Page 58 of Consort of the Crime Queen

CHAPTER 28

Aurora

My breath catches in my throat as Mario opens the door to let Hadria stride back into the war room. The remaining Syndicate members gathered here visibly relax at the sight of our leader, bloodied but alive. I run over but stop myself from throwing my arms around her neck.

But I don't have to stop myself. She puts her arm around me, pulling me close before she turns to address the rest of the Syndicate.

"Nero is dead," she announces, and there's a brief, tired cheer from the Syndicate. "And we'll celebrate that fact later," she adds. "All of you, get medical attention if you need it, and then rest." She turns to me to give me a big, comforting hug, holding me so tight I can barely breathe. "You are safe," she whispers in my ear. "Safe, little sunbeam. He'll never come after you again."

I cling to her just as tight, trembling with all the adrenaline of the night. "I love you," I murmur.

"I love you, too." Her arms relax a little after a moment. "But we need to keep going a little longer. Now listen, Aurora—don't go into my bedroom. Not before I've had a chance to…" She scrunches her nose a little, and I try not to imagine the horrors I would see in that room right now.

"I won't," I tell her, and for once, I mean it. "I'll stay right here."

"How're Lyssa and Ricky?"

"Lyssa took two shots to the abdomen, a few knife slashes. She's still passed out. Ricky lost a lot of blood from those knife wounds from Tony." My voice shakes only a little as I continue. "We need to get them urgent medical care, as soon as possible."

Hadria nods. "And Nero's forces?"

Mario pipes up from behind me. "Dead or fled, boss. Looks like we wiped them all out."

"Good," Hadria says. "You did well holding the fort here, Mario. I knew I could count on you."

I can tell Mario is thrilled at the praise, even though he just shrugs and says, "Yeah, of course."

"And what are the police doing?"

He grins. "Donut run, maybe? Scanners are quiet. Don't think they're gonna bother getting involved in our business. They're happy enough for us to tear each other apart, I guess."

"One blessing, then," Hadria mutters. She pulls me a little aside and speaks softly near my ear. "I have one more piece of business to handle. My father." Her words are flat and bitter. "Can you help Mario take charge here, Sunshine? Get medical help for those who need it?"

My brows knit together with concern. "You're going after your father now?"

She gives a curt nod, face impassive. I want to argue, to beg her not to confront that monster again, but I know better than to undermine her authority. "Of course. I'll organize transport to the hospital right away."

She shakes her head regretfully. "We can't chance that. But there's an emergency contact list in my study, in the top drawer. Doctors and paramedics who can help discreetly, who will come here on request. Use the name "Hades" when you call them. And then check the grounds for any survivors, but make sure you have Mario or someone else with you who won't hesitate to put down any traitors." Her voice drops. "I'm sorry to ask that of you. It will be...messy down there."

I suppress a shudder, images of the bloodbath flashing through my mind. "We'll take care of it." I hesitate, then add softly, "Be careful, Hadria."

Hadria's stony expression softens, just for a second, and she gives a sigh, quiet and restrained so that only I can hear it. "Elysium has become a morgue tonight." With a bitter smile, she adds, "Though I suppose, in myth, Elysium was always a place for the dead."

"A happy place, though," I remind her. "A paradise."

"True. And when we regroup, it will be time for some changes around here."

I open my mouth to question her further but Hadria is already turning away, pulling on her long leather coat. "Get those medics in," she commands over her shoulder. "I'll be back soon."

I grab her arm. "Kiss me," I demand, low and urgent. "Don't ever leave without kissing me like…"

Like we might never see each other again.

I don't have to say it. She understands. And she kisses me, hard and passionately, as though we were alone in the room together.

And then she's gone.

I stare at the door for another moment before I hurry to her study off the war room, retrieving the promised list of off-the-books medical professionals willing to provide aid, and I start calling them in.

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