Page 54 of Hell Storm

On Silas.

On my father’s patience.

The proof ofhisfrustration was the incessant pacing—from one end of my study to the other—that he’d maintained for the last half hour. And as if life wasn’t tense enough already, we were waiting on a phone call from the last person we wanted to hear from, at the worst possible time.

“Your Highnesses,” Elle popped in, “Dr. Percival’s assistant is on the line. She said he’ll be available in just a moment.”

I didn’t respond with more than a tense nod before the door closed.

My father impatiently beat me to the phone, which rested at the corner of my desk. He pressed the button that flashed red, and we were greeted by soft music that lulled through the speaker. Once we were connected, he went back to pacing again.

Silas passed a concerned look that only fed my anxiety. I knew this was bad, knew things could get worse in a million different ways, but had to keep a clear head.

We weren’t given a briefing as to why he chose to reach out today of all days, but we couldn’t get out of it. With the heat we’d come under lately, it was imperative we cooperated with whatever demands Dr. Percival had in mind.

There was so much to hide, so many landmines to avoid. However, when a man of his caliber personally requested a conversation, one did not turn him down under any circumstances.

Even several glasses of Scotch hadn’t been enough to keep my nerves at bay. With Roman in the wind, and with Levi and Corina missing, it would be no small feat to get through this call without caving under the pressure.

“Dr. Percival will speak with you now.”

The chipper voice on the other end of the line had Silas and I straightening in our seats, and finally brought my father to a standstill.

The voice that came through the next second, was one I’d only heard once in person, and I could have gone my entire life never hearing it again. He invoked that much fear in those who encountered him.

“Dr. Percival?” My father said with a forced grin—as if he had to put on a pleasant expression to match his false tone. He must have forgotten Dr. Percival was thousands of miles away.

“Good evening, Gentlemen,” the father of our Dynasty said in greeting.

“Pleasure to speak with you, Sir,” I replied.

“Oh, I do believe the pleasure is all mine.” There was an air of amusement in his tone that unnerved me. “I’ve heard the good news regarding you and your Dynasty Brothers and would be honored to pay you all a visit in the coming weeks. It would give us a chance to discuss some of my findings, maximizing our chances of the blood bond producing a viable cure.”

I was stunned and at a loss for words at the idea of him coming here.

“It’d be an honor to meet the fivesome whose selflessness could possibly change the course of Ianite history.” Dr. Percival continued when I didn’t interject. “That is, assuming your blood bond does, in fact, give us the result we seek.”

I swallowed hard, and blinked at my father.

“I, uh … Yes, Sir. Of course. You’re always welcome here,” I lied.

“Excellent,” he beamed. “May I ask how the five of you are adjusting so far? I’m assuming you at least, Julian, have sealed your bond with a Claiming ceremony, correct?”

I leaned closer to the speaker.

“Yes, Sir. We’ve followed your writings very closely. Silas was even kind enough to transcribe it into laymen’s terms for the rest of us,” I laughed.

“Fantastic! I’m quite familiar with Silas’ research, and trust you’re all in good hands.”

My gaze shifted to Silas, noting that he seemed genuinely shocked to hear that Dr. Percival had paid his work any attention.

“Enlighten me, has the emotional connection of the Claiming been as I suspected?” Percival asked.

I didn’t have to think about that answer, but did hesitate under the judgement of my father’s heavy stare. It was that look that prompted me to understate the powerful bond.

“Corina and I have felt the change,” I answered simply.

“And has this … Corina, initiated a bond with any of the others? Roman perhaps?”

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