“I
swear, Nolyn, it would be easier to kill you than teach
you anything,” Varun declared listlessly, leaning against the balcony’s stone
railing. The day had warmed, but the breeze from the north kept the afternoon
at a perfect temperature. “Do you even care to remember anything I teach you?”
Nolyn smirked, closing his
notebook. “You don’t like my planned scenario?”
“You’ll only plan yourself
into being discovered.”
“Oh, please. Don’t be so
dramatic, Varun.” Nolyn laughed, rising from the small table and crossing the
balcony to Varun’s side. “Tell me, why you won’t allow me—”
“You’re far from ready,”
Varun interrupted. “It’ll be a huge embarrassment for me if I allowed you to
release your ridiculous ideas anywhere near another STAR operative.”
Nolyn chewed his bottom
lip for a moment, studying Varun’s expression, trying desperately to gauge his
level of aggravation. “I’m nearing the dangerous melting point today earlier
than usual,” he decided. “Are you planning my death before noon? That’s unlike
you.”
“I plan your death every
moment I’m in your presence.” Varun sighed heavily. “We both know I wouldn’t
actually take your life, but I already have a letter of recommendation of
termination written, and one day I’ll sign it and send it off, ending your
career indefinitely.”
Nolyn whistled lowly.
“Your mood is worse today. What happened? Has Triste forgotten to polish
something that needs polishing? Maybe you found some dust on a mantle
somewhere. I tell you, a good butler is hell to find these days.”
“Don’t mention my butler.
This is about your lack of commitment. You will not progress any further until
you prove your desire to learn.”
Nolyn shook his head. “I’m
bored, Varun. You have me planning the same scenarios over and over again, and
you expect me to think of a hundred different paths. This is tedious and a
waste of my true potential.”
“If you don’t like my
teaching habits, you can request a new instructor.”
“You know I’d never do
that. You’re the best, even if you are impossible.” Nolyn returned to the table
and opened his notebook once again. “I think it would be in your best interest
to further my instruction, Varun. What if I have to take over sooner than
expected?”
“STAR will never put you
in the field without my blessing.” Varun studied the street below, observing
the neighborhood children playing on the building steps. “You’re better off
doing exactly as I say until I release you.”
Nolyn took a moment to
swallow his anger. “Varun—”
“Do you insist on arguing
further, Nolyn?”
“Of course I do.”
“Very well.” Varun left
the balcony, slid open the glass door, and called for his butler.
“Do I need intervention
from an angel or a servant?” Nolyn questioned.
“You need a lesson in
manners.”
Triste appeared in the
doorway and bowed. “Yes, sir?”
“Help me tie up Nolyn and
hang him over the balcony,” Varun instructed. Nolyn gasped, Triste’s eyes
widened, and a soft smile played across Varun’s lips.
“Sir.” Triste smiled in
return, understanding his master was teasing the young demon. “That’s a bit out
of protocol.”
“Will you be terribly put
out if I demand such an activity, Triste?”
Nolyn scoffed, scooping up
his notebook and pen, and rose to his feet. “Is it safe to say I’m being
dismissed early?”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic.”
Varun repeated Nolyn’s earlier words. “We’ll start fresh tomorrow, won’t we?”
“You’re a tyrant some
days.” Nolyn squeezed passed Varun, nodding a goodbye to Triste. “Be kind to
your butler, Varun.”
“Kind?” Varun whispered,
moving his gaze onto Triste. He lifted his hand to tuck back a lock of silver
hair that had fallen out of place. An angel with silver and white mixed hair
was a rare find.
“The—” Triste ran his
fingers through the fringe across his forehead, repeating the fix Varun had
done. “The human is still asleep, and I’ve placed water in the room for him.”
“Are you concerned?”
“Concerned about a human,
sir? Not entirely.”
Varun studied the angel,
observing the green eyes that were so uncharacteristic for his angel type.
Triste could have been so much more. “When is my meeting with STAR?”
Triste raised an eyebrow
and grinned. “Are you attempting to quiz me, sir? We both know you keep those
appointments in your head because you don’t trust your support staff with such
an important detail in your life.”
Varun chuckled, sliding
his hands into his trouser pockets. “I trust you and my support staff with
everything else. I fear a detail might fall through the cracks, and STAR cannot
afford that to happen.”
“Your appointment is at
three, sir. Amer will have the car ready by two.”
“Excellent.”
“Might I inquire about
what you plan to do with the human?”
Varun turned his back on
Triste and took measured steps to the balcony railing. He watched the playing
children for a moment before answering, “You may not.”
Triste bit his tongue.
Keeping a human was illegal. If anyone was expected to live in a stray-free
household, it was a STAR operative trusted to punish those who broke the law.
“Very well,” Triste said.
He bowed and removed himself from his master’s presence.
I want this wedding issue to sell out. I want it to sell out IN STORES on the day of release. (June 20th) I expect it to sell out just like the issue of Life With Archie featuring Kevin Keller's same-sex wedding. (Before this issue, I didn't even know Archie comics existed anymore. I used to love them. *sad face*) One Million Moms rarely "win" when they raise a fuss over something LGBT-related and I think their fuss is great press. I hope they rage when they watch their hard work fall on deaf ears over and over again.
