I get to Veric before anyone in that hall can decide his arrival doesn't count as living proof.
I throw an arm across his shoulders and pull him in, like we've been inseparable since childhood.
"Veric! Good thing you made it. You okay? Have you eaten?"
He goes still for a second.
Rhayne's eyes widen slightly. Zhang Xi notices too. Both of them have spent enough time around us to know Veric and I are friends, but not that kind of friends.
Veric lets out a long, tired sigh.
"How many times would you have died already if I hadn't shown up in time?"
"A few."
He pushes me off with a hand on my shoulder and turns his attention back to the room.
His posture changes in the same instant.
The irritated man who ran here from the station is gone. Garen Azurea's son takes his place. He grew up knowing an entire room would notice the moment he decided to be serious, and it shows.
Veric looks at the big man first.
"Is there a problem with granting the request of—"
