Page 22 of The Heart of Moonlight Falls

Sebastian’s eyes widened in shock.

“Excuse me?” James snapped. That comment was unnecessarily aggressive, even for William, who was always antagonistic. Why did he care that Sebastian lived in town these days?

William ignored James, continuing to glare at Sebastian like he couldn’t stand to be near him. “You Storms have ruined this town. Put all of us at risk.”

James froze. At risk? Wait, what? Did William know something? How? Eleanor never would have told him about the veins.

Sebastian’s hand shook where it rested on James’s knee. “What are you talking about?”

William huffed. “I know there’s a ticking timebomb on your property, and we all might die now that you’ve abandoned your post and come into town.” He eyed them all smugly as if he’d just proven his anger was beyond reproach.

James stood from the table. He was reeling, wondering how, but the need to defend Sebastian was stronger. William knew something, but he had it all wrong. “That isn’t true. Sebastian being in town hasn’t put anyone at risk.”

“No? I heard you all talking to Eleanor.” William turned away from Sebastian to sneer at James. “You’re always turning up, poking your noses into official business you have no right to. I figured I’d see what you were up to this time. Turns out it was worse than I thought. Eleanor is trying to cover up your mistakes. She’s been sneaking around frantically trying to access all kinds of things she should need extra approval for.”

“You listened at her office door?” Hazel asked, her disgust clear.

“I shouldn’t have had to. It was lucky I saw you three creeping into town hall.” William stood up straighter, crossing his arms. “Eleanor can’t seriously believe it isn’t the Storms’ fault we all might blow up. Of course you’d frame it like you were a victim, Sebastian, to take the heat off you. Only someone gullible would take your word for it. Eleanor knew the rest of the city council wouldn’t stand for your nonsense, so she’s keeping us in the dark. Instead of taking charge, she’s helping you. Covering her ass as well as yours.” He jabbed a pointed finger at Sebastian.

Sebastian’s cheeks turned red. “Didn’t you hear me warning Eleanor? There’s a good reason she isn’t telling anyone, and it has nothing to do with sneaking around or covering anything up. This isn’t just about the unstable veins on my property. There’s a curse?—”

“As if hearing something could trap me,” William scoffed. “What a pathetic excuse. I bet you made that up to try and keep what you’ve done from getting out.”

James took a step toward William. Of course he didn’t believe the warning. Shit. Had he not stuck around to hear Eleanor’s failed attempt to report the veins to the officials? “You haven’t told anyone else, have you?”

William turned up his nose. “People have a right to know.”

James’s heart sank.

“For fuck’s sake, William,” Parker growled. “You’re a fool. You’ve trapped anyone you’ve told.”

“No.” William spat back, full of aggression, even though his confident expression wavered. “That’s ridiculous. If anyone’s trapping people, it’s him.” He pointed at Sebastian again.

Hazel got up from the bench and pulled out her phone. She walked across the street, making a call before James could ask if she was going to find Eleanor.

“Since no one is doing anything about this disaster, I’ve called a meeting,” William went on. “You Storms need to be dealt with.”

Sebastian looked stunned, blinking like he didn’t know how to respond. James went to his side, resting a hand on his shoulder. They didn’t need this. It was bad enough stressing about finding a solution without ignorant pain-in-the-asses causing even more problems.

Parker rounded the table and grabbed William by the arm. “Don’t tell anyone else. Do you hear me? This isn’t ridiculous. It’s dead serious.” He used every bit of his stature and thundering voice to their full, intimidating potential, looming over William with anger in his eyes.

“Get off me.” William pulled away, but worry finally broke through his arrogant expression. He hesitated, opened his mouth as if to say something, then turned and walked away without another word.

“Think he’s off to test whether he’s trapped?” Sebastian asked in a subdued voice.

“Why don’t I go see?” Parker walked after the man. He turned and called over his shoulder, “I’ll follow him and make sure he doesn’t spread the secret to anyone else.”

“And the people he’s already told about Storm House?” James asked, even though he didn’t expect Parker to know what to do about them.

Parker only grimaced before hurrying to follow William.

“This is bad,” Sebastian whispered.

He could say that again. The people William had told wouldn’t have any inkling that learning about the potentially explosive veins had consequences. Who knew how much further the Storm House secret had spread or how many people were now trapped.

9

SEBASTIAN

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