Blessed by Night

Chapter 353 The Art of Diplomacy

353  The Art of Diplomacy

After several minutes more of stewing in the bath, Malachi and Anna arose from the water with their bodies producing enough steam to power a train.

The duo didn't exactly bring spare clothes on this trip, so Malachi had to craft them clothes from his powers.

"Alright, babe, make me look presidential." Anna dropped her towel and held out her arms.

"Whatever you say." Mal chuckled.

Shadows briefly swallowed up Anna's figure.

A few seconds later, she was standing in a dark pantsuit like her mother tended to wear.

She was not amused.

"Don't make me hurt you." She threatened.

Stifling a laugh and discreetly taking a picture to show Bianca, Malachi embraced her in darkness once again.

When she was visible again, she revealed herself to be in a beautiful black dress that stopped just a little above her knees.

A pair of matching heels adorned her feet, and an assortment of jewelry covered her wrists and fingers.

Truthfully, Anna wasn't overly fond of the heels, but other than that, she was pretty sold on it.

"How do I look?" She twirled.

In response, Malachi pretended to faint. Making Anna laugh as she stuck her chest out with pride.

Maybe the heels weren't bad of a choice after all.

Malachi got dressed shortly afterward, and the two of them made their way out into the hallway arm in arm. Neither of them were really surprised to find a pair of trembling guards standing outside their room and waiting for them.

"W-We're supposed to show you to-" He stammered.

"We get it. Lead the way." Malachi gestured. The soldiers seemed every bit as nervous about having to turn their backs to Malachi as they did having to face him.

The sound of their anxious heartbeats rattled in Malachi's ears long after they turned their back to him. He just told himself that it was a minor occupational hazard of appearing from the mouth of a giant serpent. The soldiers led he and Anna to a lavish dining room that felt a tiny bit overindulgent.

Rows of servants were lined on either side of a long table that was already decorated with pristine silverware and china. Awena was already sitting at the table and seemingly waiting for them. Though she didn't get up when they arrived. "I hope you find this more acceptable?" She asked, but her tone indicated that this was the furthest she was willing to go to accommodate them.

Anna noticed that over half of the men dressed as servants had holsters strapped to their lower backs.

The illusion that they were there to do no harm didn't fool either of them.

Nevertheless, Malachi and Anna sat down opposite the stern looking woman. "It is... a pleasure to meet you both. Let me introduce myself once again, I am Awena Branham, the United States Secretary of Defense."

Anna felt a little pinprick in the back other mind and a memory bubbled to the surface.

"...By chance, do you know someone named Joanne Grey?"

Awena seemed just the slightest bit less hostile at the mention of Joanne. "... I do. We went through basic together and maintained a line of communication even after we began our respective careers."

"And do you know what happened to her..?" Anna absentmindedly poked a dish on her plate that looked like an underfed chicken. Awena furrowed her brow as if she were growing upset by the subject matter.

"...I tried to get your mother released, I really did.. But I can't just snap my fingers and cut through mountains of red tape."

Malachi wasn't surprised that Awena knew Joanne and Anna were related. Just one look at them would show an undeniable resemblance. Plus, they also tended to act alike from time to time. Though they would never admit it.

"Do you know what it was like for her in there?" Anna was so calm that you'd think she was talking about a visit to school, not an extended stay in a glorified concentration camp.

The secretary nodded and a faint smile spread to her lips. "Never thought thatch would actually settle down with anyone. I feel for the man who actually decided to tie the knot with her."

"I assure you that I'm perfectly fine." Malachi's slightly hostile tone added another layer of edge to the dinner. What's more, Awena was now staring at him like he'd grown a second head. She kept looking back and forth between him and Anna until it seemed like her neck was going to catch on fire. "But you.. I thought.."

"We are." Anna shrugged.

Awena looked like she was going to be sick.

"It's not like that." Anna interjected. "I'm never really around when those two start being all lovey dovey."

Joanne worked really hard to make sure that Anna was at least two rooms away and would be occupied for at least thirty minutes before she started indulging herself in Malachi.

Usually, she sent one of the others to 'entertain' her in some way while they were alone.

But Awena still seemed largely horrified by everything she'd learned. It was clear her opinion of Malachi had done a sizable nosedive.

Which was fine, because he pretty much felt the same about her after hearing how she left Joanne.

Now, the two were on even footing. And delegations could officially begin.

went by my momma house after work, saw they was working in the yard and just drove right by. AnathaShesha