Page 71 of Captured in Love
I think of how he stopped the blood flow to my head with a single gesture when I’d confronted him about Nora’s mother. Healing, that’s his magic talent, but healing means manipulating a person’s bodily functions, and it works both ways. He held me there as I gasped for breath, as my vision turned black around the edges, and let me go just before I passed out. I collapsed on the floor, and that was the end of the conversation.
I’ve barely seen him since then, avoiding being alone with him.
I’ve been a coward.
And I’ve had enough.
“You threatened Mom and Oscar. YoukilledNora’s mother!” I run my hand over my hair and grip the back of my neck, breathing too fast.
“Who do you think ordered that kill?” he demands.
My world grinds to a stop. “What?”
He lets out a low, harsh laugh. “They offered her a chance to participate in their plan. She refused, so they turned to me.”
In the background, glass clinks, and I hear him swallow something.
“They turned to you,” I repeat, suddenly numb.
He clears his throat. “That’s why I’m telling you to stop and come home. We have a lot to talk about. You’ll take over one day, and it’s time I told you what it’s all about. If you come now, I’ll be able to persuade the Scots you hadn’t meant to keep them from cleaning up the Moss girl. She’s had a target on her back since day one.”
“Cleaning—” Words get stuck in my throat, and I gasp for breath, doubling over at the sheer insanity of what he’s saying.
This means…
This means Nora is in danger. And I need to get to herright now.
“I gotta go,” I tell my father, then hang up on his frantic protest.
I turn back toward the hospital—and find Nora and Raphaël standing mere feet from me.
Twenty-Seven
Nora
I sway in place,unsure if my legs will hold me up for much longer.
Levi gapes at me, his face turning paper-white.
Raphaël lets out a low groan, then puts his hand on the small of my back and gives me a gentle nudge toward the car. “Come on, we can’t do this out here.”
But I dig in my feet and refuse to budge. “What’s going on?”
For a moment, I’m sure Levi will be sick. His throat works, then he forces out, “Nora, I’m sorry.”
Ice spreads through my veins, numbing out all feeling. “Who was that on the phone?” My voice sounds so fucking calm, it surprises even me.
“My father,” he says, straightening his back. “I didn’t want you to find out this way.”
“Find out that he killed my mother?” I ask.
Levi swallows, and his Adam’s apple bobs. Finally, he forces out, “Yes.”
My world tilts sideways, and a rushing noise fills my ears. Raphaël is saying something, but I can’t focus on his words. His firm grip on my upper arm is the only anchor preventing me from falling over. The bright, vivid colors of this Icelandic town suddenly seem muted, the green grass less vibrant, the cloudless sky less blue.
Then the world crashes back into focus.
“How did he do it?” I rasp.
