Page 87 of Secrets and Ruin

“Accurate enough. Zuri went and had a child without saying anything to us, hiding the entire pregnancy. Mother didn’t even tell him, but he’s more willing to forgive our mother. Davor and Niko were keeping secrets that are still very raw.” He gestured around.

“Yeah, more Niko’s secrets and Davor was trying to be a loyal brother, but that won’t change anything, will it?”

“Probably not. He’s losing control. We’re supposed to be getting Dirk and Landon right now, but I wanted to say a little more to you before we go face the family.”

“I’m listening. Do we want to take this into the room?”

“No. Our families are the only ones in this hall. Rather, those of us loyal to helping you are staying in this hall. Those who are more inclined to agree with Father are staying in the same hall as him.”

We’re divided into factions now?

“Okay, then. Wow.” I closed my eyes for a second, pinching the bridge of my nose. “What did you want to say?”

“That no matter what happens today, you are my sister,” he said, pulling my hand down gently, but I knew if I fought him or tried to pull away, I would lose. “Look at me, Jacky.”

I peered up, wondering what was wrong.

“I will pick you over him,” he said once he knew he had my attention.

I didn’t understand the intensity and didn’t like how uncomfortable it made me, but I wasn’t sure if it was what he was saying or how he was saying it. I only nodded, trying to end it as quickly as possible.

“Thanks,” I said as he released my wrist.

“I needed you to hear that. Go knock on their door. I don’t want to be attacked the moment it opens.”

“Dirk and Landon wouldn’t,” I said, walking quickly to that door. I knocked, looking at Jabari. “They’re good men. Landon is respectful—”

“He promised to gut me when I shoved him in there last night. I don’t want to hurt him, but I don’t know if I could avoid it if he launches himself at me the moment he sees me.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have shoved him,” I said, shrugging.

The door swung open to Landon standing there, his eyes fully werewolf, his nostrils flaring in agitation.

“Time for breakfast,” I said, remaining calm even though he wasn’t. I looked around him. “Dirk, time for breakfast!”

“Coming!” Dirk called from beyond the little entry hall of their bedroom.

I took two steps back to the other side of the hall as Landon came out, holding the door open for Dirk. I saw the moment he realized Jabari was there.

“I’m your guide to the grand dining hall,” my eldest brother said, the epitome of a lazy, unthreatened cat met with a snarling dog. Landon didn’t bother him at all this morning, probably because he had the chance to prepare for the aggressive nature Landon often embodied when around Jabari.

“I can sniff it out,” Landon muttered, shaking his head. “Jacky—”

“Just. Be nice for me. He’s on our side, and he’s not that bad.”

“She’s right,” Dirk said as he strolled out, waving a hand at Jabari. “I was telling you earlier that today is going to be a mess.”

“You were about to answer my question when she knocked.” Landon turned to Dirk, and the hostility faded into something more neutral.

“I haven’t seen Hasan yet, no.”

“He knows Dirk is a werewolf. He hasn’t spoken to anyone except to give orders and hear updates,” Jabari explained from his place ten feet down the hall. “Everything that’s been said has gone through others. The only person he’s spoken with privately was King Brion about the Black Forest and what they were going to do about it.”

“Not even Subira?” I asked, thrown off.

“Mother has been wandering, keeping to herself. This is an…intensely magical place, and Niko gave her leave to explore his estate thoroughly. King Brion said she could go up to ten miles from the estate but that the risk was her own to take. For all I know, she spent the night sleeping out there to understand it better.”

“Zuri said she was acting weird.”

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