Page 117 of Gift from the Nexus

“I’ve reinforced it, but I don’t know how much longer it’s going to hold if he or whoever keeps pounding at it. You need to tell Codi if you feel any changes at all,” Aria scolds him, and he gives a sheepish nod.

I don’t think he was purposely keeping it from anyone. I think he’s just used to being alone and not having anyone he can trust. Or he’s just used to the thought of death that it doesn’t even faze him anymore.

“So there’s a possibility Franklin’s is down completely,” Willow states.

“Yeah,” Aria agrees begrudgingly.

We need to get this over with before his heart falls out.

“Well, he’s still alive, so that means that the Summum-Master doesn’t want him dead yet, or he isn’t willing to kill him. Ry, Lyker, the two of you can join us inside the interrogation room. The rest of you, I think it’s best for you to stay here for now.He’s less likely to talk with an army of us in there. You ready, princess?” I ask, pulling her in for a hug. She’s even more nervous now, understandably, but she needs her wits about her before coming face to face with that pathetic monster.

“Yeah.”

Fuck, that wasn’t convincing.

Eighteen

Willow

Ugh, I could throw up.

When I first felt Corentin’s anger, I thought maybe Lucas rejected the job, but that didn’t make sense. He would’ve been more disappointed than angry, so I knew something else had set him off. I wasn’t expecting it to be Franklin’s ass basically summoning me.

Now I’m a ball of emotions that are more unfavorable than not. Firstly, I’m incredibly annoyed that he’s resorted to actinglike a maniac to get me here for whatever reason. I know it’s not a good one. Why else would he pitch a fit until I came? Secondly, that’s what has my stomach in knots. He’s about to drop more unnerving news on me, and my little peaceful, no drama bubble is about to pop.

Another part of me feels like we’re walking into a trap. Codi says he’s been at this for three days now, and they’ve been ignoring him. The only reason he called Corentin and Tillman today was his slurs and threats against me were getting more enraged, viler, and he felt like it was time to inform us.

Codi and a few other E.F. members who are here are going to get him and move him into the interrogation room now. Honestly, I hope he trips walking up the stairs and knocks himself out so I can put this off. I know I made the decision to come here right away. I’d fixate on it if I didn’t, and I’d get no mental peace whatsoever just sitting around thinking about what it is he wants to see me for, but still. I hate being in the same room as that monster.

“Does he know you’re here?” I ask Trex.

“I’m not sure. I’ve made it a point not to go anywhere near his cell. My brothers are still alive, so the Summum-Master knows I am as well, but I don’t know if he’s put it together Franklin and I are at the same place,” he says.

I have a million other things I’d like to ask him, but I’m not sure if the nose bleeds and the war between Aria’s rune and the Summum-Master’s is going to cause him any lasting damage, so I force myself to bite my tongue. He and Layton are two perfect examples of why we need to get Keeper out of the forest safely. They deserve to be free of these unwanted ties, and they both have a plethora of information locked away that will help us.

“He’s much more composed now that he knows you’re here. He didn’t fight us one bit when we told him to come on,” Codi announces when he walks back in.

Lovely. That definitely means bad news.

“Great,” I say, standing from the kitchen table, returning Trex’s small smile.

With a firm nod from Oakly and Aria, both lending me their silent support, my guys, Ry, and Lyker surround me as we walk down the hall.

Their emotions are palpable in my chest. Thudding along intensely right beside my own. My guys, as always, are unforgiving in their anger. They’re just as mad, if not madder, than I am at everything about this situation.

Franklin’s loathing paired with eagerness hits me square in the heart as soon as we approach the interrogation room door. That combo to me smells of something horrid. He has no reason to be eager.

“Took you long enough,” he grumbles disapprovingly as soon as I walk in nestled between the six massive men accompanying me.

“Took me long enough,” I mimic, taking my seat across from him. Trying to put on a bored, carefree persona that belies my beating heart and racing thoughts. “You’re in no position to summon me or demand my company, Franklin. You should be happy I even bothered wasting my time coming to see why you’re acting like a rabid animal.”

I won’t lie and say I don’t get satisfaction from the enraged look on his face. He may be one of my biggest nightmares, but I know what makes him tick too. Undermining him and his behaviors is right at the top of the list.

“These fools for men have allowed you far too much power. It’s obvious you’re better at something than your worthless mother was.”

My arm shoots out and my hand splays across Lyker’s chest, asking him not to attack. If he wanted to move me out of his way,he could, but he looks over at me and nods as he rights himself in his seat.

Draken, Tillman, and Ry are standing right behind me, while Caspian is in the corner with his shadows swirling around him. Corentin and Lyker took the seats around me, and I assume this was some sort of strategic arrangement they made, or maybe the guys needed some distance between them and Franklin so they wouldn’t attack like Lyker just tried to.

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