Page 35 of Voyage of Fury and Fate

“We’ll figure it out,” she answers with a smile.

Minutes later, the three of us are standing in front of the stilted home. “It’s lifted to protect the house from the hurricanes,” Alexander says, staring up at the large house. “Is this where the games are?” he asks Amelia.

“It is. Would you like to come inside?”

He nods, moving up the stairs at vampire speed. Amelia gives me a look that I’m not sure how to interpret. We move behind him, opening the door, and the three of us enter the opulent home.

“This is nice,” Alexander says, looking around the room. Thorne walks in behind us, startling the young boy. “Why is he here?”

“He’s staying here with us. So are the lycan,” I add.

“I don’t like the lycan,” Alexander hisses slightly as he speaks.

“No one here will harm you.”

“I know,” he answers, moving toward the television. “I’ve seen these before. How does it work?”

I push the button on the remote, filling the large screen with a game show. Alexander walks behind the TV with a puzzled look on his face. “Are they inside there?”

“No. It’s been recorded.”

He lifts his nose in the air. “The lycan are here.”

“Alexander, how long have you been with Mother?” Amelia changes the subject.

He shrugs, running his hands along the television screen. “I was the first.”

“How did Mother find you?” I ask.

He’s so quiet, I decide he’s not going to answer. “At the circus. I was lost.” His words are soft.

“Did she hurt you?” Thorne joins our conversation.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he answers, moving toward the kitchen. “What happens in here?”

“That’s where the magic happens,” Luna answers, coming inside the house. “We use that room to cook our food.”

“Are we eating from you?” he asks.

Luna’s eyes grow several sizes. “No. At least I hope not. That’s where we cook for the lycan.”

Alexander nods in understanding. “I don’t need to be chained.”

“No one is going to chain you up,” Amelia says.

“He’s thinking about chaining me in one of the bedrooms on the third floor.” Alexander nods toward Topher.

“It’s for our safety,” Topher says softly. “I would never hurt you.”

The immortal child stops moving and turns toward Topher. “You couldn’t hurt me, even if you tried.”

“No one is going to try,” I interrupt. “We want to help you.”

“My maker was like you. An immortal child,” Amelia distracts him.

“Was?” he asks. “Did he kill her?” He nods toward Topher once more.

“No. He loves her. She’s still alive, but no longer an immortal child.”

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