Silas scoffed, then swung his boots off the table with a thud. He leaned forward on his elbows, eyes narrowing as he looked her over, head tilted slightly like a wolf sniffing out weakness.
"Why would he pick Crimsonclaw of all places?" he muttered, more to himself than her.
Serena did wonder why as well, but she chalked it up to the Cardinal pack being farthest from Ironshade. If she thought too much about it, a headache might set in.
"Rogue," he said finally.
It ticked her off, the way only Darius, Anna, and Jack seemed to respect her enough to call her by name. Still, she perked up, giving him her attention.
"I’m listening, General," she said coolly.
"Do you know why I am a general?" he asked, his tone patronizing, like he was addressing a slow-witted child.
A rhetorical question, there was no answer she could provide. Serena narrowed her eyes and swallowed. She would not let this man run over her.
"Would you care to tell me why?"
Silas laughed and shook his head. "You have a strong head on your shoulders, so I will tell you why."
He leaned closer, voice dipping into something cold and grave. "I am a general because I have been tested. Time and time again. I’ve felt the heart of rogues split beneath my hands. I’ve been baptized in blood that wasn’t mine."
Serena squeezed the fabric tighter, this was a threat.
"You’re not the first rogue I’ll see to their end," he went on, letting the threat hang in the air. His eyes dragged over her once more, then he smiled. "Your reward for saving the Scoutmaster and those pups would’ve been a quiet exit from Ironshade. Alive."
"I am not here to do-"
"Enough," Silas said, bringing his fist down on the table, causing Serena to flinch. "You are a sleek one, aren’t you?"
This was Livia all over again- posturing, threats, an undercut of malice in every syllable. Serena couldn’t tell which of them was worse. If Darius hadn’t stood in the way, she wouldn’t be sitting here now. She’d be a smear in the dirt- "practice for his boys."
Serena remained silent and waited for him to be done with his tirade.
"I don’t know what’s gotten into Darius... or what you’ve got over him," Silas muttered, eyes narrowing again.
Serena met his gaze, slow and steady, then licked her lips.
"But I promise you, give me one slip, or a reason to think you might have ulterior motives towards Ironshade..." He flashed a smile at her. "Then forget about seeing spring."
Serena chewed the inside of her lip and exhaled slowly. She urged herself to say something, to not freeze up when he blatantly threatened her.
"I assure you, General," she said, voice even, "you have no reason to worry."
Silas let out a bellow of laughter, leaning back. "I’m not worried," he said smugly. "But I’m glad you’re clever enough to understand where we stand, rogue."
"I see why Darius picked Crimsonclaw. You look like you’re from the East, but Crimsonclaw is so..."
"Precisely. Those wolves are a force to reckon with, and well, you..."
He needed not say more, his eyes had done all the speaking. Serena looked down at her hands briefly before she looked up. This man would not discourage her.
"I would love to see what acting you would do. The goddess has finally brought a trial for you."
With that, the man stood up and walked out of the office, leaving Serena with her thoughts. When she heard the door close softly, she exhaled, her shoulders falling.
She rested her head on the desk, cheek pressed to the wood as she let out a long, defeated sigh.
Serena straightened, dragging a hand through her hair with more force than necessary. Her fingers snagged on a knot, and she let out a groan, half from pain, half from frustration.
"Calm down," she muttered, wincing as she pulled again, untangling the knot with gritted teeth.
Serena told herself this was what she signed up for, this was nothing.
She rose from the seat and smoothed her skirt. She finger-combed through her hair and practiced a smile. Serena walked over to the door and turned the knob.
Darius turned to meet Serena coming out from the building. She had a smile on, to his surprise. Silas had come out of the building before she did. It raised off alarms in his head, and he wanted to check, but thought otherwise.
Silas was a smart man. It could be that Darius was grateful for Emmett’s life, but other than that, he should not care for a rogue.
"Serena," he called out.
The blonde woman walked over, arms clasped behind her back. All around were people of various ages training with weapons; some engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
"Are you alright?" Darius asked, inspecting her face.
"I’m quite alright. General Silas and I had a nice chat," Serena said.
Darius hummed in acknowledgement. He noted the way Serena called Silas by his other title. A proud man, Silas liked letting other people know his importance in the pack.
A man jogged up to them and bowed low. Serena’s eyes landed on the man. He was older than her, closer to her brother’s age.
Darius smiled briefly before he nodded at the man. "Commander," Darius greeted.
The man turned to Serena, and his breath caught audibly. His eyes widened in genuine surprise, and a boyish grin crept onto his face.
"Ambassador- oh, you’re even more beautiful in person."
Serena blinked, caught off guard. Her smile slipped into something bashful. She extended her hand, and the man took it without hesitation, bending low to press a kiss to her knuckles.
Darius’ smile faltered for a split second. He was uncomfortable. Why had Alexander opted to kiss her hand rather than shake it?
"Thank you very much, Commander," Serena said.
"I am the Commander of the Guard, Alexander Skylash," he introduced, puffing his chest slightly. "And I will be your guide for the day."
"Ambassador Serena Evers," she replied smoothly.
The title had rolled off her tongue easily, she would have to get used to introducing herself that way.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful woman," Alexander said, flashing her another grin. Latest content published on novel[f]ire.net
Serena chuckled, unbeknownst to her, Darius’ smile had all but faded. His eyes lingered on Alexander for a second too long.