He clenched his jaw. His eyes darted around the hall, scanning the faces of the guests each one of them watching him closely, some frightened, others frozen in suspense. His fists tightened at his sides.
So they were all saying the same thing.
Perhaps… perhaps she really wasn't here anymore.
Still, he didn't trust anyone in that room. Not entirely.
With a deep breath, Benedict finally spoke again, his voice rising just slightly, like thunder rumbling in the distance.
"Fine," he said, slowly. "If what you all are saying is the truth… then I'll let this go. For now."
He turned in a slow circle, his eyes scanning everyone once more, his glare cold and sharp like the edge of a blade.
"But let me be very clear…" he said, pausing long enough for everyone to hear the warning in his voice. "If this is a lie… if this is some kind of trick you're all playing just to make me leave…"
He pointed a finger slowly across the room, then swept it across the guests.
