Page 46 of Fallen

Alex wanted to scream. He’d known suspension was a possibility if they found out he’d been hunting the demon in his free time, but it still felt like a sucker punch. “Yes, sir.”

Sloan’s level expression didn’t change. “If you’d like, you can come by and speak with Doctor Maxwell or Father Hawley. I’m sure either of them would be willing to have some sessions with you to help you through this?—”

His eyes slid to Nathan’s, remembering what he’d said about Maxwell and Hawley’s approaches to problems. He wanted Nathan, his captain, hisfriend, to say something on his behalf. But Nathan just met his eyes with resignation, his mouth tightening into a thin line. He would be no help here. Sloan’s word was as good as law amongst the paladins.

Alex pushed himself to his feet. “Permission to be excused, sir.”

Sloan stared at him for a long moment. He didn’t like being interrupted. “Permission granted.”

Alex turned to leave.

“And Paladin Hawk,” Sloan’s voice rang out like a struck gong, rooting Alex to the spot. “If I find out you’ve gone anywhere near that club again, I’ll double your suspension without pay. Do you understand?”

Alex glared at the wall. He didn’t need to go to the club to see Talonorto keep hunting the mozgoran. “Fine,” he groused, wrenching open the door and storming out.

How could they do this? No one was more motivated to find that demon than he was. No one else cared as much, and Michael’s team hadn’t done a damn thing to find the mozgoran. He was the one who’d found where it was nesting. He was the one who’d come so close to it. If they’d just let him go after it like he wanted, everyone would be happy. There would be one less demon in the world, and Alex would have his revenge. There were no downsides to it.

But they wanted control. They didn’t want him doing things out of turn. Did they want him to blindly follow orders? That wasn’t fair. He wasn’t a robot. If someone Sloan cared about was killed by a demon, would he step aside and let another squad handle that fight? Alex doubted it.

A powerful, aggressive stride carried him through the long hallways and down the curving staircase in the foyer. He was almost to the front door when a voice called out.

“Hawk!”

Alex paused, turning toward the voice. He recognized the man—olive-skinned and with warm brown eyes. His chocolate curls were pulled back into a bun, but several strands tumbled around his face, like he’d put it up hastily and hadn’t bothered to look in a mirror since. His name was Ira, and he was a prophet. They’d never spoken, as prophets and paladins weren’t really supposed to interact, but everyone knew everyone in the guild, and Alex knew his name and designation, if nothing else.

“It’s good to see you,” Ira said like they were old friends, but his smile was tight around the edges. He held out his hand for Alex to shake. There was a slip of paper pinched between his fingers.

Alex shook his hand slowly, clenching the paper as Ira’s hand fell away. “Nice to see you, too.”

Ira glanced around to make sure they were alone. “You will be the one to kill it. Save them. They’re what matters.”

Alex’s heart leaped. “Thank you, Ira.”

“Go tonight. Be there by sundown.”

Energy burned through Alex. “Okay, yes, I will.”

He winked one whiskey-brown eye. “I was never here,” he whispered dramatically, backing away.

Alex fought back a grin. “Right.” He shoved the paper into his pocket and rushed out into the cool morning air.

He finally had a lead.

Chapter 15

Talon

Talon was pulledfrom sleep by the cheerful jingling of his phone. Groaning, he rolled over and answered blindly.

“Talon,” he rasped.

Silence.

“Hello?”

“Talon.”

Heat pooled in Talon’s gut at the soft sound of his name from Alex’s mouth. He hadn’t expected to hear from him quite so soon.

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