Page 81 of First Offense

“Because it’s outside of the dukedom,” Auric explained. “There’s been more disrespect among the servant classes than usual. Your father has been focused on mitigating that problem, which has taken away resources from potential expansion.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t tell me.” He’d been training me to take over the kingdom one day. Why wouldn’t he mention the increasing number of Nora Falling?

“He likely wanted you to focus entirely on your courting season,” Auric replied, his lips thinning.

I cleared my throat, not wanting to revisit that conversation again. We’d already established that my Fall had something to do with the courting. It was the only active activity in my life when my feathers started to turn. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong.

Auric wanted to dissect my choices.

I preferred discussing the blue sky outside—a trait that gave me pause. “Isn’t the sky blue in the human realm?”

I’d never been allowed to visit the world filled with mortals, but I knew of it. They apparently worshipped our kind, thinking we were some sort of gods. My father once told me it was the result of a few angels playing on Earth where they didn’t belong, and the rumors and myths had grown from there.

Auric gave me a look that said I wasn’t off the hook for my subject change, but then he glanced outside and frowned. “It’s possible. But the technology doesn’t marry up with the theory. It’s far too advanced to be human-made.”

“Have you spent much time with humans?” I wondered out loud.

“No. But I’m familiar with their advancements.” He looked at Novak. “They’ve figured out satellite technology.”

The Noir’s eyebrows rose, his surprise evident.

“They even have telecommunication and electronic waves now,” Auric added.

Novak appeared impressed.

“Of course, they’re still primitive when compared to the ways of the dukedom, but humans lack our resources.” Auric pressed his left hand against the wall and leaned in toward the glass for a better view of the landscape below. “I suppose we could be in the human realm. Maybe the portals are here to bring in the technology needed to properly safeguard the prison?”

He gestured to the guards carrying coils of wire and strange equipment into the entry side of the mountain, as if to punctuate his point.

We observed in silence for a long moment before Auric added, “The only aspect holding me back is the air quality. It’s almost too clean to be the human realm.”

I frowned. “Are they usually dirty?”

“Not necessarily, but their cities are notorious for their pollution,” he replied.

“Oh.” My nose scrunched as I considered that. The dukedom valued a clean environment. But we also had advanced technology to help consume waste and redirect natural resources in productive ways.

“I’ve never met a human,” I said, studying the landscape once more. Auric wouldn’t be surprised by my comment. He knew I wasn’t allowed to leave the safety of the dukedom. At least before I Fell, anyway.

“You’re not missing much,” he replied. “They’re irritating as hell.”

“But also interesting,” Novak countered.

Auric grunted.

Novak smirked.

“Meeting them is against the rules,” I said, twisting my lips to the side. “At least according to my father.” He had a whole list of improper activities for me. Visiting the human realm was near the top.

Novak’s wing brushed mine, his alluring gaze holding a wicked note to it as he smiled at me.You can break the rules with me anytime,he seemed to be saying.

I should have moved my wing away from his in response.

But I didn’t.

Because, apparently, I enjoyed tempting fate.

“What other rules did he give you?” Auric asked, his gaze still outside. Either he didn’t notice Novak’s advances or he was too consumed by the problem to care.