The Brotherhood

by Patti Larsen

  Femke, I sent.

  I already know. Her touch told me she sensed what I did. How did we miss it?

  You were looking? I exhaled my guilt. Perhaps I hadn’t failed him alone.

  Piers. Quaid. All of us, Syd. Her mental voice shook. Belaisle’s skill has improved. Not one of us saw it. Her eyes flickered to the side, met mine. Not even you?

  I shook my head. It had to be his connection to Dark Brother giving him such subtlety. Lovely. Just lovely. I really needed to find Liander and show him just how much I cared. As slowly and painfully as possible.

  Femke’s shoulders dipped just a bit. “You will be removed for your trial,” she said, voice softer than before. “We will be fair but justice will be done, Danilo.”

  “I ask one boon,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  She looked surprised, but nodded. “You may ask,” she said.

  “That my family not be punished for my failures.” He turned to Charlotte who watched with her flat, empty expression firmly in place. “I ask that Sharlotta Moreau take the throne and may she be a better queen than I ever was king.”

  I already knew what my friend was going to say.

  “By your order, I am no longer a Moreau,” Charlotte said. “And I refuse.”

  Damn it, Femke sent. I knew this would happen. I hope they can live with the consequences. “We don’t have to do this now.”

  “We do.” Danilo’s jaw set. “I will not leave my people unprotected.”

  “Then, I have a suggestion,” Femke said. “That Oleksander Moreau resume the throne.”

  I missed seeing the former king, standing within, watching. He seemed greatly reduced to me, an old man, not the powerful were I knew he was. He, too, shook his head, though his daughter didn’t hesitate.

  “I accept such a task,” Olena said, proud head raised, shoulders back. “But only as regent. Until my grandson, Yanis, is of majority and able to take the throne.” The oldest of the king’s brood couldn’t have been more than four years old. He had a long way to go to take over. And I didn’t trust Charlotte’s mother, not completely. But even Danilo seemed hopeful.

  “Thank you, Mother,” he said.

  She bowed her head at last. “I may have made mistakes with my own children,” she said, glancing at Charlotte, “but I will do my very best with yours.” Wow. Just. Wow. If I was Charlotte I’d be burning up with fury. My friend just stared at the ground. Fine. I’d be pissed at her mother for her. And wouldn’t forget the werewoman’s attitude.

  “And I.” Oleksander’s whole demeanor changed, broad shoulders square, the old light back in his eyes. At least he I trusted. “Together we will raise the next wereking. And our nation will be stronger for it.”

  It should have been a victorious moment. Instead, it just felt like yet another defeat at the hands of the Brotherhood as the good man and king Danilo had been was led away.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Charlotte left with Quaid, Sage accompanying her. I considered staying behind to talk to Oleksander, but he and Olena disappeared inside with Mom and a few other of the leaders, so I let him go. I’d pop back in a few days, show my support and see if there was anything else I could do.

  Charlotte’s mind reached for mine as Enforcer fire engulfed their little group. He’s my brother, she sent, without apology. We did the right thing.

  I let her go, too, Femke at my side. When they disappeared, I turned to her with a small sigh I couldn’t contain.

  “I’ll do everything I can for him,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Now that we know he wasn’t in full control.”

  And yet, the pressure of the thrall was so subtle we all missed it. Which made me wonder just how small a push Danilo needed to do what he’d done.

  I sighed and looked out over the lawn at the milling group of paranormals remaining. Now that the impending battle was diffused and the werenation no longer the enemy, many of the council leaders were packing up their Enforcers and leaving, in slightly more organized fashion than they’d arrived. Femke really should have been talking to them, not me, but I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

  “I know you will,” I said. “While I finally find a way to catch the bastard who gave him the push into darkness.” I could still hear Belaisle’s haunting laughter in my head. Femke nodded, not commenting. Maybe I should have left that task to her Enforcers. But I had a special place in hell set aside for Belaisle and his compatriots. I’d be more than happy to add this assault to his tally.

