"Why are you here?" Florian opened the door.
He didn't look flustered. His expression lacked the usual malice that twisted his features whenever Ol'gaz took control. That alone told Roderick that the demon was dormant, and for once, it was Florian himself standing before him. But the boy didn't look happy.
Not that Roderick expected him to.
Who would be, after being abandoned and locked in a waiting room—again? It wasn't just once or twice. Every time Florian was included in a meeting, he lashed out, and every time, Roderick sent him away like an afterthought.
Roderick understood where the anger came from, and he couldn't really defend himself.
"Your sister is alive." The words left his mouth before Florian could explode. A preemptive strike. He knew this was what the boy wanted—what fueled his erratic behavior in every meeting.
Florian's jaw tightened. Relief flickered across his face, but he didn't relax. Not yet. He needed more. Needed to be sure Riona wasn't in danger.
