Chapter 84

Avara POV

Botan hesitates for a fraction of a second before gesturing sharply. The guards step aside, exposing me to Haru's piercing gaze. He examines me with a detached intensity that makes my skin crawl, completely unreadable, neither critical or caring.

Finally, he speaks, his words final as his eyes slice back to Botan. "We must speak. Alone."

Botan nods obediently then glances at Akio. "Stay with her." 

Akio groans like a teenager forced to babysit. Haru snaps a command and all the men dissipate, drawing away to distant corners as Akio wanders over to glare back at me jadedly.

I meet his glare with a faint smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat," he admits grudgingly.

I lead him to the kitchen. I guide Akio to the counter, where Martha hovers momentarily, her expression a mixture of duty and concern. She offers to take over, but I raise a kind hand, a soft smile accompanying my refusal.