She nodded. “I know. Go.”
In a shaky, stilted movement so unlike him, he turned from her and went out the front door, never stopping and never looking back, not even that last moment as the door closed behind him.
Even though he would be back, having him out of her sight had her heart crumpling. They were on the verge of something, and this interruption couldn’t have been timed worse.
Michael cleared his throat. His patience was admirable and unexpected, but it was time to deal with him. “Michael, I was wrong to not call you as soon as I was safe, and I’m sorry. But you have no business talking to him like that. He saved me.”
He looked at her, question in his eyes. “I’m confused, Ris. Who is this guy to you? First I thought he was a boyfriend, then an acquaintance who for some reason was guarding you, and now I have no clue.”
She sat on her couch, looking around her room as different ways to tell Michael about Terak formed and were discarded. Her coat was lying by the balcony door. Funny how she didn’t remember taking it off, but every second of Terak tearing off her shirt was seared into her brain. When she was ninety and rocking away in a nursing home, she’d still remember that moment.
“I told you once, he is special and I’d never regret that he had been in my life. That’s still the truth. As for anything further, I’m not going to talk to you about it when we haven’t even discussed it.”
Michael sat down next to her. “I don’t like it, but that’s fair.”
“How did you know I was back in the apartment?”
“When you were kidnapped I brought my unit in to help get you back. I had people everywhere, including watching here. My CO called me and said you were back. It might have been nice if he warned me about the guy with you, though.”
Wait, if they were watching, wouldn’t they have seen Terak with her? Why wouldn’t they have been more worried about the appearance of a gargoyle and given Michael all the details?
But maybe they hadn’t seen her enter. Maybe they simply saw the lights in her apartment go on, and called on that alone.
And maybe the little knot in her stomach was pure nerves and this sense of uneasiness was simply a remnant of a horrible night best forgotten, nothing more.
Maybe.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
‡
Nalith stood out from among the crowd who were waiting, striding toward Terak even before his feet hit stone. “What is this, you imprison the future Meyla?”
His council member was walking a dangerous line. “You will not question me in such a way,” Terak said. “I am sure you have heard of her crimes.”
Larissa did not need to know this was the reason he was called away. Malek contacted him through the same magic means as the silver ball he had given Larissa, to tell him Nalith was inciting discord and close to advocating open rebellion, placing blame on Larissa and questioning why Terak was with her.
Nalith’s voice rose in contemptuous rhythm, so all the surrounding warriors could hear. “I heard no crimes, only how the future mate of our Clan Leader was fulfilling her responsibility to us, in looking to make treaty with those who can assure the future safety of our Clan. You say we should not question you? I say the time for questioning you has been left for far too long. You have abandoned our Clan, instead concentrating all your time on a human female who is unworthy.”
His people were watching this battle. None seemed to be active in their support for Nalith, but many of their faces held a shadow of doubt.
Terak had made his decision this night. His decision – his choice – was Larissa. His Clan would either walk with him on this path and make their way together among the New Realms, or he would forge his own path while gargoyles stayed in the shadows and hidden in their keep.
Either way, the Clan’s future would be decided tonight.
That didn’t mean he would give up without a fight. “You would have as my mate one who would defy the desires of Clan and Council? Valry is no longer my Intended. She lost that privilege by conspiring with vampires. So careful Nalith, or I will think you were in league with Valry in her betrayal. Do you wish to be inside the prison as well?”
Nalith straightened to his full height “Is it so wrong I wished to hear how our people could be more powerful in this realm?”
“So do you admit you contacted the vampires with Valry?”
“With pride.” Nalith’s eyes blazed, his lips peeled back from his teeth. “I served to the best of my ability our strong Meyla, not our weak Mennak.”
“Then in front of all the warriors assembled, you admit treason and dare try to make it appear noble? Did you see treaty with the necromancers as the way for the Clan to gain power, or for you?”