Arik was descending from one of the second-story conference rooms when his comm vibrated with a message from Mezos.
'I have the cat.'
Arik stopped on the stairs.
He stared at the message for one full second, then scoffed.
Beside him, Noah glanced over with the exhausted curiosity of a man who had already spent the morning watching succession law, treaty language, and three separate assassination possibilities pass across the same table.
"What?"
Arik turned the comm slightly, just enough for Noah to read the message.
Noah sighed. "Well, Liam is a cat personified."
Arik pinned him with his gaze.
Noah only shrugged with the audacity of a cousin who had known him long enough to develop poor survival instincts. "It is true."
"I am feeding you to Marin."
Noah's expression shifted. Not fear, exactly. More like respect for a threat with a historical basis. "That is excessive."
"You called my mate a cat."
"Mezos called him a cat first."
"Mezos is useful."
"I am also useful."
