Page 61 of Insidious Monsters
A young man with a stunning rainbow mohawk greeted us with a smile. “Can I help you?”
Okay, was I in the right place? “This is the guild precinct, right?”
“It is indeed. Do you have an appointment with one of our guild officers?”
“I need to speak to Devyn Silvercrest, please.”
“I’m afraid Miss Silvercrest isn’t available right now.”
“I know, she’s interviewing mystics. Please, can you page her.”
The door behind us opened, letting in a gust of cold air, and the man behind the reception desk sat up straighter.
I looked over my shoulder at the guy who’d just entered. He was dressed in charcoal clothes, a cross between armor and a combat outfit, padded at the chest, elbows, and knees. The hilt of a sword rose up from behind his tall, broad frame, and his face was hidden behind a full mask that stared down at me blandly even as his dark eyes raked me over, assessing.
“Dalvadis,” the receptionist said. “How can I help?”
“Joe, I need to see Caleb.”
“I’ll page him right away,” Joe said.
What made this guy so special? “Can you please page Devyn too?”
Joe shook his head. “I have instructions not to interrupt Miss Silvercrest, but if you wait—”
“I told you I can help her. You just have to let her know that.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that, but you’re welcome to wait.”
Archie leaned in. “It would be easier to get indignant if he wasn’t so genuinely polite.”
A door behind reception opened and the familiar figure of the monolithic gargoyle Caleb entered. “Dalvadis.”
“Caleb, good to see you.”
Dalvadis strode across the room and through the door Caleb had opened. Caleb glanced my way.
“You’re August’s friend.”
“Yes. Look, I need to speak to Devyn. It’s urgent. It’s about the interviews with the mystics. I think I can help.”
Caleb nodded and looked to Joe. “Page her. Now.”
“Yes, sir.” Joe made the call.
I backed up and took a seat. “I hope this is worth it.”
“It will be,” Archie said. “It has to be.”
Several minutes passed before a harassed-looking Devyn appeared at the door Caleb and Dalvadis had disappeared through.
“Nandi? What are you doing here?”
I stood quickly. “I think I can help with the interviews.”
“Fine. Come with me.”
I crossed the room toward her. “Just like that? I was kinda expecting to have to convince you.”
