Page 43 of Problematic

Why all of a sudden was he coming here every day? This had to be connected. It felt too pointed not to be.

I pressed my back to the wall, trying to keep my breathing quiet. The bell over the door chimed.

Footsteps. The low murmur of Kalon’s voice greeting him. Then heavier footsteps closer. Kalon’s boots.

He rounded the corner to the back, brows pulled together. “Hey,” he said. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

I met his eyes. He was so tall and solid, all that power humming under his skin, and I just broke.

“I . . . I think I have a stalker,” I said. The words came out thin. “And he broke into my house last night.”

Kalon’s whole face changed. The warmth dropped out of it. His eyes went flat and cold in a way I had never seen before.

“Are you serious?” he asked.

I nodded, throat tight. “He may or may not be connected to the guy in the lobby, but I’m not actually sure.”

He leaned in a little. “Okay,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this one for you.”

My chest squeezed. “Kalon, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he said, leaving no room to argue, and turned away.

He walked back out front like he owned the place. I crept up to the edge of the doorway and peeked around it.

Vale stood at the counter, posture relaxed, hands visible, trying to look as unthreatening as a Lux Tower lieutenant could. His eyes flicked around the shop, taking in exits, corners, faces. Calculating.

“Morning,” Kalon said easily. “What can I get you?”

“Triple espresso,” Vale replied. “To go.”

Kalon dried his hands slowly on a towel. “Where’s the regular barista? Liv, I think?” Vale’s tone was light. Too light. Fishing.

Kalon smiled, all teeth. “Busy in the back,” he said.

Vale nodded once. “I see.”

The hair on my arms stood up. A Deathdrinker and Lux’s right hand were standing ten feet from each other in New Abaddon City Coffee like this was normal.

Kalon pulled the shots, movements smooth, eyes never quite leaving Vale. Vale watched him right back, as if filing him away for later.

They knew exactly what the other was.

Then Vale asked for another coffee.

“For here,” he added.

Shit.

Of course he wasn’t just going to grab Lux’s drink and leave. No, he had to loiter. Watch. Listen.

Kalon’s jaw flexed once. “You got it,” he said, voice mild.

I stayed glued to the doorway like an idiot, trying to slow my breathing. It wasn’t working.

A bell dinged as the door opened again. More footsteps. More noise. Life went on even when my nervous system was having a meltdown.

I risked another glance.