Page 9 of Fallen Heirs

No, he couldn’t have. He wouldn’t be keeping his reaction tothatlocked down. He’d no doubt be up in arms about it. In fact, his reaction would be incredibly dangerous.

To the woman I loved.

“No,” I answered. “Nothing concerning you, Father.”

He frowned for a moment, watching me intently.

And then he shoved his hands into the pockets of his blazer and told me, “Tell me you’re not fool enough to believe you were actually able to talk her down?”

“Father—”

“Possessing so much power and being treated like you don’t… it’s a hard pill to swallow. It was for you when you started to come into your power as a child, yet you were too young to put it to work. It was a trying time for us both.”

“I remember. I was physically ready, yet not mentally or emotionally.”

“As you believe is Alena’s case currently.”

“I know it is.”

“Son, be careful. There’s a fine line between desiring to protect those you love and infringing upon their own freedoms and decisions.”

“And I’m trying to walk that line. But it’s not easy.Shedoesn’t make it easy.”

“When you love someone and you see them hurting and when they’ve been hurt as severely and as despicably as she was, it’s far from easy. And that’s the worst thing for you right now.”

“What are you saying? The worst thing?”

“You’ve been through a lot also. You’ve taken on a lot. And you’re on the verge of taking on more. Trying to prevent a Nephilim from going off the rails, leading your foursome through all the tragedy that has befallen them lately, almost losing me, then Abigail tapping you for a seat at the table ofExemplar.You haven’t so much as slowed down even a little inbetween. I know you’re strong, son. I know you can bear a great deal of pressure. But no one is invulnerable.”

“What do you suggest I do?”

“Come home.”

I started. “Excuse me?”

“Come home with me. Recuperate. Take some time. Clear your head.”

“I can’t just abandon them. They need me.”

“And you need me.”

I shoved my hand through my hair. “Alena’s mother just died. Talon witnessed it too, right in front of him, it’s bringing up issues of his parents. Xavier’s just had his magic returned to him but it came at a price of so much guilt when Constantine took control of him. It doesn’t matter whatIneed at the moment.”

“It should. And it needs to, Orpheus.”

“I can’t… I need to get back out there. Come on.” I turned to go, but his next words pulled me up short.

“Do they know yet? Do they know about your current status at Electi Academy?”

“Marlowe got word, I take it?”

“He did.”

“Things will die down.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Then I’ll deal with it.”

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