Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL) Chapter 129 - 124: The morning after (2)

"Let him in."

The door opened with a quiet creak, and Maximilian Claymore stepped inside, sharp and polished despite the early hour. He carried himself with the relaxed confidence of soone used to navigating courts and chaos alike. Black hair, tousled just enough to suggest he hadn’t bothered with a mirror, frad a face too handso for his own good. Unsurprised, his bright green eyes found Gabriel after scanning the room.

"You invited to breakfast?" Max asked, arching a brow. "Did soone die?"

"Not yet," Gabriel replied smoothly, earning a low chuckle from Edward.

Damian gestured toward the empty chair across from Gabriel. "Join us."

Max paused for a second. He moved casually toward the table, dropping his coat on the back of the chair before sitting. "Well. That’s either a good sign or a very bad one."

"It’s a good one," Damian said simply.

Gabriel glanced sideways at him. Sothing about the shift was unmistakable. Damian could et Max in another room, but he chose to include Gabriel, which solidified his promise to tell him everything. Gabriel was not sure whether it was a good or bad thing, but he was grateful.

Max took a long sip of his coffee before giving Damian a mildly accusing look. "I ca because I thought we had that eting on the Blue Ether Project this afternoon."

"We did," Damian said, nonchalantly buttering a piece of bread.

Max narrowed his eyes. "And now we don’t."

Edward, ever poised, spoke up from his place by the sideboard. "That eting has been moved to tomorrow afternoon. Lord Astana made the official adjustnt this morning."

Max blinked. "Why?"

Gabriel looked over his cup. "Because soone cleared the Emperor’s schedule." He could easily guess that the butler was involved, but he did not know if Damian’s rut would subside overnight.

Edward inclined his head. "I did."

Max stared at the butler. "Without telling ?"

"You weren’t the priority this morning," Edward replied evenly. "His Majesty needed the ti. So did His Grace."

Max glanced between them, realization dawning. "Ah. So this was the priority."

Gabriel tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Starting to feel like I walked into a very elaborate trap."

Damian, now completely relaxed, leaned back in his chair while watching his mate with unmistakable smugness. "I told you it would work."

Max’s expression had changed, still casual but now laced with sothing heavier, as he leaned back with his second pastry. His green gaze shifted between the two before settling on Damian.

"There is sothing I need to bring up," he said. "Wasn’t planning on doing it over breakfast, but since you cleared my whole day..."

Damian set down his cup, brow lifting. "Go on."

"I’ve had soone quietly watching Uncle George."

That drew Gabriel’s attention instantly. "I didn’t hear anything about him until now."

Max nodded, his expression turning sharper now. "The very man who used to handpick who stood near the imperial court and tried for months to marry us off had stopped his plans without warning."

Gabriel leaned in slightly. "What did you find?"

"Nothing that makes sense," Max said. "He’s been... passive. No etings, no court appearances, no visits to any of the ministries. But he hasn’t gone to his country estate either. He’s been spending most of his ti in the city, but not in his usual properties."

"Callahan is also missing; Anabelle is assisting in finding him, but our efforts have thus far been in vain." Gabriel said this while setting aside his cutlery and allowing Edward to take his plate.

Edward took a brief pause while refilling Gabriel’s cup, indicating that he was also listening.

"Where, then?" Damian asked.

Max hesitated. "Elliot’s city manor."

That silenced the table.

Gabriel blinked. "Elliot?"

Max nodded. "Yes. And it’s not just a one-off visit. He’s been there regularly for weeks. Sotis for days at a ti."

Gabriel stood back, frowning. "That doesn’t make sense. George practically disowned Elliot after the last scandal."

"And nad his heir," Max said.

Damian didn’t speak imdiately.

Instead, he snapped his fingers.

The sound was sharp and clean, and the light in the corner of the room dimd unnaturally.

Gabriel turned, drawing his brows together.

From the far edge of the hall, where the sun’s golden glow refused to reach, the shadows rippled.

A figure stepped out, silent, dark, and clearly not ordinary.

Gabriel instinctively straightened as the man erged, clothed in black from collar to boots. There was sothing fluid about his movents, as if he belonged to mist rather than flesh. His hair was ash-dark and slicked back, and his expression was carved in stone. Gabriel was taken aback by the cold, silver-edged eyes.

Max, without looking up, murmured, "Morning, Gregoris."

Edward didn’t blink. "I ward a cup for him, but I doubt he’ll accept it."

Gregoris ignored both of them. His attention was fixed on Damian, whom he regarded with narrowed eyes and a familiar irritation.

"You called like a hunting dog, Your Majesty."

Damian didn’t rise. "You took your ti."

"I was on the northern ridge," Gregoris replied coolly. "Training recruits. You do rember I have responsibilities?"

Gabriel watched the exchange, trying to place the man. He didn’t wear military insignia. No crest. No formal title. Just shadow.

Damian glanced sideways at Gabriel. "Gregoris is part of my private guard. The Shadows." ƒreewebηoveℓ

Gregoris crossed his arms. "We were your army long before your crown, Damian. I don’t answer to the empire."

"But you do answer to ," Damian replied smoothly.

Gabriel blinked. "You have your own army?"

"Loyalists," Max said. "n and won with rare abilities. They followed Damian when he had nothing to offer but vision and fury. Before the empire."

"And before the rebellion," Edward added.

Gregoris didn’t argue.

Gabriel looked back at him. "So... you’re not just a shadow. You’re one of the originals."

"I am," Gregoris said. "Which is why I’ll ask you politely not to summon during your breakfast conversations."

"Gregoris Fraser, et Gabriel von Jaunez, my mate." Said Damian, ignoring his man’s retort.