  No matter what, Danilo was still my friend, under all his hurt. He deserved justice, to know who controlled him, if he didn’t already. And that meant a chat with the Empress to find out what was really going on.

  As for Jiao… I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised to find she had a power like hers. I’d been wary of her from the beginning. Not threatened, really. But I sensed her difference and, from the way Max treated her from the get go, I knew there had to be something odd about her. The ability to turn into a dragon, however, hadn’t really crossed my mind. A tinge of irritation woke inside me, triggered by my memory of the drach leader. He knew full well what she was and hadn’t told me. Might have info about Moa that could assist. And he’d kept it all to himself. I didn’t want to doubt him, not after everything we’d been through, but Max and I had a history, a past that still burned a tiny coal of worry deep inside me. Tied to Liam and betrayal. And though it was Fate who forced Max to hold me back, to keep me from saving my first husband from death, it had been the drach lord’s magic and physical body that kept me from reaching Liam. I’d forgiven him long ago, but the pain of that act lingered and likely would forever.

  When I turned to look for Max—and answers—I found he’d already gone. Which only made my irritation worse. Gram hadn’t left me, though, coming to my side, her brows pulled together as I knew mine were. Sunny and Frank joined us as well while Gram spoke.

  “While I’d love to stay and enjoy the Ukrainian evening,” she said with her usual wit, “someone would very much like to talk to us.”

  I perked. “Apollo?”

  Sunny and Frank exchanged a look. I motioned for them to join us and they did, without question. A moment later we’d left behind our brief sojourn into one disaster, my mind tickling me with the suggestion we were only heading to another.

  Pessimist.

  Simon was deep in conversation, Owen at his side, the pair of them talking so low I missed what they were saying. They both looked up as we entered the basement, Simon waving me forward, the light from his monitors catching on the lenses of his glasses.

  I circled to his side, bending at the waist, an instant smile on my face as I saw who waved at me from the other side of the screen.

  “Nice cleavage,” Apollo said.

  I laughed, grateful for the unexpected moment of levity. I covered myself with one hand, bending my knees so I didn’t have to show him so much. “You’re alive,” I said. “Nice job.”

  He grinned, shrugged, the camera moving oddly as he held the shirt it housed in front of him, bare chest just visible below his chin. “Never underestimate a Zornov,” he said, before sobering. “I’m in. More than in.” He glanced to his right before going on, voice lower. “One of my old recruit buddies is Belaisle’s new second in command. Kayden’s all chummy again and wants me to join his elite team.”

  I didn’t know if I should be nervous or happy. “You said yes?”

  Apollo rolled his eyes. “No, I told him to offer the perfect chance to someone who wasn’t spying on him.”

  Sigh.

  “I’m about to head out,” he said, the view shifting as he began to put his shirt back on. I turned away, listening as he talked. “Si said the audio’s been an issue, but don’t worry, okay? I have it handled.” He was up and moving toward a wooden door. It looked like he was somewhere underground.

  “Say the word and we’ll come get you.” That was really the smartest, safest course of action. “And
Belaisle.”

  “Let me keep working this.” He paused at the door, hand on the knob. “Just trust me, Syd. When I have Belaisle in my pocket, I’ll call you. And you can take his ass down.”

  The door opened and he emerged from the room he’d been in. I squeaked as he almost ran into someone, the camera just high enough to catch the face of a young man with blond hair. The audio chose exactly then to cut out, of course, the static making Simon wince and turn the sound down. But the video was perfect, catching the smile of the blond, the way he clapped Apollo on the shoulder, shaking the feed. Showing me everything, including who stood behind him when the man I assumed was Kayden stepped out of the way.

  Belaisle. And he wasn’t alone. Eva Southway stood at his side. She was talking, I could see her lips moving, and for a moment, the sound popped back in.

  “—track her anywhere, thanks to Piers—”

  That was all I heard. Because a moment later, Liander Belaisle looked up and into Apollo’s face.

  And the feed went silent and dark.

  I tried not to panic. To freak the hell out. Instead, I turned to Simon whose face went rigid in shock.

