Still, it was too late. He was already in the Sixth Pulse's radar, and he had Octavia's presence as a reminder of that.
Valentine slumped.
"What now?"
Malakai took a moment before he answered. "I still think the answer to this mystery lies with this family. We need to find out all we can during dinner."
…
After that, Octavia and Renlo returned from their walk around the garden.
Malakai pitied his friend the moment he saw him. Renlo looked deflated, as though he'd been through hell and back.
"Are you okay?"
Renlo barely nodded, glancing toward Octavia. He looked as though he was being held at gunpoint.
"Malakai! What is this I'm hearing about some dinner? Why are we having dinner with this creepy man and his family?" Octavia said the moment she stepped in.
"It's late, and we need somewhere to sleep."
"So you decided to forget the thousands of hotels in the entire city?"
