Page 83 of Problematic

“Of course who has a cat?”

Vale stood in my office doorway.

He had that expression again. The one that suggested he had already seen three possible disasters, chosen the least fatal path through them, and hated me personally for making him do math this late at night.

I shut the file.

“Kalon.”

Vale’s gaze dropped to the folder in my hand.

Then to the gift under my arm.

Then to the mask on my face.

His mouth flattened. “Please tell me that is not his file.”

“It is his file.”

“Lux.”

“He has a cat named Calcifer.”

“And that’s relevant how?”

“She left with him,” I said. “To stay at his house.”

Vale went quiet.

“He’s a Deathdrinker with an inherited house, layered wards, a clean record, good hands, and a cat with abandonment issues.” I tucked the file under my arm. “I dislike the entire composition.”

Vale rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You pulled his file because you’re jealous.”

“I pulled his file because he’s close to my mate.”

“Lux.”

“He protected her,” I said.

Vale’s expression shifted.

“He protected her from me,” I added, and the words tasted worse than expected.

Then Vale sighed. “So what are you doing?”

I picked up the gift.

“Following them.”

“Of course you are.”

“And you’re going to offer Kalon a job,” I said.

Vale blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“If he insists on guarding her, he can do it on my payroll.”

“That isn’t normal.”