Page 136 of Firestorm
Rafe caught my eye.You’re safe with me, Wyatt.
I knew that. I knew that, and still–
Alright, no more talking.Rafe said.You’re up, make it Oscar-worthy.
You fucker,I snarled back just as he cut off our link.
And none other than Lucille and Harper Brandt looked at us from where they sat inside a canvas tent, one side open to allow airflow. Lucille sat in a nice armchair that definitely didn’t belong outside while Harper was in a regular camping chair beside her.
“Who have you brought to meet us, Reggie?” Lucille asked, not attempting to sound nice or sweet at all. Without knowing who eitherof us were, her mask was completely lowered, showing us the insufferable cunt that hid behind her cakey makeup and spidery eyelashes.
“Definitely one telepath. They both do something pretty rare, but I can’t tell entirely.” Reggie said, sending us a wary look.
I stiffened. Rafe remained calm and collected beside me.
So Reggie was…a half-ass Sensor.
Mother. Fucker.
“Reggie, I’m disappointed. You really can’t see the extent of their affinities?” Lucille asked, her lips twisting into a sour expression.
“No, I…they’re powerful, but I’ve never sensed these affinities before–”
Lucille sighed deeply.
“He won’t be happy with that,” she said airily. Reggie gulped, and then Lucille turned her raccoon eyes on me and Rafe.
“Rafe,” she purred. “I mean…His Royal Highness, the Prince Rafael.” She smirked. “Whatever are you doing here?”
Rafe pulled his face mask off. “I should ask you the same thing, Brandt.”
All color drained from Reggie’s face. He stumbled back a step, but I took a step back too, staying in line with him while my hand went to my waist, where I had a dagger waiting.
I had no idea what the fuck the plan was. Rafe was always getting me into deep shit, but he’d always gotten me out of the consequences afterward. Reggie locked eyes with me and gulped.
“Just meeting a few friends,” Lucille said evenly. “And you?”
“Just wondering what the fuck my father is up to,” Rafe said lightly. “Hello again, Harper. Blink twice if you need help.”
Harper actually blinked twice, then cleared her throat as Lucille sent her a glare. “Hello, y-your Royal Highness.”
“Hi,” Rafe said, flashing her a smile that was all teeth. “What’s all this about, Lucille? Why is my father hanging out with anti-monarchists?”
“Oh, Rafael,” Lucille said with a heavy sigh. “This isn’t about the monarchy. It’s much bigger than that.”
“My father is many things, Lucille, but he does not worship false idols.” Rafe said, his jaw clenching slightly. The Crown Princess hadbeen looking for reasons to get rid of Alejandro for years. Treason was the perfect crime. I wondered if we’d be off to the Palace after this to alert Rafe’s mother of Alejandro’s treachery.
“Good thing there’s nothing of the sort here,” Lucille replied. “Your father is only spending time with an old friend. Alex is the president of the WAA, and the Crusader is bringing his cause here.”
Rafe looked bored. “What else, Lulu?”
Lucille bristled at the nickname. “Well, if you hadn’t disappeared with your mother at the gala–”
“Ah,” Rafe cut her off with a glare. “Mymother?”
I almost fucking laughed. I secretly enjoyed when my friend was an ass about formal titles.
Lucille clenched her jaw. “If you hadn’t disappeared withHer Grace, theCrown Princess, you’d have met the Crusader. He’s been looking forward to meeting you, specifically, for weeks.”
