Page 54 of Devil May Hunt
Rin gave him a once over. “You don’t seem ill.”
“Heat hasn’t hit,” he said.
“Then what’s the rush?” Calder repeated, crossing his arms. “Let’s eat at Tiff’s. There’s a new soda flavor.” He’d returned from his mission with one of the Brumal members last week and was trying to catch up on all the new menu items at his favorite restaurants, which of course meant dragging Brennon and Rin along.
“Can’t.” Brennon grabbed his bag. “My Be’tessi is making dinner tonight. Gotta go.”
“You’re ditching us for—”
“A home-cooked meal and good sex?” Rin finished Calder’s sentence for him, but Brennon merely laughed.
“No way.” He patted his friend on the shoulder. “I’m ditching you for a home-cooked meal and phenomenal sex.”
* * *
“Mr. Cree!” a voice called out to Brennon a few days later as he was heading into the cafeteria, and he paused. A man dressed in an expensive suit was standing at the bottom of the steps, a briefcase clutched in his right hand. He bowed low the moment their eyes met and patiently waited.
“Who’s that?” Calder asked, both he and Rin stopping as well.
“No clue. Go on without me. I’ll catch up.” Brennon waved them off.
“He didn’t call you correctly,” Rin pointed out. “I don’t like him.”
“Me neither,” Calder agreed.
“We’ll wait for you right here.” Rin made a big show of propping a shoulder against one of the stone pillars holding up the balcony above them, staring the man down.
Brennon snorted but didn’t argue, heading back down the steps. “How can I help you?”
“Mr. Cree, I’m—” The man began to extend his hand, but Brennon cut him off.
“It’s Royal Consort actually.”
The man dropped his arm and cleared his throat. “Yes, well, forgive my rudeness. My name is Salz Morgan. I’m a representative sent by Emperor Hangyeol Idris.”
Brennon’s hackles rose at the name of Gunho’s grandfather, but if Salz noticed, he didn’t give himself away.
“If you have a moment,” he man said, “I have something of utmost importance to discuss with you. I’m positive you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
Did he call Gunho? Text him at least? If he made a move for his multi-slate now, Salz would see and…Brennon was curious about what had brought this man all the way here. He’d heard all about how cold-hearted the Emperor of Glyph was, but this was a public setting, and there were witnesses.
Surely Salz wouldn’t try anything.
“Sure,” Brennon agreed.
“Perfect.” Salz held a hand out toward a suspicious black vehicle idling on the side of the road. “If you would.”
“Yeah, no.” He shook his head and slid his hands into the pockets of his black pants, drawing attention to his military uniform, just like he wanted. He smirked when Salz noticeably gulped. “We can talk right here.”
“With all due respect, this is sensitive information. It can’t be leaked.”
“There’s no one else around.” He and his friends had finished later than most, so the campus was practically empty. Everyone who had lunch this time of day was already in the cafeteria, or off finding food elsewhere. “Them? My friends don’t count. They can’t hear you from this distance anyway. Speak, Mr. Morgan, or should I take your reservations as to meaning this isn’t as important as you made it sound?”
“No, no.” Salz straightened. “All right. I only want to speak privately for your own sake. Please don’t be cross with me if your private business gets aired like dirty laundry.”
Brennon shrugged. As if he’d fall for that. “Go on.”
“It’s about your position as Royal Consort to Gunho Idris, Imperial Prince, fourth in line for the throne.”