  “Tell me it’s a glitch,” I said, surprised by how calm I felt.

  He didn’t meet my eyes. “I have no idea,” he said. “But I’ll find out.”

  I stepped away from Simon, turning to Owen. He looked distressed, but not enough for me to think Apollo was dead. “Anything?”

  He just shook his head, mute.

  Okay then.

  When I turned to face Gram and the vampires, I drew a shaky breath. From the looks on their faces, my grandmother had filled Sunny and Frank in on our plan. All three seemed anxious, almost apologetic, worried. Considering I’d just put someone into harm’s way and left him there to deal with it on his own, they should have been furious.

  I know I was.

  “Well,” I said, forcing casual past my self-recrimination, “at least now we have proof Eva is working with Belaisle. Piers will be thrilled.”

  Gram crossed her arms over her chest, giving me the stink eye. “Don’t go changing the subject,” she said. “I know where your head is. This is not your fault.”

  “Did he tell us where he was?” I turned to Simon who shook his head.

  “I have GPS, though, remember?” He tapped on his keyboard “I know exactly where he is.”

  “No, don’t.” Owen grabbed my arm, turned me toward him. “Please, Syd, trust Apollo. No one can talk himself out of a corner like he can. He’ll be okay.” If there had even been a hint of doubt in the younger Zornov I would have pulled the plug, torn the world apart at the coordinates Simon gave me. But, instead of fear, there was only surety, confidence in his brother.

  Still, Belaisle was where Apollo stood just a moment ago. The temptation was so powerful I could taste it.

  “If you barge in now,” Owen said, voice low, for my ears only, “you might get him killed.”

  Sobering thought. “I want Belaisle.” So badly. So. Freaking. Much. The look on Danilo’s face would not leave me alone, nor would the whisper of Belaisle’s mocking laughter left behind with the magic he’d used to control the wereking.

  Think about that a moment, my vampire sent. He wanted you to know.

  Taunting us, my demon snarled.

  No. Shaylee hesitated before going on. A lure.

  A trap? Did he want me to chase him? If what Eva said was true, he knew where I was right now. At this second. A cold sweat broke out all over me, plastering the silk shell of my blouse to my body. Everyone in the room with me was in danger.

  Don’t be silly, my vampire sent. If he wanted to attack Wilding Springs, he’d have done so.

  Tried that, my demon sent. Lost the farm.

  Right. Deep breaths, Syd.

  There is always the possibility of sending in or recruiting a spy in our midst. Leave it to Shaylee to think of that. Her mother, Aoilainn, was, after all, the Seelie queen and mistress of deception.

  Happy thought, that, my demon growled.

  I find that unlikely, but I suppose we can’t ignore any options at this juncture. My vampire’s voice, normally calm and cold, sounded almost eager. She did love a good puzzle. What worries me more is the fact he tried to make you chase him in the first place. That’s new. My vampire paused before going on. And makes me worry he thinks he has a way to stop you this time.

  We’d just see about that.

  We need to set that trap, my vampire sent. Use this against him. It’s the only way we’ll win.

  “Twenty-four hours,” I said, swallowing my anxiety, giving in to my vampire and to the look on Owen’s face. “If we don’t have contact with Apollo before then, we go looking. Agreed?”

  Owen nodded quickly, turned back to Simon.

  Agreed, my egos said in chorus.

  I uncoiled as best I could, stomach churning unhappily, before letting it go.

  “I’ll find Piers.” Gram hugged me. “Tell him the bad news.”

  “Thanks.” I just didn’t have the heart to break it to one of my closest friends his mother was as big a traitor as I thought she was.

  “Anything we can do?” Sunny and Frank both seemed forlorn, lost, holding hands like a young, beautiful couple who’d somehow lost their way.

  “Yes,” I said, slipping between them as Gram disappeared in a tunnel of black. “You can come home with me and watch a movie. Maybe make cookies. And pretend like nothing is wrong for a little while.”

