by Rachel Jonas
The call ended, and I racked my brain to figure out how on Earth I was going to find out anything about the outside from in here. Yet, this was too big a deal not to try something. If our connection to the island had been severed, our operation would have to temporarily shut down, until the issue was solved.
What a morning.
The floor creaked when I stood, and Elle must have heard it, because the second I was officially on my feet, she came bounding back into the suite.
“How are your friends?” she piped, completely missing the look of distress I was certain I had plastered across my face.
“They’re fine,” I answered, leaving out the details Liv had shared.
“Glad to hear it.” Elle paused to toss me an apple, and I caught it at the last second. “You should eat. Prince Julian suggested that I take you for a walk this morning. Oh! And he asked me to give you this.”
I didn’t miss her cheeky grin when she finished speaking, or the suggestive way she bounced her brow at me.
It was another envelope, but this one didn’t carry with it the same heavy sense of doom and gloom as the one from the Magistrates. No, the one I held now was crafted of expensive paper and had my name written in beautiful script on it. Pulling the card free from inside, I realized it was an invitation.
“He wants to court you,” Elle revealed with a giggle, before I even had the chance to read, but she was right.
“He’d like to know if I’ll accompany him to dinner this evening,” I shared, as if she hadn’t already peeked at it.
“Yes, and he wants to give you a close-up view of the city,” she added, nearly bouncing out of her skin with excitement. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was invited, too. “Will you accept?”
I stared at the invitation, feeling so many emotions. Anxious about the Magistrates. Concerned for my team, for Spencer. Hopeful anticipation at the idea of spending the evening with Julian.
“I accept,” I nodded.
“Ah! Perfect!” She squealed. “I have the perfect dress! And the perfect style we can do to your hair.”
Pretending to be as excited about playing dress up as she was, I mocked her a bit. “Perfect!”
“I know, right? Get dressed and meet me downstairs for our walk. Then we’ll head back and get everything laid out.”
She left like a whirlwind, riding high on the prospect of dolling me up for the night. I managed to smile a little at her antics despite all the other thoughts that swam around in my head. Without giving my actions much thought, I pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top for our morning exercise, managing to get the apple down in a few bites. As I exited my room, I was almost certain this day wasn’t done with me.
What other surprises are in store?
Lost in thought, I nearly smacked right into Silas. Had it not been for his quick reflexes, we would have collided for sure.
“Oh, shoot! Sorry,” I chuckled, still feeling a bit rattled from the conversation with Liv.
His hand lingered on my waist, where he’d caught me, and even this slight contact between us was dizzying.
“It’s fine. Don’t apologize,” he smirked, wetting his lips with the words.
He moved aside to let me through, and his fingertips slipped over the small sliver of exposed skin above my waistband. The touch continued when he caught my hand, only holding on long enough to make me swoon.
It worked.
My eyes followed him like a lioness in heat. And just as quickly as he’d come, he was headed away from me, back on course to wherever he’d been going before I interrupted with my clumsiness.
It took a moment for the giddy girl with raging hormones inside me to quiet down. Eventually, the responsible adult I knew I was capable of being stepped forward again.
“Hey, have a sec?” I called out to him, catching him at the last moment, before he disappeared around a corner.
“For you? Always,” he answered with a smile.
The warmth in his eyes when they met mine made me feel undone. It’d been that way all week. For some reason, the secret between us—our plans to infiltrate the Tine Facility—made the tension between us even thicker. It was evident even now, in the way my heart raced as he returned to me. In the pleased look that crossed his face as he did a quick scan of my figure, and in the lingering stare as our gazes found one another’s.
“I uh … I wondered if you could do me a favor?” After stammering like an idiot, because he made me forget why I even called him over, I spoke in a whisper. Just in case anyone was nearby. “Can you possibly help me get my hands on some info?”
His brow gathered at the center as he became curious. “Sure. Whatever you need.”
He was always so kind, so accommodating, and it wasn’t until now—when I entrusted him with yet another of my secrets—that I realized how much stock I put in our natural connection.
“A friend’s gone missing, and I hoped you could put your feelers out to see if you can find anything. I’d do it myself, but here my resources are pretty limited,” I reminded him.
Understanding, he nodded. “Of course. What’s her name?”
“His name is Spencer,” I corrected. “And he works the docks just east of the Danfield Medical House.”
Silas offered another thoughtful nod. “I’m familiar with the area. Is it safe to assume this friend is an Ianite?”
It didn’t surprise me he’d guess as much, seeing as how it was extremely rare for a human male to be employed outside one of the mills. In other words, if it wasn’t back-breaking, slave labor, they weren’t jobs for our men.
“He is, and it’s urgent,” I informed him. “As soon as you know something, please let me know.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
We parted ways then, and I continued on my path, feeling confident he’d do his best.
Chapter Seventeen
Julian
Having Elle see to it that Corina stayed out of the house for at least an hour was merely a precaution. All because of a call that came through almost right at the break of dawn.
