat on his piano bench, her arms wrapped tightly around one of his pillows. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her eyes were red and swollen. She dropped the pillow, scrambled off of the bench, and sprinted toward him.

“It’s alright, Gwen.” He grabbed her shoulders and held her away from him. “I’m sorry love, but I can’t hold you yet. I need to get cleaned up first. Can you give me just a few more minutes?” He hated his inability to comfort her immediately.

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