Ask the Oracle by JJ Black Page B

you two ever stop? We’ve got a job to do, in case you
    forgot.”
    “You’re just jealous,” Gray snarked with a toss of his head.
    “You’re probably right, but it doesn’t change the fact that we were hired to do a job and
    we need to get it done. Now, if you’ll hurry up maybe we can get this done quickly so I don’t
    miss my shows.”
    www.totallybound.com
    JJ Black
    67

    Gray rolled his eyes. Heaven forbid Maddox miss a rerun of one of the numerous crime
    shows he religiously watched. “We’d probably get done a lot quicker if you were heading the
    right direction, don’t you think?” Gray asked smugly.
    Jerking to a stop, Maddox glared at Gray over his shoulder. “You know, sometimes I
    think I could kill you, hide the body and no one would be the wiser.” His voice was a
    grouchy, low rumble.
    Gray laughed. “You know that’s not true. Your parents would notice that I was missing
    in less time than it would take them to realise that you were missing. They love me best.”
    Maddox scowled. “You’re probably right.”
    “There’s no probably about it. I’m loveable, they can’t help themselves.” Gray squinted
    at his friend. “Maybe if you tried not being such a prick all the time, they would like you
    more.”
    “Yeah?” Maddox snarled. “Or maybe I just get rid of your obnoxious ass and they
    would quit trying to make me be more like you, yeah?”
    Laughing, Gray turned away and continued down the hall leaving Maddox and the rest
    of his team to fan out around him in defensive positions. He doubted the president had
    better security than he did. Thinking about it, though, it did kind of make sense. You could
    always elect another president. Oracles, on the other hand, were basically an endangered
    species. As they neared the dead king’s chambers, an unsettling sense of foreboding fell over
    him. What had previously seemed like a mundane task, now took on an aura of menace.
    “Something’s different.”
    Dreo jerked to a stop, his eyes immediately going to Gray’s face. “What do you mean?”
    “I don’t know,” Gray murmured hesitantly. “It just feels…different. Like something’s
    changed. I don’t know how to explain it any better than that.”
    Dreo watched him, his jaw clenched and his expression serious. After a moment, he
    straightened to his full height, determination replacing his previous concern. “It changes
    nothing. We still have to get to the bottom of this and chose a new Lord of the Underworld.
    Everyone will just have to be more vigilant. Hopefully, if we remain on guard, we will be
    able to head off any danger.”
    With that said, Dreo continued towards the royal chamber, his shoulders back, his
    stance as regal as any king. Surrounded by his guards, he was a fearsome sight to behold.
    www.totallybound.com
    ASK THE ORACLE
    68
    Gray hoped that they were strong enough to face whatever evil was dogging their steps.
    Following after Dreo, the sensation of unease grew stronger. As they approached the door,
    Gray hoped he was just experiencing a bad case of nerves and not a prediction of things to
    come.

    www.totallybound.com
    JJ Black
    69

Chapter Eight

    When they reached the king’s chamber, the team spread out, scanning the area for
    danger. Maddox and Dreo went over and spoke with the same two guards, who were
    stationed at the door. A few hushed words were spoken before the men came back.
    “Colton said that no one has been by here since we left, let alone gone into the room.”
    Dreo’s tone was cool, yet soothing.
    “I don’t care what he says,” Gray answered dismissively. “There is something different.
    Whether it was caused by a person, a thing or a phase of the moon, I don’t know. All I do
    know is that something is different from when we were here last time. Darker. More
    threatening.”
    Dreo watched Gray before sparing a glance over at Maddox, who merely shrugged.
    Gray fought a smile. His friend knew better than to dismiss one of