That was all so ominous, with Enzo’s hand immediately guiding him by the shoulder. Tiberius let himself be steered to the desk, though he’d have rather taken his time. His first time here in six years, he wanted a look around. This familiar locus of Enzo’s life was bound to be different now, in any number of ways.
I honestly shouldn’t be telling you now …
“Then don’t.” Tiberius unbuttoned his coat and sat down, frowning slightly. On the whole, he was not the sort of person to easily abide ignorance – but if it kept them both safe? Then it would be worth the annoyance. Unfortunately, Enzo kept talking. He listened, head canted slightly to the side. Gripping the arm of the chair to keep his hands still.
It made a murky sort of sense. Why Pavus appeared to be content doing little more than keeping a full social calendar, when that life had never seemed to entirely suit before. Dorian’s actions against the Imperium’s status quo had harmed the House’s position – but they had always been friends with Malachai.
And Mal, it had seemed, was not above helping his friends. Or else that midnight raid would have left Tiberius himself much worse off indeed. It was not so strange to think he might have given Pavus a break.
And yet. Mal’s strength over the Eyes was not entirely absolute. Not if a rogue agent could harass a family as old as Umbra without his foreknowledge. On the other hand, maybe Valentius had been lying through his teeth that night.
“Is that safe for you? Telling them nothing, I mean.” He turned his hand palm up, letting Enzo take it. What could the Eyes possibly want to know that they could not have already gathered themselves?
“Whatever they want, you should give it to them.” Surely withholding information or outright lying to the Secret Police would be counted right along with the worst of their imagined sins. Treason. Sedition. Deadly crimes that were always bandied around so often when the Archon needed to flex his strength.
I honestly shouldn’t be telling you now …
“Then don’t.” Tiberius unbuttoned his coat and sat down, frowning slightly. On the whole, he was not the sort of person to easily abide ignorance – but if it kept them both safe? Then it would be worth the annoyance. Unfortunately, Enzo kept talking. He listened, head canted slightly to the side. Gripping the arm of the chair to keep his hands still.
It made a murky sort of sense. Why Pavus appeared to be content doing little more than keeping a full social calendar, when that life had never seemed to entirely suit before. Dorian’s actions against the Imperium’s status quo had harmed the House’s position – but they had always been friends with Malachai.
And Mal, it had seemed, was not above helping his friends. Or else that midnight raid would have left Tiberius himself much worse off indeed. It was not so strange to think he might have given Pavus a break.
And yet. Mal’s strength over the Eyes was not entirely absolute. Not if a rogue agent could harass a family as old as Umbra without his foreknowledge. On the other hand, maybe Valentius had been lying through his teeth that night.
“Is that safe for you? Telling them nothing, I mean.” He turned his hand palm up, letting Enzo take it. What could the Eyes possibly want to know that they could not have already gathered themselves?
“Whatever they want, you should give it to them.” Surely withholding information or outright lying to the Secret Police would be counted right along with the worst of their imagined sins. Treason. Sedition. Deadly crimes that were always bandied around so often when the Archon needed to flex his strength.
07-11-2024, 05:01 PM
