Page 107 of Demise

“Uh, huh,” she says, her eyes raking over me in suspicion. “Well, we simply must get to know one another better, maybe not on a night where all eyes are on me and my family. Lots of schmoozing to do, as you can imagine,” she titters, and I struggle to find it in me to laugh along with her.

This night is about her? Her family? Not just Liam? I don’t know how she could be so delusional, or maybe she has her head in the sand but honestly, joining the Elders isn’t the honor everyone thinks it is. It’s more like officially sealing your fate. Guaranteeing you will serve the Brethren until your dying breath. Sounds like an even more need for mourning than a celebration, personally.

“Let’s do brunch, tomorrow? At the country club. I’ll tell them to have our table ready by noon,” she says as she floats away, drifting in and out of each conversation she comes by before settling in with a flock of mother hens. Or at least that’s what I call the gossiping group of mothers in the corner. Their eyes roam over each person slowly, methodically, with nothing but pure judgement in their eyes.

A few more minutes go by before I see some Elder men begin to file into the room. My father and Christopher are two of the last to enter. They both make eye contact with me and nod, my father going so far as to smile. At me. I don’t know why, and honestly, I don’t care. The sight alone is unnerving.

My eyes continue scanning the room in search of the guys, but I come up empty.

“They’ll be here soon. Relax,” Wesley says to me softly.

I don’t make eye contact with him, unsure of who could potentially be watching us right now.

“I’m trying. It’s hard to relax when you don’t know what’s happening.”

Wesley nods as he lifts his drink to his mouth.

“They’ll be fine.”

“Why didn’t you have to go?” I ask.

“Hm?”

“Tonight. Or the night of Asher’s ceremony. You’re an Elder, technically, right?”

Wesley shrugs. “My father holds the Elder seat for the family.”

My brows knit together. “Right, but Ronan still has to go despite Christopher holding his seat. He goes to every gathering and ceremony. So, why don’t you have to?”

He pauses for several moments, his tongue running along his lower lip before he finally speaks.

“Christopher and I have an understanding.”

My face screws up at that as I look at him.

“An understanding? What could—”

“Drop it, Sky,” he says quickly. “Please,” he tacks on, softer this time.

Begrudgingly, I nod, not because I intend on dropping it, but because it’s not the time or place.

Relief swells my chest as Liam, Asher, and Ronan all walk in together. That relief shrivels up and dies when I see the look in Liam’s eyes. His face is all smiles, bright and infectious as ever, but those eyes. His sweet green eyes, that make anyone feel like the most important person in the room, are dull, lifeless, practically black.

I cross the room before I can talk myself out of it, forcing myself to hug Asher first when all I really want to do is cradle Liam gently and ask what I can do.

Asher accepts me happily, holding onto me for several seconds longer than anticipated before he whispers into my ear.

“He needs you.”

I nod against Asher’s shoulder, smiling to Liam as I put on a show for the people around us.

“Congratulations!” I grin, pulling him in tight. “Are you okay, baby?” I whisper into his ear.

He shakes his head as he pulls away, that same smile on his face, but the pain in his eyes has nearly doubled.

“Thank you.” He smiles. “Enjoy the party,” he says as he begins making his rounds, much like his mother.

Asher and Ronan hang back with me as we all keep our eyes on Liam.

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