Roman hadn’t reached out in weeks, so after hearing from him this morning, stating that it was urgent he speak with us, it was without question that the others and I would clear our schedules.
Hopefully, whatever it was he had to say, wouldn’t end with another explosive argument like the one between he and Corina. The argument responsible for keeping him away all these days.
We sat in silence, each with our gazes fixed on the window that faced the circular drive. Levi—being the unashamed day-drinker he was—had foregone a glass, choosing to hang on to the entire wine bottle for what I thought we all anticipated to be a tense conversation. Silas paced thoughtfully, quieter than usual, while I held my composure from the seat behind my desk. It took every ounce of energy within me to stay optimistic.
So far, it wasn’t working.
At the first glint of sunlight on the hood of a polished black sedan, I was on my feet, not bothering to wait for someone on my staff to take notice and let him into the house. By the time my brother from the South was escorted from the backseat by his security, I was already at the door.
He mentioned on the call that he’d been away this past week to gather his thoughts. Stopping here upon his return had taken precedence over all else, which left me to wonder what was of such great importance that he’d order his jet to land in my quadrant instead of his own.
There was a heightened sense of it having been way too long since we communicated. Yet, despite the uncertainty that lingered between us, embracing him felt as natural as breathing. He’d always been a brother to me. I wouldn’t stop treating him as such now.
“It’s good to see you,” I admitted. No, I wasn’t sure I’d feel that way a few minutes from now, once our conversation commenced, but at the moment it was true.
“And you as well,” he answered. “Are the others here?”
Nodding, I directed him toward the study. As I followed, ta
king note of how formally he was dressed, I realized he was treating this more like a business transaction than a reunion—a fact that shifted my perspective right away.
This was not a social call.
The tension in the room was heavy when I closed the door behind me. Silas and I seemed to be of the same mind, that we ought to treat Roman as if nothing had transpired between us. The smile he wore as he approached Roman was nothing but kind, and from what I could tell, it was received in the same spirit.
Levi, on the other hand, was a different story.
There was barely eye contact exchanged between them. He hadn’t kept secret his feelings concerning Roman’s behavior. In his words, Roman had been recklessly selfish, especially considering that all our lives were on the line. It was for that reason, I preferred his silence over a reaction. Needless to say, I had no plans to make today about mending the fence between them. For now, it was safest to leave it broken.
“We’re happy to have you,” I began, “but I think we’re curious as to what this is about? Hopefully, you’ve decided to rejoin us, to finish what we started?”
The dim look within his eyes told me this wasn’t the case.
“Not exactly,” he sighed. “Actually, in the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that my views on the blood bond haven’t changed. I’m still as against it today as I was from the start.”
Disappointment hit me hard and swiftly.
“Then what’s this about?” Silas interjected.
Roman took a seat opposite Levi on the couch, peering up to meet Silas’ gaze. “I’ve come to present you with undisputable evidence that what you all have agreed to engage in is a terrible idea, and it would be remiss of me not to bring you up to speed.”
He had the attention of everyone in the room.
“Well, to start, I’ll have to explain what my time away has taught me. And also … what Jon Carlisle has taught me.”
At those words, Levi leveled a dark glare on Roman. His nostrils flared in anger and I was mindful of there being a possibility I’d have to intervene.
“Of all the dicks you could have screwed us with, you chose Jon Carlisle,” Levi seethed.
Roman turned to him then, suddenly wearing a similar expression.
“Arguing will get us nowhere,” Silas quickly interjected. “Just … say what it is you came here to say, Roman.”
After a few tense seconds passed, Roman seemed to compose himself. “Yes, I’ve been in contact with Jon, but you may find that has worked out to your advantage.”
“How so?” Silas took the words right out of my mouth.
“Because my communication with him has opened my eyes,” Roman shared. “Even more so than they were before. For starters, I no longer believe you three are damned for this decision you’ve made. There’s a way out.”
Or so he thought. For Levi and I, at least, that ship had sailed. With our deep connection to Corina, allowing any measure of harm to befall her was completely out of the question. But that declaration wouldn’t have changed anything for us, even if our lives weren’t linked.
“If you three would decide here and now to stop this … charade,” he spoke with disgust, “I can help you, but you must accept that you can’t hold on to Corina, and your futures as monarchs in this dynasty. That simply will not work.”
“Oh, to hell with the titles!” Levi spat. “You of all people ought to know there are more important things in a man’s life than having a label before his name.”
I held my breath, imagining Silas had done the same. Although the reference to love and family had been loose, I was certain it hadn’t gone over Roman’s head. The tension in his jaw only confirmed that.
“Ok, so a title isn’t important to you,” Roman replied a little too calmly. “What about treason?” he asked. “What about being named among the biggest traitors this Dynasty has ever known?”
“Just tell us what this is about,” Silas repeated, not bothering to give Levi a chance to respond to Roman’s taunting.
“It’s about that woman you insist on keeping,” was Roman’s answer. “She’s brought nothing but trouble and heartache to our lives since she arrived. Not to mention, having her around is an insult to honorable, dignified Ianite women worldwide.”
