Snippet for #SFFSat from WIP, Book 2 in the Grand Master's Trilogy

Welcome to another Saturday of Science Fiction & Fantasy snippets exchanged by writers. http://scififansat.blogspot.com/ My contribution this week comes from my WIP, Grand Master's Game, Book 2 in the Grand Master’s Trilogy. 
Excerpt
Athanor strode into the room and looked around with a proprietary air, as if he was examining one of his establishments. When she entered, Violet noticed a regular series of slow clicks emerging from a metal box on the desk. Phineas stood up politely, and Violet hid her amusement at the contrast between the two men. Even disguised and shielded, Athanor exuded an air of authority tinged with menace, while the professor was a bright-eyed academic, brimming with curiosity. Tessa stepped into the office and cried in her nervous high-pitched voice, “Oh, Phineas, I didn’t realize you had visitors.” Her beautiful face brightened on recognizing her friend, Violet, and Tessa ran to hug her. Athanor frowned at the interruption and the door slammed shut, leaving an unnatural silence. Tessa stared intently at his saturnine face, which radiated confident pride despite his disguise. Her eyes widened in shocked insight and she yelped, “Violet, he’s your Grand Master!” They all stared at Athanor. His figure appeared to grow taller and darker. The room filled with psi pressure and blue rays flared from his unveiled eyes. Simultaneously, the clicks from the box sped up until their volume reached a shattering crescendo. Athanor’s gaze flicked to the box and the clicks halted abruptly. Tessa gasped and clutched at her chest.
Book 1 in the trilogy, Grand Master’s Pawn, is available: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1N5PM
Please return to SFFSat and read the other snippets. Your comments are welcome.