Page 12 of A Spark Of Revenge

“What of the Asians and Russians?” Elaine asks, worrying her hands as she looks at Lennox.

“The Russians will help if my father calls upon them, but the Asians have been a separate faction of the Umbra Hunters and have broken no laws. I’m unsure if they would help, and I know Orcus will not call upon them to take up arms. He wanted you all to govern yourselves for a reason.” Nox looks around himself as if hoping a clear solution will just appear. “He won’t disturb the only faction that has successfully lived by the rules and power gifted to them without reason,” he says with a weary sigh.

“Will your father send his help? Surely he can spare some of your forces from Versipellis,” she asks hopefully, and Nox winces.

“Father has no idea that we just overthrew the North American Seniorem. I’m afraid we will all be in hot water because of it,” I say, stepping into the conversation and making Elaine’s eyes widen in horror.

“What!?” she hisses between clenched teeth.

“It’s fine. This was necessary to help the progress of the mission we were sent to do. Father will understand,” Nox grumbles, glaring at me before looking back to Elaine. “Oh, and I need the Jennings boy brought to the council room for questioning,” Nox demands, his green eyes flicking to the man who just tensed at his words. I eye Theodore Drakos and sigh in frustration. He would probably know where Meyer might be as well, but I’m guessing Elaine won't like the idea of her son being questioned.

“Oh? And why is that? Jordan has had a bad night, and I think it best we let him calm down before we try to talk with him,” Elaine says calmly, though her eyes narrow slightly at Nox, the smallest bit of anger bleeding into her words.

“Elaine. I need to talk to the boy. That's all,” Nox reassures her.

“No.” A firm voice clips out, making Elaine wince, and Nox growls, looking at Theo, who is now standing directly behind his mother, his brown eyes glassy and hands shaking at his sides. I take a moment and study the boy, a small hint of pity coming to the surface when I see how haggard he looks. His brown hair looks like it hasn’t been brushed in weeks and his nose is swollen and bruised from where his friend had punched him earlier.

“Excuse me?” Nox snarls, losing some of his cool.

“Theo,” Elaine scolds, turning on her son before Nox can say anything else.

“No, Mom. I did what I had to, but I refuse to let them question Jordan. Where the hell is Meyer? Huh? Why isn't she back here?” Theo asks, moving to step past his mother, his breathing coming in short, heavy pants.

“Theodore!” Elaine grinds out, but Ranger Drakos is now on a roll with his anger, and there is no stopping him.

“No! I won’t let them hurt another person important to me. I did this for you, but that doesn’t mean I trust them,” Theo snarls, making Nox laugh in amusement as he steps forward, looking down at the young boy with anger and excitement brewing in his eyes.

“Ranger, I think it’s past your bedtime,” Lennox drawls while moving past the irate young man. “Report to the barracks before I write you up for misconduct and failure to listen to your supervisor.”

“You are not my supervisor. You're not even a Hunter!” Theo retorts, face red as he tries to side-step his mother. Thankfully, Elaine is there, rolling her eyes before she grabs Theo by the ear and tugs him down so she can look into her son's eyes.

“You're right. Lennox is no Hunter. He is a Demon Prince, the heir to the power that created us all. Now you will go to the barracks and do as you’re told,” Elaine murmurs, her voice calm and collected. Theo's mouth opens to argue, and Elaine shakes the boy by the ear a little more. “And you’ll trust me to keep Jordan safe. You know I will,” she adds softly, making Theo's mouth snap closed, his face twisted into anger and pain as he nods. Theo shoots Lennox a deadly look before he pivots on his heel and stalks stiffly up the stairs. The moment he’s out of view, Elaine whirls on Nox, finger outstretched as she descends on him.

“That was uncalled for, and you will hold your tongue,” she scolds, somehow sounding respectful while making Lennox step back in shock. I have to hide my smile at Nox’s bewildered look as he nods in agreement. I mentally take note to let Mother know she will have a great friend in Elaine. If I didn't know better, I would say Elaine and Mom were sisters.

“He was being disrespectful,” Nox argues, though his voice is soft, no longer combative.

“Yes, he was. But he just had his best friend scream at him for his betrayal, and Meyer hasn't shown up. He’s young and scared, Lennox. Things might have gone smoother if you hadn't locked Jordan up and chased Meyer away,” she adds with a quirked brow. “Care to fill me in on that tiny subject? I swear if you hurt that girl…”

“We didn't hurt her,” I cut in, reassuring Elaine while Nox nods at my side. She nods in approval at me, a small smile in place. I laugh a little when she smiles at Raz, who lets out a weird huffing sound instead of the growl he normally would have given. Yeah, I’m going to have to run a DNA test on this woman. She’s too much like Mom to let it lie. I swear she’ll have the three of us running around the castle like idiots doing her bidding in no time.

“We did lose her, though,” Nox adds, making Elaine whirl back in his direction, stunned expression in place.

“Pardon? How does one lose a woman?” she asks with a sharp edge in her voice.

“She’s surprisingly clever,” Nox mutters darkly. “That's why we need the Jennings boy. We need to know if he can lead us to where Meyer might be hiding. She’s still on the mountain, but there isn't a trail that we can follow. I promise not to traumatize him too much,” Nox barters and Elaine sets her hands on her slim waist, glaring at Nox.

“You will not traumatize him at all, Lennox. I’ll bring Jordan to you, but only because we need to find Meyer before she’s harmed. And…” she stresses, glaring at Nox, who sighs in frustration at her show of disapproval, “I will be present the entire time you question him.” Nox frowns but eventually nods, muttering about annoying women and the stress they cause under his breath as he strides away, not giving me or Raz any form of acknowledgement.

Elaine and I watch him go, Razar moving swiftly to catch up to him as Nox thunders down the hall, making the people dash out of his way. “Creed, what actually happened?” she asks, worry set on her pale face as her calm demeanor cracks. She brings a well-manicured hand to her mouth, biting her thumbnail before looking at me.

“Nothing good, Elaine. That's why we need to find her,” I whisper back before begrudgingly following my brothers to the council room.

SIX

Meyer

Iwake up toasty warm and snuggled into my blankets on my bed, the sense of peace and tranquility keeping me locked in a blissful state. Sighing in contentment, I roll to my back and stretch. My back is sore for some reason, making me wince as I crack an eye open, gasp, and immediately slam it shut when pain erupts behind my eyes.

---