The Queen of Flame and Shadow

Time for a Chat

Aelin 

She really meant what she said when she called Azriel beautiful. It was not just the elegant planes of his face, or the shape of his powerful and honed body. It was the scars on his hands that marked his as a survivor, and the shadows that flitted across him like lovers. But it was what she saw glimmer in his eyes that made her blink. They were so hard and closed off, yet if looked upon at a certain angle, one could see the genuineness in his countenance. He was someone that feels everything too acutely, but says they feel nothing. Says that they are nothing, yet wish to be something more, or mean something to someone. It was like looking in a mirror when she met his eyes. 

Even though her cold mask did not slip with such thoughts, she still made sure that is was impenetrable. Turning her eyes back to Rhysand, she made sure her tone was nothing by mocking. 

"So what would the people from the bad guys convention want from little old me?"

A muscle in his jaw tightened. "A little more respect would be a nice start."

"Oh so sorry Your Lordship, how could I even conceive not to kiss and grovel at your feet! Please, I beg of you, forgive me!" She always enjoyed acting as if she were in a play. Now was not any different. 

"Fine," She knew she won from the resignation in his voice. "We would like to know how you got here, and what your intentions are." 

"Well I guess that depends if we can have a normal conversation or not."

"Oh, and what is a 'normal' conversation to you? Is that not what we are doing right now?" The confusion that spread across his features made her laugh. It was a travesty that people did not have a mind like hers. 

"I would love to tell you what I know, but this kinky get up with the chains puts me in a rather...," she was trying to think of the right word, "precarious position. Even though they might be more fun in another situation, or with shadowboy over there, I would rather like them to be taken off." The blush on Azriel's cheeks was well worth it. 

Cassian and Mor looked amused, and Rhysand's eyes turned feral. 

"I am afraid that I left the keys at home you see. Because the thing is, you will not be let out until you tell us what we want to know, and then, only then, will the chains come off."

"Drats. No matter then." As she had done in the previous hours, she dislocated her thumbs and left shoulder, slipping out of the chains with ease. She made sure to look Rhysand in the eyes when she slammed them into the wall to pop them into place. The smile that she had on during this action made her look psychotic. "Let me just make it very clear to you people, you are not in charge here. So I would suggest you all remember your manners so that we will not have any future problems."

They all stared at her opened mouthed and in shock. "Might want to close those lips dearies, might catch some flies in there." 

They all tried to recover after that, but it seemed that Cassian wanted to get a crack at her. "And what kind of problem would we have with a human like you. Isn't weakness your only trait?" 

So, he was definitely not the brightest of the bunch. "Ah, idiocy at it's finest." 

Rhys, however, did not look amused any more. "I tried to be nice, but you are leaving me with few options. Celaena, are you familiar with Truth Teller?" 

"The fuck is 'Truth Teller'? Some magic ball or something?" 

"But not at all. See, Azriel here has a special set of skills. He knows how to make people talk, and Truth Teller, the lovely dagger at his hip, and as the name implies, can find out the truth. So what about now, will you talk to us, or would you like some time alone with Azriel?"