Page 58 of Wolf of Ashes
Every other man moves out of his way as Vanguard steps into the room and approaches us at a dangerously stealthy glide, his footfalls practically silent. Despite keeping their sights on us, the other men also manage to incline their heads as if they would normally bow to him.
It makes me wonder: Couldhebe the new Ultima Nostra?
But no. If that were the case, Jonah wouldn’t have referred to him as “Vanguard.” Once anointed, the Ultima Nostra is only referred to by that title. If that reasoning holds true, then my father’s brother—my uncle—is still my most likely suspect.
It doesn’t mean Vanguard wasn’t complicit in my father’s death, and I don’t know for sure if Vanguard willingly stood—or stands—at the side of my father’s murderer. There are still so many questions, but none of them are my biggest problem right now.
At Vanguard’s appearance, the other men seem to have relaxed, including Jonah, as if they feel they have nothing to fear now that he’s here.
It’s unsettling.
Worse, Diavolo’s jaw has tightened, tension builds in his shoulders, and darkness grows across his features. Sapphire light glimmers around his fingertips and he seems to have forgotten to use the wand as a decoy.
My mother told me that James Vanguard was a snake shifter, but the man I’m looking at is certainly far more than that.
Well, now I’m worried.
CHAPTERTWENTY
“General Vanguard.” Jonah greets the newcomer, but it seems he doesn’t need to say more.
“I see the problem.” Vanguard’s voice is low and sends a chill down my spine.
He keeps his eyes on us as he stops at Jonah’s side.
It doesn’t feel far enough away.
I fight the urge to glance at the door behind us, plotting our exit if we need it.
“They claim to have come through a green door,” Jonah says.
Vanguard barely reacts, but his focus flickers from us to the door at the end of the corridor behind us.
I’m not imagining it. He sees it. I’m sure he does.
Despite that, he says, “They’re lying. There is no such door. Only a wall.”
What little tension remained in the room seems to lift.
“Jonah and I will deal with them,” Vanguard says calmly. “The rest of you, get the fuck out.”
He doesn’t raise his voice, but the other men scatter, pouring from the room. Only Jonah remains at Vanguard’s side.
The last man closes the far door behind him.
Diavolo sends me a sharp glance, and I appreciate that he hasn’t lashed out yet. Or spoken up, for that matter. The darkness on his face tells me he won’t have pleasant things to say.
As it turns out,Imight not have pleasant things to say, either. This man was one of my father’s generals. If he’s still part of the empire, then he either betrayed and killed my father himself or turned a blind eye to that betrayal. Neither makes me like him very much.
Of course, I can’t let on about that at all.
I remind myself that I’m nothing more than a mercenary looking for work.
“General James Vanguard.” I incline my head without taking my eyes off him. “We were hoping we might meet you.”
He arches an eyebrow at me. It’s his left eyebrow and it accentuates the scar. It’s strange that he has a scar at all. The most powerful supernaturals usually heal completely due to their considerable powers. I can’t help but wonder how he got it.
Still, I think my comment has genuinely surprised him. I imagine nobody looks forward to meeting this man.
