Page 234 of Shadowman

Standing here now, in his home, mere feet from him with a war on the brink of breaking outside these walls, has me recoiling even more than usual in his presence.

I don’t belong here, and he knows that.

The Ivory scans our faces; Trevel and me first, then Dr. Love. His gaze narrows at the doctor, who, by all accounts, is standing his ground. Which is crazy since, from what I can tell, he haszerofucking ground to stand on right now. He’s practically six feet under.

He must know something I don’t. In fact, I’msurethere’s a lot about their relationship I don’t understand. Just like there’s a lot about The Ivory’s relationship with Trevel I don’t understand…

The whole thing is making me feel like evenmoreof an intruder here.

He’s gonna fucking kill me. I’m sure of it.

The Warden shifts, dark eyes settling on Trevel. “I don’t have time to get into what was happening before the tower fell, but let’s just say I’m glad you were thinking on your feet.”

I witness the mound of Trevel’s throat bob before he says, “I told you it was the right move.”

The Warden exhales, rubbing his eyes. I have to note that he looks much more disheveled than usual, his expensive dress shirt all rumpled and unbuttoned at the collar, snow white hair strewn about. It looks like he has blood and soot on his clothes, cuts and scrapes on his visible skin.

Jesus… Was he inside the prison?? When the tower fell??

“And you,” he pins me with his charcoal irises, and I straighten. “You’re here now, hm? Meaning you dodged a bullet… Literally.”

My lips part, but I have no mother-lovingideahow I would ever respond to that statement.

“I’m happy to allow you and Trevel to stay, so long as everyone’s clear on what that means.” He cocks his head. We’re just staring at him until he blinks. “There will be no leaving this side. You know how I feel about loyalty…” His eyes slide to Dr. Love, and he growls, “Es todo.”

The room is deathly quiet. Just the crackling of the fire and the shouting of men off in the distance.

“Yari,” The Ivory says to the young man who came in with him. “Be a lamb and fetch me Johansson, please.”

“Yes, sir.” The guy nods and scurries off.

The Warden moves in closer to Trevel and me, his eyes bouncing between us. “I must say, I’m pleased that you’re here… With Trevel. Withus. They made a mistake leaving you behind, but it’s their loss, honestly. I don’t expect they’ll get far…”

My forehead lines. “What…Who??Who are you… talking about?”

His lips twitch. “Our very own Lex Luthor and his firestarter, Warren Xavier. They managed to slip out amidst all the chaos.” He pauses while I gawk at him. “They’regone, Byron. They left. Stole a goddamn rowboat and set sail… Right into the mouth of a deadly storm.”

He puffs a condescending chuckle, peeking at Kent, who shakes his head.

What the… fuck?

Conflicting emotions are flash flooding my system. I’m relieved, momentarily, at hearing that my friends haven’t been killed. But it’s swallowed up quickly by the reality of the situation.

They…left?

Luthor and Ren are… gone?

Like,gonegone??

I’m having a hard time processing this. It must be clear from my bugging eyes and mouth slack in stunned silence, because the Warden reaches forward, grasping my chin between his fingers. I feel Trevel stiffen at my side.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, my fighter. You’re so much more important here and now than you ever were by their side, tagging along like a permanent third wheel. They never appreciated you. Not like I do. They’ll neverwantyou… Not like he does.” He nods in Trevel’s direction.

My eyes shift to Trevel. The look on his face is serious, violet eyes searching mine for something. It seems like the same thing I’m searching for in his, which is confusing me down to my bones.

What are we? What is this??

The Ivory releases me as the young guy returns, followed closely by an older man with a vaguely familiar face, carrying a black briefcase.