"Wonderful," Mason rises to his feet, and smiles at Aldo, " It is settled then. I'll speak with Frankie to see on which dates you are available," Aldo abruptly stands, and splays his hands on his desk, wearing a vicious sneer. He is not happy, that's for sure.
" The only reason you won't grant Miss Abernathy a second chance is because of me. I know the rules, Aldo. Remember? Probably better than you do. I don't care for the little distaste that you have towards me, but leave Miss Abernathy out of it," Mason tucks his hands in his pockets and smirks at Aldo who is on the verge of jumping over the desk and lunges at Mason.
" Now. Enjoy your coffee," Mason turns around and walks towards the door.
Aldo is seething with anger. He is on the verge of exploding.
" I'm sorry," I say flush with embarrassment. That was not what I had in mind. Aldo lowers himself back in the seat and rubs his forehead while I make my out after Mason. I hear the rattle of pills. He is taking an aspirin. That went from bad to worse, pretty fast.
By the time I exit Aldo's office, Mason has already buttered up Frankie, who supplies a new date and I try my best to keep a straight face.
Mason says his goodbye giving Frankie another hot flash. Carter and I, just look at each other still confused and lost.
We make our way to the back of the building and follow to the end of the annexe where Louis headed into, earlier.
There is a small door, bearing a sign that says 'danger' and I'm reluctant to step inside.
" It's just to keep the curious at a distance," Mason says as he pushes the door to a close behind us. Carter seems at odds with himself. He probably thinks I shouldn't be there. I'm not sure if I should be there. But regardless, we walk inside and Mason fishes out of his pocket what appears to be a pouch. Opening the pouch he takes out a small vial, empties it in the palm of his hand, and presses his hand on the wall.
The room glows with various markings that I have never seen before. And slowly the walls begin to shift. Brick by brick, they rearrange themselves creating an entry point.
" Welcome to Zareen Merrat," Mason says pompously, spreading his arms wide, making a show of it. The familiar double doors materialise a few steps in front of us and Mason uses the liquid in the vial to mark the door. Several markings glow within the door, and eventually, they open revealing the looby where Emmy brought us to.
Everything is the same. The wood panelling on the walls, the sconces that glow in dim orange light, the corridor lined with doors, and the absence of windows tell me that it is the same place.
It's no surprise that is empty. Mason turns right and we follow after him. Carter seems at ease, which tells me that this is not his first time within Zareen Merrat. Not my first either.
We reach the alcove with the statues of the ancient Kings. We walk straight through it and saunter into a room full of people who are chattering, and laughing.
We have their full attention as soon as they notice our presence and everyone turns to look at us, curiously. I suppose is not every day such a thing occurs.
There are a few familiar faces in the crowd and a few that haven't seen the last I was in the same room.
Graham's and Shay's absences are the most noticeable because I already know where they are, and I feel the need to call for Shay. Because I know how miserable their lives are in that cave, because of me.
A man wearing a grey suit with androgynous features steps forward. And I'm taken aback by his beauty. He wasn't handsome. He was beautiful.
Perfectly symmetric face, a svelte body, and eyes that resembled the night sky, contrasted by his pale skin, and a jet black hair.
He smiles at me, showing his full set of perfectly white teeth, and I swoon.
Mason laughs," Turn down the dial on your charms Eric. I think the women in this room are ovulating earlier than they should," Mason amusedly says, sliding into a seat.
" New recruit," Eric asks and walks towards us. Walking is a simplification of what Eric is doing because to me he appears to smoothly glide over the floor. In those moments my brain has trouble computing.
" No. Maybe. Depends," Eric arches a perfectly groomed brow and lowers his gaze to Mason in a motion so fluid, that resembles a snake, winding down a tree.
" Interesting. So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your impromptu visit?" Eric asks and slides into the seat next to Mason. The rest of us are standing like the room is a minefield, and we are just waiting for it to explode.
" The usual," Mason casually replies and leans back in his chair, " The Kallah is making noise again. They are quietly bringing the V'asay out of the hell hole they've been keeping them in," Eric nods, and I feel like I'm living someone else's life.
Eric nods, " Have they found the girl?" He asks with a troubled expression, looking around the room.
" Sort of...," Mason trails off and looks up at me. Eric follows his line of sight and mouths an 'O'.
" You know as well as I do, that once he will get his hands on the seals of Yaruun. Is game over for everyone. Right? So, here is what I propose, " Mason takes a deep breath as if uneasy with the words that are about to leave his mouth.
" I no longer have the ability to keep her existence a secret. They already know. It is only a matter of time before they come for us. I need her to be on the grounds of the academy. Up until this point they haven't been able to break through the concealment wards. So, for now, she will be safe here. She is not inclined as the others are but she will need to go through the same training as they do," Inclined to what? Murder? Among a myriad of other possibilities, that one struck a cord. I would never take another person's life.