Page 12 of Warrior's Reign
She movedher legs off the table, rising to her feet. “We already danced once today. You want to go another round with me?”
“I know more about you than you think, Obe’shan. Have a care.”
And Benyon had accusedherof melodrama. “If you say so. Let’s just go through my duties, right?”
“My Second will deal with the orientation.” He reached into his robes and withdrew a palm sized datapad, and tossed it onto the couch next to her. “This is what we will discuss.”
Reign picked it up, swiped through the file, and tossed it onto the table. “My academic records, and my work history. What’s not obvious?”
“Jokdaht.”
Not even a twitch let him know the pain that word caused. The client she’d lost had also been a friend.
“Jokdahtwas my right,” she said finally. “What of it?”
“You are a follower of Haeemah. You were not merely one of those who sought training under her roof. You believed.”
She had, and she did. “What is your point?”
“Jokdahtis a break in Silence. Haeemah’s followers are expected to rise above seeking retribution, even when justified.”
Reign’s lips twisted. “Do I look Silent to you?”
“No.” His expression was smooth, the word a hard condemnation. “You look as if you have barely stepped foot on the path. Your disquiet precedes you. Numar would be disappointed—he expected so much more.”
Her mocking smile disappeared. “What I know aboutAdekhyunNumar is that he wouldn’t want anyone speaking for him.” But the words were still a dagger in the gut. “If all you want to do is tell me I’m not worthy of my training, we can end this interview now.”
“If you are unworthy, it is because you have made yourself so.”
Her fingers ached to curl into a fist and smash into his jaw. Something in his eyes told her he knew it. Despite her blank expression, this guy read her. Reign turned and walked towards the swath of windows looking out over the city.
“What are your concerns?” she asked after several cleansing breaths, and a brief internal chant.
“We’ll set aside my concerns for now.”
Reign tensed. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her, but she’d felt him. She turned, and waited for him to continue.
“What I will extract from you is a vow.”
Their gazes clashed. Her body tensed, an edge of strange energy riding her spine. He was too close—she felt the strength of his body, the force of his mind. “Who are you that I should make a vow to you?”
Azure dark eyes stared down at her. “You will serve Ibukay, but you will begin the second cycle of your training. You will fulfill what your transcripts suggest you have the potential to become.”
Why did he give avakshit? “I can’t live at the academy and guard Ibu.”
“No, but certain permissions have been granted considering the circumstances. I will take up some of your training myself, as duties permit.”
“What? You’re noAdekhyun.”
“No. But Numar is satisfied nonetheless that I am fit to oversee your training. Itispart of what I do for those under my command.”
There should have been sarcasm in the deep, smooth voice, but there was none. Her hackles rose anyway. “Fine. I’ll train. What else?”
“Daily meditations, as your disquiet pains me. You may join me if you wish, though there is a garden set aside for the others among the guard who also worship. I assume you have no objection, as you are a follower?”
Reign grit her teeth. “No.” She had problems sitting still, but he didn’t need to know that. . .unless that was in her transcripts, too. Damnit, she wasn’t some green young thing in her twenties anymore. Not that any Low Tier Earth girl wasevergreen.
“Good. Your submission is gratifying. I expected more discussion.”
