Page 2 of Kingdom of Chaos
The magical noise-dampening barrier around the ruins wasn’t the only thing to vanish the moment Kerrim and Becks disappeared through the portal. The magical gag order that kept anyone from speaking about Chaos to those who hadn’t been there opening night disintegrated with it. By the time the police found Talon and me beneath the cathedral ruins, they already knew about the competition.
My parents, along with who knows how many others, now know the truth. Or at least fragments of it. More of those details are sure to surface in the coming days.
There was a time I wished for this. Wished I could confide in my parents, tell them everything. But things have changed.
“I can’t do this right now,” I tell them honestly, my voice low. “I’m sorry, but I’m just too tired. And there are other things I need to do.”
Because while they may deserve answers, right now I need to focus on saving the person who took a blade for me. The one I left behind.
“It doesn’t matter if?—”
“Garrett,” my mom says, tugging gently on his arm to stop him.
My dad looks down at her, his jaw tight.
“She’s been through a lot tonight,” she continues softly. “We can have this conversation after she’s had a shower and some sleep. Let her be.”
He frowns, clearly not thrilled with the idea. But I know from experience that while my dad may be big and burly, he’s putty in my mom’s delicate hands. He can deny her nothing.
Despite the swirl of emotions crashing through me, despite the distance I feel from them both right now, I can’t help but marvel at the quiet love they have for each other. And not for the first time, my heart aches to have even a piece of that for myself.
But is it too late for that? Was Becks my one chance at a love like that, and now it’s gone forever because he is?
I give a small shake of my head, forcing the thought away. I can’t allow myself to think like that or I’ll crack into a million pieces. Too many to ever put back together again.
Becks is okay.And I will find him, I say to myself, trying to cement those thoughts in my mind.
As expected, my dad glances back at me and gives me a tight nod. Without another word, I take the out I’ve been given, and flee.
I slammy fist against the solid wood door as hard as I can. It’s quiet behind the imposing double doors, but I know someone’s inside. I saw the curtain in one of the upstairs rooms shift, like someone dropped it the moment I looked up.
I pause for ten seconds, tops, before pounding again. I don’t care if I’m being rude. That’s the least of my concerns right now. What matters is that Talon’s ignoring my messages.
My mind won’t stop spinning with worst-case scenarios. Becks bleeding out. Becks being taken captive by Kerrim. Kerrim using Shadow Striker to finish Becks off.
The only thing keeping me even partially grounded is the hope that Talon might have some answers. I don’t know how I’m going to reach Becks, but if there’s a way, Talon is it. But he’s not answering his phone. He hasn’t responded to a single message. After everything that’s happened, after everything we’ve been through, he owes me more than silence.
Maybe there’s a reasonable explanation. It hasn’t even been a full day since Chaos imploded. But rising urgency in my gut says I can’t afford to wait. Time’s running out for Becks.
If Talon won’t come to me, I’ll find him myself and get the answers I need.
I lift my hand to pound on the door again when it suddenly swings open. Drake Brayden’s imposing form fills the doorway, a lowball glass of amber liquid in his hand. His hair is uncharacteristically disheveled, and his eyes are bloodshot. He smells like a distillery as he frowns down at me, his black brows a harsh slash above a hostile stare.
I’m not overly surprised to see Talon’s uncle. This is his house, after all, and he answered the door the last time I came here, but I am surprised to see him in such a state.
“What are you doing here?” he barks, and despite myself I take an involuntary step back.
Drake is an intimidating dragon shifter. Standing over six and a half feet tall and powerful enough to hold a seat on the dragon council, he exudes authority. Despite my earlier bravado, it takes a second to gather my courage. What helps is remembering the role he played in tearing Becks and me apart. How he used Becks’ freedom to blackmail me into not only ending things, but staging the scene with Talon to make it look like I’d moved on. Some of the blame for Becks believing I betrayed him lies squarely at Drake’s feet, and that thought turns my apprehension into anger.
“I’m here to see Talon,” I say, proud that my voice comes out strong and clear.
He narrows his eyes at me, then starts to close the door without a word.
“Wait!” I shout, jamming my foot between the door and the frame, stopping it just in time. He reopens it, just enough for me to see half his face and body.
“Where is he?”
“Talon’s not here,” he says flatly, and tries to close the door again, but I slap a hand against the wood, holding it firm.
