Valen POV
After settling behind a desk in a room on the upper level, Crius folded his hands in front of him. "Take a seat."
"I'd rather stand, thanks." Valen heard his tone cool.
Crius stood, placing his hands on the desk and leaning on them. "Did I ask you to sit or did I tell you to sit?"
"I heard a question. Especially because you are no longer sitting, so why should I be the odd one out?" Valen retorted.
Crius studied him with his eyes narrowed, but thankfully he sat back down. "Why are you here?"
"I have reason to beleive people are being held unfairly within these walls."
Crius snorted. "Who told you that?"
"It's obvious."
Valen saw his gaze darken, and knew he hit a nerve.
"Everyone is talking about how you're manipulating Khaleesi and restricting the rest of the spirit wanderers." Valen continued.
Crius sighed, and Valen could almost hear the monologue coming out of his mouth.
"You don't understand, since you aren't a spirit-wanderer, but I am under so much pressure..."
Never mind. He could hear the monologue.
"....to keep our kind in line. I can't just have everyone running about, scaring people, commiting crimes, can I?" Crius looked to Valen like he wanted him to back him up. Valen didn't move. "What did Khaleesi do?"
Again, Cruise frowned. "She is growing older as we speak. She is no longer able to control spirits."
Valen took a deep breath, being sure the old man didn't notice. He felt for the knife in his pocket and put some force behind his words. "Couldn't you ask her that?"
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Aisling pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. Her attic room was directly above the office Crius had taken Valen to, yet she could only watch and pray that they wouldn't hurt each other.
Kind of like spirit-wandering, actually.
Aisling huffed a frustrated sigh. Now the two men were only getting more angry with each other.
She decided to take her chance.
Since Crius was distracted, she could try for breaking Khaleesi out of the next room.
Aisling crept down the hallway, pausing every so often to make sure she could still feel Valen talking with Crius.
When she finally reached the door leading to Khaleesi's room, she paused and took a deep breath, then snuck a file out from her pocket and wedged it into the first lock.
Four locks. You can do this.
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"Wait, you did what to her?!" Valen heard his voice rise.
Crius raised an eyebrow, and Valen felt the layer of trust he'd earned dissolve. "I couldn't have her interfering with my plans. I did the natural thing. She has lived a long, happy life."
Valen felt like he would explode. He took a deep breath. "So you lock her in the attic and gradually kill her by breaking her spirit?!?!"
"Like I said, natural." Crius stood. "Now, if you'll kindly-"
"What kind of messed up definition of natural do you have?!" Valen snarled, standing.
Crius glared at him, regarding the slight raise of his shoulders.
Calm down. Stop. You're gonna kill him and that won't be good. What will Aisling say?
Slowly, he caught ahold of his anger.
No
The voice echoed through Valen's head, startling him.
You have what I call righteous anger, the slightly feminine voice chuckled.
Also, do not worry. Aisling almost has me free. She has restored my spirit, my faith in humanity.
Valen resolved to act if Crius lashed out.
The voice thanked him.
Do not worry. I am coming.
