Page 121 of A Debt of Darkness

And that might be part of the reason for that cunt’s visit today.

“Do you think…”

Ryan nods. “It’s not inconceivable, Henry. Let’s be cautiously optimistic and see what happens.”

We sigh in unison, both convinced there’s little to be enthusiastic about. The Brotherhood is tricky and their reach runs far. Not depleting their power when they were weak was the single greatest mistake of my very long existence, although in my defense, I was busy chasing a woman.

I’m preoccupied with one now.

Utterly intoxicated with her.

She consumes my every waking thought, and I want her in too many ways to count. We’re only beginning to explore our connection, and yesterday was the start of Ivy exploring our bond in my world.

Footsteps whisper down the corridor, and Matt’s stride is instantly recognizable. There’s a second beat with it, slightlyfaster and less certain, and Ryan and I brace for the priest’s arrival.

“Lord,” Matt says, dipping his head as he enters.

We’re on formal protocol then.

Matt’s telling us he hates the asshole he’s showing in and he thinks he’s a threat. A significant one.

“Henry,” the priest says, pulling back his cowl.

It’s not the same priest.

This one is high-ranking. Very high-ranking. His face is marked with tattoos of orders most have forgotten and the lines of his face cut deeper than most. He’s battle-scarred, tried and tested, and it’s strange we haven’t met.

“You have me at a disadvantage,” I say, rising and dipping my head ever so slightly. Just enough to show a modicum of respect. “We were expecting the assigned priest.”

The priest’s jaw ticks. “He won’t be bothering you anymore.” His teeth grind slightly. “He won’t be bothering anyone anymore.” He offers me his hand and I notice the ring. The fucking high ring containing the bloodstone. “Emmanuel.”

I shake it and we meet, both refusing to concede status.

Ryan’s eyebrow barely moves but I notice it as he offers the priest a seat. He’s newly anointed in the seat of power, relatively speaking. I haven't met the new Deacon and I've spent the last century making excuses. Now I'm face to face with him, I'm almost disappointed.

He isn't as fearsome as the last one, but I wonder if that's what makes him so effective. He's fucking cunning and you underestimate him at your peril, and I'm not going to fall for it.

“The Brotherhood does not apologize,” he says, slowly. “But I fear some of us may have taken unfortunate actions that inconvenienced you.”

That's an understatement and the cunt owes my wife a goddamn apology. She'll be getting it from him too, preferably sooner rather than later.

“Rowan has led some of our less experienced priests astray.” His fingers tap the arm of his chair. “I think you're aware he's been moving against you.”

I sigh, exasperated. “I was aware of it before he almost killed my wife.” I tap my foot and stare at Ryan. “With the help of your fucking priest.”

Emmanuel has the decency to pause, but he's nowhere near close to giving me what I want. “As I said, the Brotherhood does not apologize, Henry. Especially over minor inconveniences caused by a few rogue priests.”

It's Ryan who growls, and only now do I recognize how close he's grown to Ivy. He's not a threat, but her blood did more than save his life, and whatever's passed between them is more than words will ever say. More than I understand, but I don’t have the time to pay attention to Ryan’s bond with Ivy.

Not when the man who leads the Brotherhood admitted their involvement in attacking her.

“Interesting,” the deacon says. “Your second is unusually attached to her, and you are unusually unperturbed. For a mate.”

“A mate your rogue priests almost took from me,” I hiss. “I demand what is mine by right, Deacon. What I am owed.”

He doesn't flinch.

I'm impressed.

---