With how loudly he spoke, I was grateful for having the forethought to get Corina out of the house before he arrived. He was honest, though; his outlook hadn’t changed.
“So, just out of curiosity,” I interrupted. “What is it, exactly, that you propose we do?”
His gaze fell on me. “I propose we hand her over to the Magistrates and be done with it.”
Levi rolled his eyes and took a deep swig of wine.
“We’ve all committed to her before the entire world,” Silas reminded him.
“Yes, but what if I could assure you that I had solid, irrefutable evidence that the bond was agreed to under false pretenses? Would that make you think differently?”
The question caused me to search my heart. Was there anything he could tell me about this woman I’d taken as my mate, that would make me toss her aside? Anything that would make me think I was better off without her?
“Quit pissing all over what began as a decent morning, and say what it is you need to say,” Levi sighed.
When Roman eyed him, I was certain his fuse had shortened since he first arrived.
“I have it on good authority that your beloved pet,” he spoke with hatred in his tone, “isn’t as innocent as you think she is.”
“Since when have you known me to like my women innocent?” Levi retorted.
“Yeah? Well, do you also like them at the top of the known terrorists list?”
Roman’s revelation caused a hush to fill the room.
“I’ll be the first to admit that Jon’s methods are questionable at best,” he revealed, “but one thing I can say about the man is that he’s effective. So much so, he was able to get ahold of an Ianite by the name of Spencer who completely changed the game.”
Silas peered up, turning an inquisitive stare toward Roman. “Spencer?”
Roman nodded to confirm. “An Ianite that Jon turned over to the Butcher, to get answers.”
“Answers to which questions?” I asked.
“Well, the most important mystery was solved when he showed the man a picture of Corina.” A dark smile crossed Roman’s face as he met my gaze. “According to the Butcher’s captive, the woman in the photo Jon held doesn’t only answer to the name she so generously shared with us. From what this poor, unfortunate soul revealed before being silenced forever, your latest houseguest is none other than the infamous Blackbird.”
That silence returned to the room, and it was so incredibly stifling now. All at once, the bits and pieces that had been revealed over the last several weeks came flooding back to me. Two sides of me warred within.
One insisted that what Roman just shared wasn’t a revelation at all, only confirmation of what I’d been telling myself couldn’t possibly be true. I couldn’t have fallen for a woman who only ever meant to bring the Dynasty to its knees.
The second pressed me to accept what this truly meant. That things weren’t so black and white anymore, now that we’d been brought into the very heart of Corina’s operation, and had even begun to sympathize with them.
That word Roman hurled not too long ago, hit me again.
Traitor.
“So, you expect us to believe a confession drawn out of a man who you admit was under duress from being tortured? Maimed?” Levi argued. Only, he didn’t bother letting Roman respond as he stood, gesturing for our now distant friend to do the same. “I think you’re done here.”
Apparently, he’d heard enough.
“She has you all blinded,” Roman insisted, straightening his jacket as he prepared to leave. “And now that I’m here to warn you, offering you a way out, you’re rejecting it?” He scoffed at the idea that we wouldn’t jump to crucify her.
“Call us when you have
something solid,” were Levi’s parting words as he escorted Roman to the door and shoved him out onto the porch. It was a low point in our brotherhood, but when neither Silas nor myself acted to stop him, it certainly proved with whom our allegiance lied.
“Just remember,” Roman uttered with a glare, and frustration brimming over, “I came to you like a man, tried to discuss this civilly. I make no promises that I’ll be able to stop Jon’s pursuit in the future. Nor will I promise I’ll attempt diplomacy if you refuse to listen.”
There was a long stretch of silence where it was acknowledged that we had reached a stalemate. Roman sought to force our hands by giving us an ultimatum, one to which none of us were willing to bend. The final nail in the coffin was when Levi closed the door, sealing us off from a man who’d been an integral part of our brotherhood. I could only hope this severance was temporary.
Levi turned to face Silas and I, and there were so many questions and thoughts lingering among us. With how he reacted, I wondered if he was in denial regarding the truth with which Roman had just slapped us in the face. However, when he met my gaze the next second, I questioned that.
“Well, there it is, gentlemen,” Levi sighed. “The rotund elephant in the room has just been set free, and it’s breaking vases, furniture and all of Nana’s whatnots,” he added casually. “So, what the heck are we to do from here?”
“You believe him?” I asked, confused because the statement was a stark contradiction to his reaction to Roman a moment ago. “You truly believe Corina is Blackbird?”
Levi’s brow quirked as if he thought I’d be naïve not to. “I mean, don’t we all agree that would make sense?” he confirmed with a short chuckle. “The evidence is overwhelming, actually. Even if there weren’t a confession.”
“So refuting Roman’s claim was just an act?” Silas questioned.
“Well, I couldn’t very well let him know I believed he was on to something,” Levi reasoned. “So, I thought a bit of deflection might do the trick. With any luck, we at least made him doubt himself. Maybe that’ll keep him circling the idea a while, wondering if he’s buying into Jon’s bull too easily.”
