"I mean, he's worked for us for a long time, so yeah. Sometimes? Maybe?" Her voice is higher than usual, uncertain. "I don't know."
"Well, his name's in your phone, so?" I ask.
"Yeah, but my assistant puts everyone who works at the Trust in here so I know who's calling," she says, looking down at the screen, thumb hovering. "Should I answer it?"
"Yeah," I say, "and put it on speaker."
"Okay, okay." She swipes to accept the call, hits the speaker button, and places it down on the counter.
"Hey, how's it going?" she says, forcing lightness into her voice. But her eyes are locked on mine, wide and wary.
There's a pause on the other end, just long enough to make the silence uncomfortable. Then a man's voice, breathy and rough, comes through.
"I take it you know."
Keira stiffens and her jaw tightens. "Know what, Martin?"
"Callum came to the office looking for me, so I thought you figured it out."
"Damn," she whispers, then mutes the call, her eyes flashing with anger. "They didn't wait for me. I told Declan. God..."
"Hey," I say, rubbing her shoulder. "It's okay. Stay calm. Keep him talking. This is what you do."
She forces a smile, nods, and unmutes the phone.
"You were always kind to me, Miss Killaney," Martin says, his voice softer now. Almost sad.
"Oh, thanks, you were always a good employee," she says, looking at me and shrugging, unsure of what to say.
Martin doesn't respond at first, just breathes heavily. "But your family burned mine to ash," he says, his tone shifting darker.
The man starts making a sound, crying or laughing, I can't tell. It's a wet, choking noise that sounds dangerous.
Keira's face goes pale.
"The Phantom King is coming," Martin says, his voice rising. "Soon. And feathers will find you."
Keira looks up at me and then back down at the phone.
"Martin," she says.
Nothing.
And then a loud bang. It's sharp and unmistakable.
A gunshot.
Keira flinches, her breath catching. "Martin? MARTIN!" Her voice cracks as she says his name again, louder, desperate. "Martin, answer me!"
He doesn't respond. Just silence.
"What the hell just happened?!" She stares at the screen, her hands shaking.
I reach out and end the call.
Her eyes are wide, locked on the now-dark screen. She's breathing too fast, shallow breaths that tell me she's spiraling.
"Who the fuck is the Phantom King?" I ask, my voice low. I know about the Morrígan. And the feathers. I know more than she thinks. But that name is new. No one's told me about him.
