>Mallory
"What is the meaning of this?"
A deep voice rang out behind us, sharp enough to slice straight through the air.
I stiffened. My heart kicked in my chest like I'd been caught doing something terrible—even though I knew I hadn't done anything wrong. We both slowly turned, and there he was.
Venzrich stood in the doorway, tall enough to make the room feel smaller, his expression shadowed and unreadable. His dark eyes locked onto us like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn't like the shape of. In one hand, he held a small pet carrier dangling from his arm, the metal door clinking softly as it moved.
"Brother, you came," Dr. Chesten said, sounding far calmer than I felt. He stepped forward with a polite smile, but I could see tension in his shoulders.
"I won't ask again," Venzrich repeated, voice even deeper the second time. "What is the meaning of this?"
"O-Oh, this?" I stammered immediately because my tongue had decided to twist itself in knots. "U-uhmmm…"
