Page 33 of Kiss the Dawn
“Hey,” Curi said. “We’re supposed to be meeting Minister Cartwright?”
The sentries made no indication that they’d heard him.
“Someone will be along shortly,” Lorenzo said. “The guard here aren’t permitted to engage with outsiders.”
The door opened a few moments later, and a silver-haired man dressed in emerald robes entered. His gaze swept over us, lingering on me a moment before settling on the gargoyles. “I’m Minister Cartwright, your Isle liaison. Please come with me.”
“Well, maybe we’ll see you around,” Levi said to us.
“It was nice meeting you,” Curi added.
The two followed the minister out of the room, and then it was just Lorenzo and me.
How long would we have to wait? You’d thinkthey’d hurry up and get me considering the fact they wanted me so badly. I flexed my hands to dispel the tingling and breathed past the flutter in my chest. “What is this? Like a holding room?”
“You could call it that.” He gently cupped my shoulders. “Look at me. You’re safe.”
Annoyance flared in my chest because why was he talking to me in that tone? “I’m fine.”
“No. You’re not. You’re on the verge of a panic attack.”
“I don’t have…don’t have panic…attacks.”
But my chest was tight, and it was hard to breathe.
“Here.” He pulled me to his chest and wrapped his arms around me. “Focus on the beat of my heart. Breathe with me.”
What the fuck was happening to me? It was a room, not a box. I was fine. I didn’t react like this. I never fell apart like this.
“Orina, focus…”
I closed my eyes and zoned in on his steady heartbeat and even breath. Long seconds passed as my body attuned to his, and panic lost its grip.
I registered the pressure of his hand on my nape and his fingers on my scalp as he massaged the tension away. I allowed my body to relax and mold to his.
He was warm and firm, and he smelled so fucking good. This, being held by him, felt too good. I pulled away, ducking my head. “Thank you. I’m not sure what happened.”
“It’s a huge toll on a human body going through a witch door,” he said. “You did great.”
I’d take it. “So this place…You were telling me about it?”
“Yes. We’re in the Loop, a part of the Belt which runs around the dominions that make up the Isle. Only residents get to leave this area.”
Wait a second. “You mean we won’t be seeing the Isle properly?”
“I’m afraid not. We’ll be staying here while I examine the contract.”
I’d been hoping to get acquainted with the place that should have been my home. No matter; at least I’d get to meet some of my family.
The door opened again, and this time a woman entered. Tall and athletically built, she had a regal air. Her silver hair was piled high on her head, and she looked to be in her late fifties maybe. She wore a gray dress made of the same material I’d have expected a suit to be made of. High-necked and long-sleeved, it covered her from jaw to foot. And even though we were probably the same height, it felt like she was looking down on me.
A man with dark hair and a beard peppered with silver entered the room behind her. He smiled, and the weight on my chest eased a little because he had kind eyes.
“Mr. Crescent, Miss Lighthart,” the woman said stiffly. “My name is Daphne Bloodmere. We spoke onthe phone. This is Frederick, your grandfather. You’ll go with him, and he will get you situated. Mr. Crescent, you’ll come with me to view the contract.”
I barely registered what she said aftergrandfatherbecause I’d never had a grandfather before. I searched his face to find a similarity between us. Were his eyes the same shade of gray as mine?
“Orina?” Lorenzo gently took my elbow. “Is that all right?”
