Page 149 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Graeson looked at Kallie, and she already knew she would not like what he said next.
"Stay here."
Kallie snorted and pushed past him. These were their friends. If something was happening, she was better suited to take care of it than he was. The last thing they needed was Graeson to transform and destroy Menz’ house entirely.
She ran up the steps, taking them two at a time. Graeson was right on her heels, matching her pace. When they reached Graeson and Moris’ room, they stopped and gaped at the sight inside.
One mattress was skewed on the iron frame with half of it lying on the floor. Blankets were thrown across the room, and feathers were scattered across the floor. A pillow ripped in half lay on the ground, discarded. Moris' body was curled into a little "C", his limbs tied together like a pig. With his wings flattened beneath him, he strained against the bonds. When his eyes locked onto the pair at the door, Moris spoke around a belt that had been wrapped around his head, muzzling him.
"Nice of you two to show up," Ellie said, sitting cross-legged on the other bed, checking her cuticles. She blew a piece of white hair from her face as her attention flicked to them.
"What the fuck happened?" Graeson asked. "Why is he hog-tied?"
"Why wereyounot watching him?" Ellie countered. Her gaze slipped to Kallie, and she narrowed her black eyes.
Kallie straightened, her cheeks burning. Graeson’s shirt was half unbuttoned, and the remaining buttons were mismatched after he hastily did them as they ran inside.
Moris mumbled something unintelligible around the gag. Drool trickled from his mouth and dripped onto his chest.
"Will you just tell us what the fuck happened already?" Graeson demanded.
Ellie waved at Moris. "Flyboy over here had a nightmare or some shit. He started mumbling. I tried to ignore him and fall back asleep. But then he started screaming, so I, being the niceand kind-hearted person I am, came over here to yell at the two of you," she said, pointing at Moris and Graeson. "Him for the screaming and you for?—"
"Me?" Graeson interrupted, wide-eyed. "Why me?"
"For not shutting him up and for allowing him to interrupt my beauty sleep!"
Kallie snickered in amusement.
Ellie glared at her with a knowing look.
"So…" Kallie said, shifting the heat away from her, "You hog-tied him because he woke you up?"
Ellie scoffed. "Of course not. Although I wouldn’t put it past me. Flyboy is tied up because hepunchedme when I checked on him."
Moris muttered what sounded like a disagreement.
"And he punched you because…?" Graeson prompted, skeptical.
Ellie rolled her eyes. "Ididn’t start it, if that’s what you’re suggesting. He woke up all wild-eyed, like a god was possessing him, and punched me. Then he tried to tackle me to the ground, and well…you can see how that ended."
Moris grumbled again. He stopped fighting the restraints, though, and his breathing was calmer than when they had arrived.
Graeson folded his arms. "Why is he gagged?"
Ellie shrugged. "He was annoying me."
Graeson groaned and approached Moris. Crouching down beside him, Graeson took the belt off, allowing him to speak.
"I’m sorry. I—I didn’t know it was her," Moris sputtered. He looked at Graeson. "I swear I didn’t. I thought?—"
Graeson grabbed Moris by the shoulders. "Breathe, Moris. Calm down. It’s fine."
"Tell that to my new bruise," Ellie muttered, poking her swollen cheek and wincing.
Kallie shook her head and joined Graeson. Her power stirred within her, a pool of humming energy standing by. She pressed a hand on his arm. "Ignore her. We just want to understand what happened," she said calmly.
Moris took a deep breath. "I—" He swallowed, choking on the words. He squeezed his eyes shut, deep grooves marking his forehead.
