Page 84 of Cursed Heirs

“Even my dad wasn’t aware of its location,” I told him.

Saryan nodded. “When it comes to celestial objects present here on earth, there’s an agreement among us most powerful beings and those in positions of influence that only two of us can know of the location of each.”

“A protective protocol,” Orpheus commented.

“Precisely, son.” He looked at me. “I assume, given your upbringing and your father’s thorough tutelage, that you’re aware of what the Orb can bring forth?”

“SomethingIwould have also been aware of if you hadn’t sealed it in secrecy,” Orpheus said.

Saryan eyed him. “You feel you could have protected it if you’d known?”

“Highly likely.”

“No. It would have made you a target. What befell me would have also befallen you and I—argh.”He grimaced and staggered, slapping his hand to the wall to steady himself.

“Father, what is it?” Orpheus cried, rushing to him and supporting his weight.

I joined him, assisting with my strength to hold him up, his weakening body becoming dead weight.

“You need to rest longer. It’s only been a few hours. Let’s get you back to bed,” Orpheus said.

“In the home of Abigail Rose? I think not. Waking up here once, earlier, was more than enough.”

“She’s rarely even here, just to pop in every now and then,” I told him.

“He’s right. And beggars can’t be choosers, Father. You need rest and if you don’t take it, I’ll make it so.”

Their eyes locked, two hardcore alphas doing battle silently.

To my utter surprise, Saryan smirked—a smirk that Orpheus had absolutely inherited. “As you wish.”

“Good.” He turned to me. “I’ll settle him upstairs. Keep an eye on Tal.”

“You’ve got it.”

With that, Orpheus teleported Saryan back to one of the spare rooms.

17

~Orpheus~

We rematerialized in one of the spare rooms that Abigail had deposited my father in earlier. I hadn’t known which one he was in, because I’d lost consciousness on the flight out of the Dark Fae Realm, Alena’s magic having taken its toll. But I’d used my ability to sense his magic to locate him once I’d woken up. He’d been out cold when I’d looked in on him before heading down to talk to the boys.

Or so it had seemed.

As we pulled apart, I shook my head at him. “That was a ruse. You’re not weakened.”

“Not anymore, no. How did you know?”

I rolled my eyes. “Because I knowyou.But why did you resist when I said you needed to come up here and rest?”

“To make it believable. It’s well known that I don’t take orders well, and that I abhor showing weakness. If I’d instantly given in, it would have raised suspicion.”

“All right, so why the subterfuge in front of Xavier?”

“It cannot get out that Constantine took your blood. No one can know.”

“What? How do you—”

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