Page 55 of Devil May Hunt
“I know who he is.”
“Yes, of course. The thing is, his majesty has recently been made aware ofhowit is you came to bear that title. He’s enraged that his grandson would abuse his power in such a way and has ordered the pharmaceutical company behind the drug to deliver the antidote. I have it here.” Salz reached into his briefcase and pulled a small velvet box from within, but he didn’t hand it over.
Brennon’s eyes narrowed on the box. “Let me guess, he wants something in return for this supposed generosity?”
He’d known there was an antidote, Gunho had all but admitted as much. But neither of them had talked about it since that first time. It was obvious there was no way the alpha was going to give it to him, at least, not any time soon. Not until he was secure in knowing Brennon wouldn’t leave him.
Brennon had figured that much out on his own, but this was a curveball he hadn’t seen coming.
“All he asks in return is for you to leave his grandson, and agree to testify against him in a court of law. You wouldn’t even need to leave your planet for that. We can record you testifyingfirst, and then if the courts ask for your presence, we’ll set up a live feed and have you attend remotely.”
“Testify against him for what?” His grandfather was trying to get Gunho arrested? Damn. And he thought his family was messed up.
Salz gave him a look like he thought he was crazy for not knowing the answer himself. “This drug he used on you is illegal. It’s yet to be approved by the board and hasn’t even completed all of its testing stages. What he did was against several laws, and not just Glyphian and Vital ones. It’s precisely for cases like yours, Mr. Cree, that it hasn’t been legalized. Look at the damage it can do when placed in the wrong hands?
“It’s horrible what’s been done to you. Unforgivable. No one should be forced into becoming someone’s mate. The Intergalactic Conference will see to it that justice is served. There’s no need to fear retaliation. I’ve brought several of the Imperial Guard with me. They’re prepared to arrest him as soon as I give word you’re safe.”
Brennon had resigned himself to his fate, but now…Salz was saying the Emperor of Glyph was prepared to return his life to him. They’d undo the awful heats, and take Gunho away. He’d be locked up in a highly secure prison, especially if the Intergalactic Conference really got involved.
They’d never see each other again.
It should have been what he wanted, and he could see why Salz was so certain he’d go along with the plan. A couple of weeks ago, he probably would have even considered it. But that was then.
This was now.
Yeah, maybe they’d started off terribly and he’d been forced into all of this. Maybe he’d just gotten used to it, or was experiencing some type of Stockholm syndrome. Brennon didn’t care. All he cared about was how he felt when he thought aboutgoing back to that monotonous day-to-day lifestyle he’d been living before meeting the alpha.
Terrible.
In the months he’d been with Gunho, Brennon had experienced more tenderness and acceptance than he had his entire life. He felt heard and wanted. Appreciated and cared for. It felt good giving back, as well. Just this morning, he’d been the first to send a good morning text, beating out the alpha.
Whatever this was between them, it was growing and evolving at a rapid pace, and Brennon was far too curious to see where it was going, to discover what they could become, to give up on them. Especially now for some asshole who didn’t even have the decency to come himself.
Who gave a shit who Hangyeol Idris was?
“I’m Vital,” Brennon stated calmly. “Go back and tell your majesty that he’s no emperor of mine.”
Salz sputtered, clearly struggling with how to respond.
“Also, you can pass on that you’re all mistaken. Gunho didn’t force me into anything. I agreed to be his Royal Consort. I’ll agree right now, on record, if you’d like. If he’s planning on making false claims against me or my alpha, warn him that I’m prepared to fight back, and I have the backing of the Imperial family of Vitality. Don’t I?” he called out that last part to Rin, who was still waiting at the top of the stairs with Calder.
“That’s correct,” Rin agreed without hesitation, and Salz spun on his heels to glare at him.
“And just who might you be?” the man asked.
“Royal Consort Rin Varun,” he replied with a smirk. “I’m sure Kelevra’s reputation precedes him.”
Salz paled.
“Gunho isn’t interested in your throne,” Brennon said. “And Hangyeol has other grandsons to continue his family bloodline. Tell him he should be grateful. So long as he doesn’tplot against us, he’ll have an ally in Vitality thanks to the grandson he despises so much.”
“You don’t have the authority to make a claim like that.”
“Yes,” Rin drawled, “he does actually.”
“Take it.” Salz shoved the box against Brennon’s chest. “You’ll regret this forever if you don’t. I witnessed that boy grow up. He’ll never let you go.”
“Didn’t you say you were a messenger from Glyph?” Brennon quirked a brow. “Pretty sure the only people who saw Gunho grow were all on Synastry.”
