Chapter 26 The information
IRA’S POV
Ruel and Elric walk ahead of me, their steps heavy against the stone floor as they leave the hall. I glare at Ruel’s back...
His broad, steady, infuriating back.
Slowly my eyes drop to his legs, watching him march with calm confidence, his hands tucked in his pocket.
Elric matches his stride. And guess who trails beside them?
Scarface.
My jaw clenches so hard all the teeth in my mouth nearly break off.
Of course Ruel is still talking to that obvious manipulator. Of course he’s listening to him as if Cortis’ accusations against him hold no root.
With the little I'd witnessed, it's obvious Scarface deceived those warriors into believing Ruel hasn't made any reasonable complaints to the alpha King. So how can Ruel not see that?
Or is he the actual manipulator here?
Their voices echo within the corridor in guarded deep tones as we head further through a route I know very well.
At least I know to avoid this part of the base when I eventually escape.
Scarface carefully steps closer to Ruel. “Commander, I truly meant no disrespect earlier. My words were only meant to ease tension at the table.”
Ruel’s shoulders stiffen.
“But Cortis took it the wrong way.” Scarface says, allowing a bit of annoyance slip through his tone.
Ruel doesn’t answer immediately, in fact he doesn't respond at all. With his neck straight, he keeps walking.
Elric sighs. “Sergeant Scarface… the only reason you weren't openly questioned today is because you are of higher ranking than the rest of them. That would have been an insult to you. But our silence doesn't mean you are off the hook.”
Scarface laughs lightly. “Sergeant Elric, you wound me. I've served the Commander faithfully. How can I spread such rumors when I, more than anyone else, knows how deliberate the commander has been concerning our welfare. If some warriors misunderstand or misinterpret…”
“If some warriors misunderstood and misinterpreted anything, you would have cleared the air yourself, ensuring false news wasn't spread under your name.” Elric snaps and I fight the urge to vocally support him from my position behind them.
Scarface’s smile drops into a scowl but he quickly masks it.
In silence we approach a large, brown door that reminds me of the heaviness that sits in my heart.
What grabs my attention though is what's attached to the door… a key.
Still in the lock.
I glance forward at all three men walking ahead of me. Behind me are some guards stationed at several corners of the corridor. But there's no one at the door a few steps ahead.
My breath catches as I contemplate doing it.
They’re too absorbed in their ridiculous conversation to notice anyway. Ruel looks annoyed, Elric is openly irritated, and Scarface is still busy deceiving himself… and well, Ruel.
As I get closer to the door, I fight the urge to check around me. That would only sell me off. Acting tensed is the fastest way to miss a golden opportunity.
The key gleams as the torchlight from a passing guard rolls off it.
My steps almost don’t touch the ground.
My fingers hover.
My heartbeat pounds, my fingers move in tandem with every second I count down.
Three, two, one…
I shift, as subtle as a cat, turning a tiny part of my body to hide my hand.
Then I reach for the key.
My eyes widen as Ruel’s head turns at the exact same time.
The lonely metal slides out from the lock smoothly, sitting coldly in my palm a second before those cold orbs settle on me.
A pulse of satisfaction sparks through me when he looks away.
That was freaking close.
I subtly tuck it into my belt while striding behind them as if nothing happened.
Scarface clears his throat. “Commander,” he starts once we step out onto the path leading to commander Ruel’s study. “I assure you, Cortis misread the situation and now I fear everyone will begin to doubt my loyalty.” he says, secretly glaring at Elric.
Ruel suddenly stops walking. His voice is low, smooth when he speaks. “I will handle Cortis. You need not concern yourself.”
My jaw literally drops.
Scarface bows, and I swear I see the triumph flickering across his face. It makes me want to slap it straight off him.
“Thank you, Commander. Your understanding means a lot to me. I know even if those who should have my back begin to distrust me, you will always be fair in judgement and never jump into conclusions like…others.”
The audacity of this man! Am I the only one seeing how fake he is? Why isn't Elric saying anything? I mean, he's clearly addressing him at this point.
“That is all, Sergeant,” Ruel mutters. “You may leave.”
Scarface salutes again. It's so exaggerated I could throw up. His eyes meet mine as he turns and immediately I drop my gaze, my shoulders falling, as I too play his game of deceit.
When he walks off, my glare returns to the back of Ruel’s silky looking hair. He does have beautiful hair but that's off topic.
I have no business noticing how the shorter strands around his neck sleep so perfectly against his skin.
I wonder if he uses any product to get it to look like that.
Even if I do get access to whatever he's using, I wouldn't be able to use it on my hair as it just might wash off the very disguise ensuring my safety here.
Ruel pushes his study door open. Elric follows but doesn't close the door. Assuming I'm expected to walk in also, I step carefully through the door.
“Ruel, your reaction to Cortis was unnecessary.” Elric says immediately the door closes.
“What are you implying,” Ruel frowns.
“That you handled her poorly,” Elric replies without a shift in his tone. “She confronted a threat but you treated her like a nuisance.”
Ruel folds his arms. “She spoke out of order and you know that.”
“Order does not excuse arrogance,” Elric says. “She gave you truth. You dismissed it. Why follow order when that prick is obviously poisoning people's minds against you.”
Ruel drops the folder in his hand. “You think I silenced the wrong person.”
“I know you did,” Elric says. “Scarface is guilty but you keep entertaining him.”
Ruel studies him for a while and I find myself wondering how Elric manages to still hold eye contact with him when from this distance, I can feel the scorching heat in his gaze.
“Sometimes leadership requires restraint. Letting someone speak freely can escalate matters unnecessarily.”
Elric shakes his head. “And sometimes shutting the right person down costs you more...”
Ruel exhales, “You still don't understand.”
A hard knock snaps through the room.
Ruel turns toward the door. “Enter.”
Gently, it swings open.
Cortis glances at me briefly before stepping in.
Her eyes look hurt, her jaw fixed as she salutes.
“Commander. The information you requested is confirmed. The movement is real. They were sighted west of the ridge.”
“Damn it.” Elric mutters under his breath.