Page 78 of Burn It Down

“That car explosion wasn’t Carson’s doing. He’d never try to kill his son. Someone as accomplished as Asher and as respected, being his heir gives him stability. And there’s sentiment there, too. It’s disturbing sentiment, but he would never cross the line of going for the kill. It was the work of the Heretics, their attempt to take out Asher.”

“That makes no sense, they want the same thing—the Infidels destroyed.”

“And Asher already delivered that destabilizing blow. There’s a little bit more work to be done, yes, but the goliath is on the track to falling now without a doubt. They’re scrambling, fumbling. They won’t be able to hold their heads above water for much longer, especially when I have my plants interfering in the arms deals they’re trying to make in a Hail Mary attempt to save themselves from total ruin.” He folded his arms across his chest and told me, “With that in play, Asher is now considered a risk. For two reasons. One is because they’re concerned he might now decide to take the seat of power.”

“And the other?”

His gaze darted behind me and I craned my neck to see Olivia now standing there, leaning against the kitchen doorway.

She gave a nod. “It’s time. Tell her.”

My dad grimaced. “Yeah.” He shifted his weight again, took a moment, then told me, “The second reason is you.”

“Me?”

“They don’t want you with the sons of the Head Infidels. They don’t want you to be a part of that life. They don’t see the distinction between that and Carson’s abuse and torment of those he becomes romantically entangled with.”

I heard a discontented noise from Olivia and looked to see her face twisted, pain in her eyes at the memories of what he’d subjected her to.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“He’ll be wiped off the map soon, love,” my dad said, going to her and tucking her into his side, comforting her.

It took a moment, then Olivia told him, “Tell her the rest.”

“I’m sorry,” my dad said, eyeing me. “I didn’t want you to ever know this.”

My pulse picked up at his words, my body tensing. “Know what?” I asked, worriedly.

“The reason for the Heretics’ interest in you, why they were so concerned about your involvement with the sons, so much so that they tried to murder Asher to try to break the connection with absolute force.”

“You know their leader, don’t you?”

He nodded. “I always have.”

I braced myself. “Well? Who… who is it?”

“Nyx. Also known as Isobel Carlyle. Your mom, Aurora.”

I choked, staggering back as the shock of it slammed into me like an actual physical weight.

“No… that can’t… she’s dead, for one… and then… becoming one of them… no.”

“She didn’t die in that accident. In fact, she staged the whole thing for Carson’s benefit.”

“So she could escape him?”

“She wasn’t his victim, Aurora.”

“Of course she was, he corrupted her and—”

“Like I thought your boyfriends corrupted you?”

God.

“She went to him for power. She used him for all he was worth, until she was ready to start up the Heretics. The similarity between the names is a fuck-you to Carson. She’s been working in the shadows for years, building her strength, resources, and power. Her goal is to usurp him and the Infidels, to replace them and reign supreme over everyone and everything. She’s a megalomaniac. He gave her a taste for it and she’s been an addict ever since, only growing worse as time went on.”

“Oh my God… I can’t…”

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