I roll my eyes at him and frown. “I didn’t say they were real, but it feels like something happened to me.”
“What do the monsters do?”
My heart quickens again. “Kill me.”
“Have you ever told your father about this nightmare of yours?”
“Yes, millions of times but he just thinks it’s a regular nightmare.”
He inclines his head. “Look, maybe it is just a regular nightmare. I also don’t think you would have seen that crest anywhere in the circles you travel in. Maybe you’re connecting it to something similar but not the same.”
“What do you mean, the circlesItravel in? They’re the same circles you travel in. Maybe my parents knew the Butyrskayas. They all worked for the Knights.”
“Maybe so, but I can’t imagine Pavel Butyrskaya being associated with the likes of your father.”
Of course not. How dare I forget my father is the scum of the earth in Desmier Volkova’s eyes?
“What if he was associated with him?” Maybe now’s a good time to ask again if I can talk to Dad. “Would you allow me to call my father and ask him about it.”
“No.”
“But—”
“No.” His voice is harsher and just as hard as the cold expression tainting the beauty in his face.
From the shift in his demeanor, I realize I probably shouldn’t have talked about Dad so much, or at all. Not if I hoped to save myself from whatever punishment Desmier has in store for me.
At the same time I’m not going to allow him to make me think I’m mistaken about the crest.
“Regardless of the circles I’m in, I know I’ve seen that crest somewhere.”
“Fine, believe what you want.”
I will, because I’m right. “Does this particular crest have a meaning?”
“Maybe.” His expression deepens but I know his lame answer is his way of shutting me down.
“Maybe?” I arch my brows. “That sounds like you know something and you’re refusing to tell me.”
“Valkyrie, I think you need to remember who you’re talking to. Also, none of that explains why you wanted to break into my office.”
“I told you I didn’t know this was your office.”
“What did you think it was?”
“A storage room. Ehlga said you kept some of the Butyrskayas’ things.” I don’t think Ehlga would mind me telling him that. I doubt she’d say anything I couldn’t repeat to him. “I was hoping to find a photo album, or something like that with a picture of somewhere that might have the crest on it. Or maybe jog my memory by looking at their things.”
He considers me for a moment as if weighing his words, then pulls in a slow breath. “There were no photo albums or anything like that when I got the place. Knowing them they would have kept everything of sentimental value close to them. I wouldn’t know where those ended up. I also doubt seeing their things would help you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re looking at some of their stuff now and it doesn’t seem to be doing much for you. This office belonged to Pavel Butyrskaya. It’s pretty much in the state he left it.”
On hearing that, I glance around the room, suddenly understanding why the office is more suited to an older gentleman who most likely loved exploring.
I can’t hide my disappointment when I see there’s nothing in here that does anything for me.
“Am I right?” he prods.