Chapter 82: [82] Two Taps Too Many
Xavier approached the administration building with some trepidation. The summons to the Director’s office couldn’t be good news, especially on a Friday afternoon. As he pushed through the heavy glass doors, he stepped into a massive atrium that made him pause.
"Damn," he muttered, turning slowly to take in the space.
The ceiling soared at least forty feet above him, supported by columns that looked like crystallized trees, their branches spreading across the ceiling in geometric patterns. Light filtered through crystal panels, casting prismatic patterns across marble floors so polished they reflected everything like still water. A spiral staircase wound upward, seemingly unsupported by any visible structure, each step illuminated from within.
Xavier whistled under his breath. "Someone has a master’s in interior design."
He was so absorbed in the architecture that he didn’t notice the person coming around the corner until they collided. Xavier stumbled back a step.
"My bad," he said automatically, then froze.
Standing before him was Dominic Black. This close, he was even more imposing than in the auditorium—six-foot-four of lean muscle, black hair styled in that deliberately messy way that took an hour to perfect. His red eyes seemed to glow slightly in the diffused light of the atrium.
"No problem," Dominic said. He studied Xavier for a moment, recognition dawning on his face. "Wait. You’re that guy from that video with Thalia."
"That would be me."