  They draped their arms over my shoulders we walked back to the house, me hugging them around their waists. It was a warm dusk for late September, the kind of day that felt like summer might be coming back for a visit, if just for a little while. Crickets sang their early evening happy songs from the grass, a pond ringing with the joy of a group of eager frogs. The hum of electrical wires filled the backspace of the song of nature and, truly, for that stroll on the warm pavement down the block under the just waking light of the streetlamps with the vampires at my side, I believed anything was possible.

  Sydlynn. Max’s voice reached me, broke the spell of beauty, pulled me to a halt.

  Max. I was still annoyed with him, I realized. He must have sensed it, because his power gently hugged me before he spoke again.

  You have questions.

  Duh. I rubbed my forehead while waving off the concerned looks of Sunny and Frank. I do, I sent. But you’re calling for a reason.

  The Fates need to see us, he sent.

  Right now? I looked up at the stars, drawing a deep breath. It’s been a long couple of days, Max.

  I understand, he sent, urgency in his voice. But they insist. And they’ve asked for you to bring Gabriel.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  They wanted me to what? I shook my head, a frown forming. Forget it, I sent. Leave my son out of this.

  My choice as well, he sent. But they are most persistent. And say if you don’t bring him they will have him brought.

  Like bloody freaking hell. I steamed as I paced a small circle on the street. Sunny and Frank watched, silent and steady, there for me though they had no idea what was going on. I loved them for that, stopped and hugged them both.

  “The Fates want to see Gabriel.” I stepped back from the vampires who both radiated concern.

  “Is it safe?” Sunny’s question was less fearful and more calmly curious.

  “I think so.” I shivered, rubbing at the fresh goosebumps on my arms. I was so tired of this suit, seriously. How long had I been wearing it? I needed a shower and some junk food and sleep. Maybe coffee. Not another trip through the veil with my son.

  The vampires exchanged a look before Uncle Frank spoke.

  “His power is beyond the rest of us,” he said, blue eyes sad. “And I know he’s just a boy, but Syd… if they’re asking.”

  “I have to go.” I nodded to them. “Thanks for coming, you guys.”

  “We’ll go to the house,” Sunny said, taking Frank’s hand. “Ch
eck in with the girls.” So they knew about that, did they? “And Sass will want to be updated. We’ll hold down the fort until you get home.”

  So much love. Did I even deserve it? I embraced them again before turning and opening the veil. I couldn’t say thank you. I’d cry. I just hoped they knew how grateful I was.

  I arrived at Harvard in the growing dark, though Mom’s light was on in her office. I didn’t want a conversation about this trip, so I shielded my power as I tiptoed to the hall and the kid’s doors. Gabriel’s was across from Ethie’s. Guilt I was leaving her behind warred with fear at bringing him along. Galleytrot lifted his big head as I eased the door open and pressed my finger to my lips to keep him quiet.

  What’s wrong? He was on his feet, big mane shaking as the hound sensed my concern.

  Nothing, I sent, sitting next to my son. Gabriel’s eyes opened and he sat up, appearing to be wide awake.

  “We’re going, aren’t we, Mom?” He turned and slid out of bed, reaching for his jeans lying on the chair next to him. “They asked me to come visit.” He knew already?

  The Fates. “We are,” I said, glancing at Galleytrot.

  “Not without me,” he rumbled.

  Before I could tell him otherwise, Gabriel finished buttoning his pants and laid his hands on the big dog’s head. “Not this time,” he said, with kindness but firmly. “There are things I think I need to do alone.”

  Galleytrot’s low whine broke my heart but he bowed his big head to Gabriel.

  “Be safe,” the dog whispered.

  “Always.” My son looked up at me with a smile. “Can we go now?”

  So eager. I just hoped our trip to Center was everything he imagined.

  I wasn’t messing around with this visit, hell no. When I opened the veil it was directly in the Fate’s chamber, refusing to risk setting down in the courtyard below. Zeon and his maji could bite my ass for the break in protocol. No way was I giving that zealot a chance to lay one eyeball on my son.