Page 69 of A Sea of Secrets
“What?” Jeremiah leaned over the desk and sneered. “We’ve been over this, Miss Auger, and I grow tired of your pathetic outrage and heroism. How about instead of another threat, a truth instead? Tell me, would you be so willing to die for a friend who’d betrayed you? I only ask because you have a rat in that cosy little love shack of yours.”
I stared him down, but the fucker didn’t flinch. My heart sank. No, he actually believed what he was saying. But that couldn’t be right… they wouldn’t betray me. Not after everything we’d been through.
“You’re lying,” I said weakly.
He smiled again, oily and victorious. “Don’t believe me? See for yourself.”
He tapped a few buttons on his cuff, allowing it to project a video onto the wall beside me. My gut churned as Zane stepped into an office—this office, I quickly realised—his head bowed and his hands shaky, as if fearful of what or whom he might find. Then the last person I’d expected to ever share the same breath with Zane walked into the room. My stomach did a somersault. Victrus, impeccably dressed as always, his bronze eyes sharp, motioned for Zane to take a seat.
The video lacked audio, but the conversation appeared animated, at least on Zane’s side. My father, on the other hand, sat like a statue the whole time, a slight smile curving on his lips. Gods, I hated that smile. Hated the way it instantly made me feel like a dog cowering before its master. Hated how a simple lookcould make me wilt. Victrus said something, and Zane instantly stilled, giving my father his undivided attention.
I couldn’t make out any words between them, but whatever they were discussing was clearly important. When they were finished, Victrus rose in one fluid motion and, to my surprise, held out a hand.
Zane took it. He fucking took it.
Bile rose in my throat as realisation set in because that action alone was beyond damning. Zane was working with my father. Why else would they meet? A million thoughts raced through my head, all of them making me more nauseous than the last. Had he been playing me this whole time? Was he spying on me and reporting to my father? And, more heartbreakingly so… was any of what we’d shared real? Tears filled my eyes as I sank back into my seat. I had opened myself to this man. Had let him break down my walls to make space for something better. Something whole.
“You put your faith into others, and this is what you get in return,” Jeremiah said as he flicked the video off. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his. He shook his head, the picture of remorse. “Those boys can’t be trusted, Fallon. Perhaps one of them killed your sister. We both know they have motive. Your family are the only ones you can trust. Only your family. Only House Jupiter. With you at the helm, the crowned ruler of this kingdom, there is nothing you won’t be able to do. Nothing you will want for. Work with me—with us—and you can have everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Your siblings will be safe. Even your friends will be cared for.”
I took a moment to take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand. Jeremiah was a Mind Master. Cheap tricks and low blows like this must be part of his nature. But this went beyond my feelings for Zane. Others were relying on me. And I refused to revert to the person I was for the sake of a broken heart.
Gods, it would be so easy to accept such a dreamy offer. But that’s all it was. A smokescreen to cover up the harsh reality of what this future really looked like. I would be my parents’ plaything and little more than a figurehead. Victrus would ensure I was otherwise kept under lock and key, only let out to enforce his demands. And my friends? They’d probably end up in a ditch somewhere as a warning.
I looked Jeremiah square in the eyes. “Is this the same deal you offered Victoria? That didn’t exactly work out for her in the end, did it.”
His jaw ticked, his eyes forming sharp slits. The snake made its appearance. “This is a good deal, Fallon. You’d be wise to take it.”
I tilted my head. “And if I don’t?”
“We both know what happens next.”
“Just tell me one thing and give me a clear answer. How did you know we were onto you? You got away with all those murders for this long, after all.”
Jeremiah raised a brow. “As far as I’m aware, your boyfriend from the Verdant Plateau is the only Potential here with the adaptation of invisibility. My camera”—he pointed to a lens hiding within a sculpture on the opposite wall—“caught some of my things moving around the other day. It wasn’t hard to guess what you and your friends have been up to.”
I smiled. “Like you said earlier, I may have no proof, but neither do you. Nothing will hold up in a court, and if anything happens to me, you’ll have no hope of getting to them.”
He laughed. “I think you underestimate your dogs’ feelings for you, Miss Auger. I have no doubt they’d tear this world apart if I stole you away. If I left a mark on that pretty face of yours, they’d do anything to save their precious angel from on high.”
Deep down, I knew he was right. Noah would try to talk the others down if only to make a real game plan, but Ace andKayden? There’d be no stopping them. And Zane… My heart wilted. I didn’t know what I was to him anymore. I’d thought I knew pain, but his betrayal was a whole other world of hurt that had ripped my insides apart.
There was no-gods-damn-winning. If I agreed to Jeremiah’s so-called deal, I’d be trapped forever, and my friends would likely be tortured or worse. And if I refused him, he’d find a way to hurt us all. We could run, but what kind of life would that be? Besides, I could never leave my siblings to rot in my parent’s care.
No, there was only one way this could go.
I clasped my hands together on the table. “I suppose we’re at a stalemate, then. Because I’ll never be my parent’s puppet, Jeremiah. I will never let anyone control me again. And more importantly? I willneverforgive you for the things you’ve done.”
His face darkened for a split second, but his lips eased into a smile. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.” He rose, then stepped towards me, his hands behind his back. “But honestly? I was kind of hoping you’d say that.” He lunged, the flash of silver from his letter opener coming perilously close to my chest.
My heart thumped erratically as adrenaline rushed through my veins and the world seemed to slow. A few more inches were all he needed, but as that small blade drove towards its target, the air rippled, the letter opener coming to a stop.
Jeremiah’s sneer wobbled, his brows drawing together as he tried and failed to thrust his weapon home. I crossed my legs and smiled, truly delighted, as I willed the weapon to turn on its owner. Inch by inch the blade wiggled in his hand until it began to turn towards him.
He gritted his teeth, his forehead wrinkling as he fought against my telekinesis. “Your power… but how?”
I rose, stepping towards Jeremiah with a wolf’s grin on my face. “Did you really think I’d face you while powerless? Myboyfriends ripped that chip out of my arm, so I’d be prepared for anything. So, I’d be ready for you.”
His eyes followed me as I circled him, round and round, his eyes bulging as the first trickle of sweat slid down his face.
