Page 24 of Omission

Her sacrifice won’t be in vain, even if it makes me want to throttle her.

Since we were young, she’s carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, always taking on the role of protector and guide. Being a seer shaped that narrative, more so when it comes to us, her family. Our pain is unacceptable to her, but what she fails to realize is we feel the same.

Her hurt is ours. Our bond as siblings allows it to be no other way.

“Do you think Silla is with her,” Gabriella asks while her mate flips through Isa’s notes, trying to find something we might’ve missed. He left yesterday for Seattle and came back today with the Stygian blade, the same one Isabella explained needs to be delivered to the underworld. “That she’s involved?”

“To be honest, I don’t know.” A truth, I’ve had no choice but to confront. Signs point to this not being a coincidence, the wording in Larue’s threat being one of them. The limited knowledge my prisoner back home had, wasn’t much to go on, but he did confirm that a powerful witch needed escorting home. “Right now it can go either way.”

“Talk,” I say, grabbing one of the chairs they’d been using and turning it around. I’m seated in his direct line of sight after kicking over the still-bleeding-out body of his kin. Flavio’s body is still warm. “I’m listening.”

Angelo wets his lips and swallows hard, pleading with his eyes for me to give him and second or two to compose himself, which I grant. A nod is all I give, but he understands and wipes a hand down his face, wincing a bit as it catches the crusted blood and tugs it off, reopening the natural seal the sanguine drops created. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure you believe you are.” Not going to sugarcoat it for him. He came here of his own free will and agreed to whatever plan they’d concocted. This remorse comes from getting caught and nothing else.

“It was never supposed to end this way. Just a clean job.” He exhales roughly as tears form in his eyes, but I’m not moved. I’m annoyed.

“You will not get sympathy from me. Get to the point before I lose my last strand of patience.” It was a command from his king, one enforced by the magic we’re bound by. Its effect is instantaneous; he bows his head while his lips begin to move.

“Flavio knew the full details. I was asked to accompany him and help, that we were here so a scared witch could have safe passage home. That she was strong—special—but would not leave otherwise and we’d be saving lives.”

“That’s it? You walked in blind otherwise?”

“Yes, your Highness.” Angelo’s tears fall then, his stare full of anguish as it moves over to his cousin. “That’s what the fae woman and he led me to believe. I was stupid, know better, but I’d been under the influence of sex and mushrooms at the time—I believed it was an easy job with good perks. I’d get another taste of her cunt and more money than I’ve ever seen.”

“Who financed this? Pay the two of you.”

“King Larue.”

“An enemy to my crown.” Not a question and his entire body once again bends toward the ground. Head pressed to it. “I want the woman’s name, Angelo. Who is she?”

“Flavio introduced her as Brice’s sister, but no direct name.”

“So you do have some doubts?”

I nod, rubbing the short beard there. Haven’t shaved in days. “More than one, to be honest, but I can’t focus on that right now. Nor why the name Brice infuriates me the way it does.”

I know no man with that name.

At that, Gabby looks up from her position over the map with a raised, sharp brow. “I detect jealousy in your tone, brother.”

Ignoring her jab, I push all thoughts of what my prisoner said to the back of my mind for now. The focus here is Isabella and Silla, and so far the information the old warlock gave was useless, something everyone in this room concurs with.

I’d told them of the deception after our greeting out on the tarmac and they agreed, I’d keep Angelo alive for now. He still may be of some use, at the least to identify the female and whoever Brice is.

“Isa didn’t mention Silla, but that doesn’t mean anything. The timing is just too convenient.”

She knows I’m deflecting and narrows her eyes. “Our sister didn’t mention anyone and you know the why, Leo.”

“Because she’s stubborn?” At that comment, Gabby snorts and rolls her eyes before reaching over for a monogrammed pen with the alpha king’s name on it. It’s in the colors of his crest; dark green while the gold lettering stands out. He’s given us free use of anything inside his home and on these lands but is choosing to remain outdoors.

Between him and Tero, they’re combing the area in search of a grimoire belonging to our father.

Another piece of the puzzle she’ll reveal when it’s time.

“We both know Isa will never reveal anything until it’s the right time. She’s selfless and reckless and—

I blocked your gift once.

---