Chapter 20: The Walls Come Tumbling Down, Part II
NICHOLAS
I have always admired Mahan, which is why I not only heard, but heeded his advice, no matter how hard it was to sit silent, unexpressive, unfeeling, and unable to allow my feelings, my judgments, and my own conscience respond while Roman and Kristoff’s identical statements were echoed into the room.
At least, at first it was, my jaw instinctively tightening when Roman entered the room and put his hand on Zayden, no matter how light the touch was, simply to assert his arrogance of authority. I was incensed, especially due to the fact I believe him to be our true perpetrator. I felt Mahan’s gaze on me for the slightest glance, before I felt his soothing hand beneath the table upon my leg for the same split second, calmly
