AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re sure you’re all right?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”
Masok offered him his hand. Matt hesitated for an instant, his glance flickering to the approaching Kalquorian trio. They gazed at him and Masok in concern...or was it disgust?
It no longer mattered. The damage had been done. Matt took Masok’s hand and nodded to the strangers, who nodded and smiled at him.
He thought perhaps those smiles were false, that they were marking him as someone to discover more about…and maybe report on to those who would find and punish him.
* * * *
Masok flew Matt to where he and Avir worked. He glanced at his companion from time to time, checking to make sure the young man was all right.
He wished he hadn’t merely invited the asshole Dramok who’d insulted Matt outside. He wished, despite his respect for Ileg, he’d pounded the bastard into next week then and there.
At least Matt seemed fine. A little quiet, but the encounter had been upsetting. It was no surprise he’d be silent as he absorbed the awful meeting in the Ileg’s studio.
Masok admitted he’d experienced a moment of real worry when Matt had pushed him away. The wild terror he’d displayed had been a stab to the Imdiko’s heart. No one, especially someone as precious as Matt, should have reason to look like a cornered animal.
Masok thought perhaps he’d benefit from the counseling Kom had recommended. Due to the vocal minority of Kalquorians who opposed human men being granted official clan status, another upsetting encounter could happen. Matt could use the tools to cope with such unpleasantness. Hell, Masok might benefit from a few anger-management techniques as well. He still shook from the rush of fury he’d experienced.
Soon, they were striding down the corridors of the cliff building toward the office Masok and Avir shared. Masok noted the limpness of Matt’s hand in his. The unpleasantness had apparently drained him, poor fellow. His head bowed so his golden hair fell forward. He peered between the strands of the heavy fall at those they approached. Maybe he worried he’d receive another ugly reception?
Masok’s employees greeted him as usual, their glances darting to the small man at his side, no doubt expecting introductions. Masok, intuiting it might be best to give Matt more time to collect his thoughts, indicated he was in a hurry to talk to Avir.
They made it to the office, and Masok was surprised at how much tension drained from him once they stepped inside and closed the door behind them.
“Hey! How was the shopping trip?” Avir stood as Matt shook his hair from his face, his gaze darting around the room. It was spacious, the clanmates’ desks across from each other so they could hold meetings with others individually, if needed. There was also a shared table against a wall, for when they wished to work closer together. Massive window vids displayed the shoreline outside the cliff.
“Ileg was wonderful as ever, but it could have gone better.” Masok described the incident with Desit and Imdiko Tobeg as Matt crept off to explore.
Masok thought Matt cringed when Avir stroked his hair as he passed, and he told himself to stop imagining things. He was becoming as overly sensitive as Kom where Matt was concerned.
Avir scowled at the tale, crossing his arms over his chest. “There’s no excuse for such behavior. I don’t blame you for wanting to beat their asses. In the interest of not having to bail our Nobek out of jail, don’t give him their names.”
“I won’t. I hope these anti-companion sorts won’t be a constant issue, ruining every outing.”
“I doubt it. Most have better sense and breeding. Fortunately, there are more of us than them.”
“How’s the latest emergency?”
“I nearly have it cleared up. Give me half an hour, and we can eat lunch together. Have you heard from Kom? Has he finished his interview?”
“No word.” They turned toward Avir’s desk, and Masok glanced at their familiar surroundings. “Where did…Mattie? Where are you?”
Silence answered. There was no sign of him, but Masok was certain he hadn’t left the office.
“Matt?” Avir’s brows drew together, showing he was as surprised. “Where’d you go, sweetie?”
Still no response. Masok remembered Kom telling them Matt searched every room he entered for places to hide. Had the morning’s events driven him to feel threatened enough to take cover? Surely, in an office where it was only him and his future clanmates, he’d feel safe.
Nonetheless, Masok checked the leg space beneath his desk. He shook his head at Avir, who went to his desk and pulled his hover chair aside. The Dramok’s brows shot up. His expression settled into friendly concern.
“Hey, sweetie. What are you doing under there?”
Masok hurried over and knelt beside Avir. Matt huddled in the space’s corner, his face against his bent knees, arms hugging his shins. Masok could see him trembling, but otherwise, he was motionless.
“Matt? It’s okay. Come out and talk to us. Mattie?”
