Page 83 of The Court of Truth

“Heard them, or created them?”

His eyes widen as he moves to stand in front of the roaring fire. “Why ever would you say that?”

“Why ever would I not?” I retort, leaning forward to brace my elbows on my knees.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Son. Do you want a drink?” His attempt to step away from the subject he brought up is poor, but I go along with him.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” He busies himself pouring me a glass of neat bourbon before placing it on the table beside me instead of in my hand. I smirk at him, but before I can speak, he gulps down his own drink and sets his sights on me again.

“Why are you here, Raiden?” He scurries back to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself another. He’s as erratic as ever, but a part of me wonders if it’s always been some kind of guise.

“I’m here because I’ve come across an issue. One that leads me right back to you.” The words are heavy in the air and it takes him a moment to meet my gaze.

“Are you sure? I’m not aware of any kind of issues that would lead you here,” he insists.

“You wouldn’t be, but I think that’s because you underestimated me. You always have. It’s somewhat amusing, but I guess I’ve always underestimated you too. You can stop with the slight hand trembling now, I know you’re not shaking.” His hands pause, the ghost of a grin at his lips disappearing just as quickly as it came.

“Raiden, I?—”

“Today I had the pleasure of learning that frenzied vampires are controlled by dark magic. Not just any dark magic, either: blood magic. I also got to witness a strong and courageous fae take down a whole fucking gathering of them with just her mind alone, but my celebrations over the latter are tainted by the facts as they pertain to the former. And that’s exactly what brings me here.”

“Dark magic? I didn’t even know there was such a thing,” he states, filling his glass up twice as high as the last before he takes a seat in the chair beside mine.

His skittish tendencies, and he seems intent on trying to put me at ease with his presence. It’s foolish to think I’ve ever been at ease near him.

Running my finger over the rim of my glass on the small table between us, I smile. “Not only did I learn about the possibilities of dark blood magic, I also learned the location of the missing key we’ve been searching for. I know who the frenzied vampires are connected to. It’s fantastic news for the kingdom. We’re going to be able to live a more peaceful life now that they won’t be with us much longer,” I explain, his eyes watching my mouth form every word.

The tic of his jaw is obnoxious as he sweeps his tongue over his bottom lip before gulping down more of his bourbon.

“It wasn’t your mother?”

“I wish. They would have all dropped like flies the moment I killed her,” I muse, watching his grip tighten around the glass in his hand.

“Raiden, you wouldn’t wander in here and pretend to have harmed your mother, would you? That’s a tasteless lie to your father, admitting her blood stained your hands. I loved that woman fiercely. I?—”

“Please do shut the fuck up,” I grumble with a sigh, lifting the glass from the table and watching the liquor inside swirl. “Ours was never a family forged from love. Not a single ounce of it. If anything, you’re grateful she’s no longer in your way.”

“In my way?” The confusion is painfully inaccurate in his tone.

“She always was the stronger one.”

His nostrils flare as he downs the rest of his glass. “How dare you say such spineless things to me?”

“How dare youdosuch spineless things to me?”

He bolts to his feet, pacing in front of me as he wipes his hand down his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Raiden, but I don’t care to hear anymore of it. I want you to leave.”

“Oh, please, don’t rush me out the door. I won’t be here for much longer anyway. It’s almost time.” I grin, eyes narrowing as I leer at my father.

“Time for what?” He snaps, fixing the blazer of his expensive gray suit, and I wag my finger.

“Ah, ah, ah. I don’t think you’ve earned the right to know the answer just yet,” I tease, watching the anger flourish across his face. “Maybe if you tell me why, then I might give you a snippet of information.”

“Why what?” he growls, his hand slamming against his chest as he rubs vigorously at the spot.

Standing, drink in hand, I come toe to toe with my father. “Why is the blood connected to the frenzied vampires mine?”

Silence.

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