“Then what?”
“I do not know yet.”
I study him, searching for anything he’s not saying.
“You’re worried.”
“I am cautious.”
“You’re worried,” I repeat.
His mouth tightens slightly. “Yes.”
I nod once. “Good.”
He looks at me. “Good?”
“Yes. Because if you weren’t, I’d be concerned about your judgment.”
That almost earns a smile.
“I will investigate,” he says.
“Quietly.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not going to go interrogate him like a terrifying infernal overlord.”
“I am always a terrifying infernal overlord.”
“Rhazek.”
“I will be subtle.”
“Define subtle.”
“I will not set anything on fire.”
“That’s a low bar.”
“It is an effective one.”
I huff a quiet breath, some of the tension easing. “He’s acting normal.”
“That does not mean he is.”
“I know.”
We stand there for a moment, the bond steady between us, the house quiet around us.
“He kept training,” I say. “Like nothing happened.”
Rhazek nods slowly. “He would.”
“I’m going to watch him.”
“I expect nothing less.”
