Her lips pressed together into a hard line.
“I see.”
“Azzy,” Kaine’s voice came from beside me. “It’ll be a quick thing, I promise?—”
I held up my hand to silence him, my attention still directed to Wilhelm.
“I will go to the Cradle myself.”
Kaine sucked in a breath, and Wilhelm’s brow furrowed.
“Azrael, you can’t be serious?—”
“This event brings ill omen, Wilhelm. I wish for the Urchins to remain in Paradise while I am gone, to ensure the safety of our people.”
The woman studied me for a moment before nodding. “If that is what you wish, Azrael. I have no objections.”
“It is. I will set out for the Magi-City within the hour.”
Wilhelm nodded, turning to the man accompanying her. He bowed and walked quickly toward the exit.
“There is another matter that I wish to discuss with you before your departure. One of… a sensitive nature.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Kaine said with a grunt, shuffling off in the same direction. “Don’t skip town just yet, Azzy. You deserve another chewing.”
Once the room had been vacated, Wilhelm and I took seats at the table across from one another. She seemed nervous. I could smell the stench of it on her skin.
“What is it?” I asked when the silence had stretched to its limits.
“There’s something more I wanted to discuss with you, even before the reports started coming in from the Magi City. It’s about those residing in Bastien’s flat.”
“What about them?”
“I’m aware that Tobias’s sister has been brought without my knowledge. Word has spread through Paradise of her arrival, and some of the elders have shared their concerns over their presence here. They believe that it’s only a matter of time beforethe Magi Council will come looking for her, and the Greenes’ presence here puts Paradise at great risk.”
“Do you agree with that sentiment?”
Wilhelm hesitated, something shifting behind her golden eyes, like a shadow passing across the moon.
“My feelings are complicated, Azrael. But the elders’ concern is not unwarranted. I cannot allow anything that threatens this place, Azrael. I do hope you understand.”
“All too well,” I replied. “Heavy is the mantle that you wear, Wilhelm. I do not wish to add to the weight any more than I already have.”
“We can discuss it further when you return. I’m sure Bastien will give me more than an earful on the matter.”
“There’s something to look forward to.”
“Do be careful out there, Azrael. The world is a strange place as of late, and I fear it only grows stranger by the hour.”
I manage the most convincing smile I can muster.
“I will do my best.”
Kaine wasn’t waiting for me outside of the meeting hall as I expected he would be. As I made my way through the narrow streets of Paradise, I looked for him to be behind every corner. But my anxiety only grew as I arrived at Bastien’s flat without seeing hide nor hair the man.
Retrieving the spare key from a nearby flower pot, I turned the lock, expecting to find solitude. Instead, I was greeted by a familiar face.
“Welcome, Master Azrael,” greeted the familiar Unseen, a wrinkled smile spreading his lips. “Ms. VanDoughten will be delighted to know you’ve stopped by.”
