Chương 43: 043

Dominicus jerked as if struck by lightning. The vacancy drained from his eyes as he spun toward me, lips peeling back into a snarl that bared small, needle-sharp fangs. His hand slid instinctively to the sword at his hip. I lifted both palms and took a measured step back, giving him space before things turned ugly.

"Easy," I said.

"I was just trying to snap you out of the king's thrall." He stared through me, not at me, his gaze heavy, unfocused, like a weight pressing against my chest rather than a line of sight. The snarl faded, though a frown still twisted his mouth.

"Why didn't you try something else?" he demanded.

"Do you have any idea how sensitive those are?" Dura snorted, shaking her head with an amused smile. Her eyes, however, never left the sword still half-drawn in Dominicus's grip.

"Didn't expect that method," she said.

"Especially from a beastkin yourself. But hey, it worked." Yeah. Clearly, I still had a lot to learn. Facing Dominicus again, I scratched the back of my neck.

"I did try other things first. Nothing stuck. I figured a light tug on your ear beat a full-force slap to the face." Judging by his expression, maybe the slap would've gone over better. He grimaced and rubbed his ear with his free hand.

"It didn't. And you should've known better, considering you've got a pair of your own." He gestured vaguely toward my head, deepening my confusion.

"Okay," I said slowly, "I'm going to throw away all sense of politeness here, but are you blind or not? Because you're staring through me, but you know exactly where my ears are. That's…wildly confusing." Dura choked on a laugh. Dominicus, instead of bristling like I half-expected, snorted and shook his head. Some of the irritation bled away, replaced by reluctant amusement.

"You aren't the first to ask," he said.

"Though you're certainly the most…direct." I shrugged.

"Sorry. I'm not great with words. Doubt that'll ever change." This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"I don't know," Dura murmured, a knowing curve to her lips.

"You seemed pretty good earlier." Heat crept up my neck. Mercifully, Dominicus ignored it and waved the apology aside.

"To be honest," he continued, "it's refreshing. Most people stop treating me like a functioning adult once they learn about" he gestured vaguely at his eyes, "this." He paused, then added, "As for your question: no. I can't see you. Not the way others do." One ear flicked, sharp and deliberate.

"Bats possess innate echolocation," he said.

"A trait my patron deemed…useful." Time hummed in the back of my mind. Ask who his patron is. Depending on the answer, he may be a stronger ally than anticipated. Relaying the question, I watched Dominicus carefully. His head tilted, suspicion sliding back into place.

"Why do you want to know?" The wariness in his tone caught me off guard.

"Because Karma sent me here to help people. Depending on what your patron tasked you with, we might be able to work together." Time grumbled. We just agreed to be careful with trusting people and you are casually announcing your association with Karma. I rolled my eyes inwardly. Anyone paying attention will figure out I don't belong here. And it's not like I mentioned you or the apocalypse. Silence. Which, for Time, was as close to approval as I was going to get.

When I turned back, Dominicus's tension had eased, settling into something closer to cautious acceptance. After a long moment of that sightless stare, he answered.

"Fate sent me. She sensed something approaching, but whenever she tries to discern what, all she encounters is static." His mouth tightened.

"Whatever it is, she believes it warrants investigation. So…here I am." Time hummed again, intrigued. Curious. I wonder why she did not inform me… I ignored him, focusing instead as Dominicus inclined his head toward Silas.

"It didn't take long to find that slime," he said.

"Or the trail of damage he left across Nexus." A scowl crossed his face.

"However I underestimated him and paid for it." A grudging smile followed, flashing a single fang.

"Well done, seeing through his lies." I barely suppressed a laugh. He had no idea how spectacularly wrong he was, but for now, ignorance was safer.

"My…patron warned me," I said. After I cussed him out and he reset the world a day.

"So you could say I had outside help." Time huffed. I am not your patron. That is Karma. I rarely take Chosens, and you will not be one, regardless of my wife's adoption plans. Something sharp pinched in my chest. I crushed it down and snapped back mentally. It's your power in my veins and your voice in my head. Until you give me a better word, you're 'patron.' Live with it. Trust me, I'd prefer Karma. Fiery, charismatic, and protective… versus aloof and argumentative. Not a difficult choice. He didn't respond.

I took that as the end of it and turned my attention back to Dominicus. There would be plenty of time to bitch at one another later. Right now, we had real problems to deal with.