Page 96 of Cruel Master
They approach a door. It doesn’t look like anything special, but instead of kicking it in, someone sticks something to it. The guys back off, the big guy says, “Clear,” and an explosion blasts through the speakers.
I flinch, and Hadrian tightens his grip around me. “Are you okay? We can leave if you like.”
“No. I’m good. I want to see.”
Candice gave the big guy a rundown on what happened when he arrived, then I heard it again when the boss showed up. I do want to see this. I need to see the man—Dimitry—who was willing to kill me and Hadrian just because Hadrian beat him to a discovery. What a pathetic bastard.
Anger strengthens me, and I focus on the screen as the team rushes through the door. The next minute is a rush of movement and shouts. They seem to know where Dimitry will be, as they all head the same direction. A booted foot kicks in a door, and I get my first look at him.
The monster is an average-looking guy, tall and lean with short blond hair. He presses against the wall like a cornered animal as the team rushes in. Beside him is a bank ofmonitors similar to Hadrian’s, and they show Candice’s faked video feeds.
It’s eerie, seeing myself slumped in a chair and Hadrian seated on the altar, clutching my sketch book. The timer counts down, and there’s only seven minutes left.
If it weren’t for Candice, Hadrian would have seven minutes left to live.
Dimitry obeys the big guy’s shouted instructions, dropping to his knees and placing his hands behind his back. Once he’s secured, the team splits up, cameras moving in a confusing jumble as they check the rest of the house. One tries a door, finds it locked, and kicks it in.
A woman sits on a low single bed, hands pressed to her face, shoulders shaking. The soldier pulls up short and asks, “His Ward, sir. What shall I do with her?”
The big guy answers, “Hold up. I’ll talk to her.”
What? This monster, who almost gassed us, had a Ward? Fuck. That poor woman. I don’t even want to think about what she might have gone through.
I watch through the soldier’s camera as the big guy approaches the woman. His voice is surprisingly gentle as he says, “We’re taking your Patron into custody. You need to come with us too, but you’re not in any trouble, okay? We just need to ask you a few questions.”
The boss speaks. “Thank you, Jacob. I’ll meet you in detention shortly. Cut the feed.”
I’m not sure if the last instruction was aimed at Jacob, Candice, or Hadrian’s computer, but someone did as they were told, as all the monitors except for Candice’s go black. The boss approaches, and Hadrian stiffens behind me. He speaks before the boss does, “Kendrick, I’d like to introduce my Ward, Juliet.”
Those elocution lessons might have had some value after all. Kendrick, with his immaculate suit and sharp, regal features, reminds me of old British nobility. The sort of man who would appreciate good grammar and pronunciation.
And right before Hadrian turned up, I was yelling in his face. He doesn’t seem inclined to bring it up, though, as he gives me a polite nod and says, “Very pleased to meet you.”
Am I pleased to meet him? The guy who runs this cult? Not really, but the pull toward politeness is just too strong. “And you, too.”
Pleasantries over, Kendrick immediately focuses on Hadrian. “I’m glad to see you’re well. I’d like you to visit Medical for a checkup.”
“There’s no need, sir, Candice stopped the gas before any was released.”
“I understand that, but shock has a way of catching up with you. A checkup, please.”
Hadrian sighs but says, “Of course.”
“And tomorrow, once you’ve had a chance to recover and rest, come to the boardroom at two. I need to call a meeting.”
He doesn’t say what it’s about, but the reason is obvious. The superpowered AI who is currently chatting with Quinn, looking for all the world as though she’s not listening in. I don’t buy it for a second. She could listen in to a hundred conversations at once if she wanted to.
“I’ll be there. Thank you.”
Kendrick nods, says a few words to the Gilda, and they all leave. Quinn turns from Candice long enough to shoot Hadrian a dark look—obviously, she hasn’t forgiven him yet—then she pointedly pulls on a VR headset without a word. The pure attitude makes me smile. I might like her.
Hadrian shifts so we’re face to face. Well. That’s it. It’s all over. What now? A rock lands in my gut. Will he take me back to my cell? Before, it felt safe, if restrictive. Now, though? Even the thought of it makes my hands shake.
“My cell… I don’t want to—”
Hadrian grips my hands in his inked ones. It’s still strange seeing the marks on his skin. “You’re never going back in there. I’m taking you home.”
Home? For a second, I think he meanshomehome. The brand-new apartment I never even got to decorate properly. But then he adds, “It’s nothing special, but it has a real bed. And a real bathroom.”
