Page 87 of The Fake Divination Offense
And I tuck that away as well.
At the edge of the parking lot, sitting on a bench under a tree, Gulus is dressed in casual clothes, reading a newspaper.
Okay. That’s going to be kind of creepy.
Treva appears in front of me as I take a step toward Bel. “Mr. Monroe, you and Mr. Warden are needed in Ms. Sombercrown’s office.Now.”
My stomach knots. I want to get Bel to my apartment. I need him somewhere safe.
But that exact attitude is why I told Ilbryen to let him stay with me, so Bel could get out andlive.
“Yeah,” I say, beckoning Bel over. “I figured.”
It’s only Roesia in her office, and I breathe a little easier that I won’t have to deal with an Urzoth rep through this.
Not that anything’s going to change. In fact, Drach will bethrilled by the progression of mine and Bel’s relationship. It’s only in my head that I expect a bit of gloating, like he’d known I was trying to weasel my way out and somehow ended up evenmorecommitted to Urzoth than before.
I have Bel’s hand in mine where we sit on the couch. Treva is taking notes on a tablet while Roesia leans back in her chair, legs crossed, her orange eyes going from my face to our joined hands and back.
Next to me, Bel shifts.
And shifts again.
And makes a low, pained whimper.
Oh.
We only had sex, like, five hours ago, plus the long bus ride. He’s sore.
Half of me wants to find him something softer to sit on.
The other half of me is ragingly turned on, wants to caveman grunt and beat my chest.
Neither half can do jack shit right now without things getting really, really weird.
“Reverend Drach apologizes for being unable to join us,” Roesia says, yanking my focus to something significantly less boner-inducing. “Had you responded to any of my assistant’s attempts to reach out last night, we would have been able to set up something more formal.”
My grip on Bel clenches.
I told Ilbryen we need to double down on Bel’s association with Urzoth.
So I will.
“I apologize, Ms. Sombercrown,” I say. “We were understandably rattled by last night’s news. But, luckily, something else has been in development that I think will help offset some of the strain the Urzoth church is under. It should please Reverend Drach.”
Roesia’s head tips ever so slightly. “Oh?”
“Alexo and I are moving in together.”
Bel leans against my arm, bringing his other hand up to playwith my thumb where it’s locked around his. I’m not sure what’s causing the tension suddenly winding through him, but I don’t lose focus. Can’t. Just get through this, do this performative dance, and we can leave.
Treva, typing away, glances up. “Um. What?”
I give her a small smile. “You were right in picking up that we are really together. We have been for some time. And we’re taking our relationship to the next level, which should provide an excellent opportunity for Reverend Drach to capitalize on more positive Urzoth press, which will also give me and the Hellhounds positive press.” My throat swells, and I clear it. “Do you—are you aware of how the church is responding to the abduction?”
Bel goes motionless.
Roesia nods. “Their followers are understandably upset, but to channel their anger, the church is planning several demonstrations ofUrzoth’s strengthin cities across the country.” I must not do a good job of wiping the fear off my face, because she bats her hand. “Duels among followers, nothing that will endanger bystanders. They are trying toimprovetheir image, after all.”
