Chapter 8 - Rocky

I swagger up the grand hall in the stronghold. My booted legs echo on the wooden ground. Massive windows at the side let in the bluish-gray light of the day. The room is packed with leaders who belonged to Alter’s Council. I pass close to one of them, and he steps aside. When I turn to meet his look, he lowers his head. The stink of tension reinforces the air, and the hair on the nape of my neck rises. They are afraid of me. Good. I sense their look following me, yet not one of them tries to stop me. The losers have come to watch the entertainment for today, provided courtesy of me. A low chuckle rips out of me.

I stride toward the platform at the front of the room.

John moves forward as if to climb onto the dais alongside me.

I raise a hand.

He halts and wrinkles his forehead. “You know the protocol, Rocky.” His sound is cold. “As the interim second to Alter, I am supposed to introduce you to the Council and its associates.”