Page 74 of Silent Secrets

Hunter

Glancingovermyshoulder at Caiden and Kai, I give them a quick nod before stepping into the portal. I’m tense as I step into the Winter court palace, half afraid that my father will be waiting for us. He’s a smart man, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to put together our plan to save my siblings.

I let out a sigh of relief when I realize that there is no one else in my old room. Marcos steps into the room, hand landing on my shoulder as he shoots me a grin before the portal disappears.

We’d decided that the four of us should split up so that there is less of a chance of someone catching onto our plan. Marcos and I came to Lito to get Caleb and Haven, while Caiden and Kai were going to head to his aunt’s house. When we’d told Grace what we needed and why, she’d agreed without a moment’s hesitation. So now we just need to get them to the palace, to Caiden’s aunt, and then they’ll be on their way to a new realm—far away from our father.

“Let’s get this done, Hunt. I really don’t want to run into your dad.”

“Right.” I nod, heading to the door and throwing it open. The hallway is empty as I lead Marcos to the library. It’s where I used to have my tutoring and since Caleb and Haven have the same ancient tutor I did, I know this is where they’ll be.

When my father had appeared in my room earlier, it had only taken me one glance to know that he was there to gloat about my failure—as if it was the only outcome that he’d expected. I wouldn’t even care if he hadn’t threatened my siblings. I just want them to have a normal childhood, something that I didn’t get—that I wasn’t allowed. It isn’t asking too much and yet—it seems it isn’t in the cards for them, just as it wasn’t for any of us. At least they had ten years believing that they had a loving family.

“Hunter!” Haven’s eyes snap to me as we step into the library, already out of her chair and running toward me. She throws herself at me, and I lean down to scoop her up into a hug.

Goddess, I’m going to miss them.

When I set Haven back on her feet, Caleb is waiting beside me and I quickly hug him, too. Ruffling their hair, I turn to the tutor, Mary. Her long hair is silver, showing her age just as much as the many wrinkles along her face. Not for the first time, I wonder how old she is. With as slow as we age, she must be ancient.

“What’s the meaning of this, Lord Hunter?”

“Lord Marcos and I are going to hang out with the twins for a few hours before the masquerade.”

She makes a face. “And is the duke aware of these plans?”

“Nope,” I tell her with a grin. “Unless you’re planning to tell him.”

Mary laughs, grinning as she shakes her head. Thank the goddess that she loves me just as much now as she did when I was a child. “Still up to no good, I see. I won’t tell your father if he comes looking for them. Now, get out of here.”

I grab each of the twins’ hands and lead them from the room, Marcos heading out before us to make sure that the hallway is clear.

“Are you and Marcos really going to hang out with us?” Caleb demands, yanking on my hand.

Glancing down at my brother, I grimace. Ever since we came up with the plan to rescue them, I’ve been trying to figure out what to tell them. It’s not like I can just bring them to the palace and leave without explaining why they’re there and where they’re going.

“Not exactly.”

Marcos glances back at me, giving a quick shake of his head. I know he’s right—we don’t have time to explain this to them right now. We need to get out of Lito and back to Natsu as soon as possible. It wouldn’t be so bad if the portal room wasn’t right next to my father’s study. I do not know if he’d returned home after his visit, and even if he had, I don’t know where he’ll be.

“We’re going to Natsu, but Mother and Father don’t know, so I need you to be as quiet as a mouse while we sneak to the portal room, okay?” I glance between the twins, seeing their confusion, but they both nod. “Once we’re at the palace, I’ll explain. I promise.”

We move as quietly through the halls as we can, avoiding the guards until we’re standing at the end of the hallway that leads to my father’s study and the portal room. Marcos glances down the hallway before locking eyes with me. “Do you want me to head down there and see if he’s in his office?”

“No. Who knows what he’ll do if he thinks that you’re here by yourself. He’ll know that something is up. I think the four of us should just move quickly and quietly to the portal room, and hope that he doesn’t catch us.”

I know that it’s not really a plan, but I don’t want to split up and I definitely don’t want to let the twins go. I have to get them away from my father’s home and then out of Sorlphi as soon as possible, but I also realize that it’s possible that this is the last time that I’ll ever see them. My heart is heavy and broken, but this isn’t about me—it’s about keeping them safe.

Finally, Marcos nods and we’re moving again. I’m so tense that I’m sure I’m gripping the twins’ hands too hard, but neither one of them says a word as we scurry down the hallway. Every noise has my head turning, checking for potential danger. But somehow we make it to the portal room without being caught.

“Since the two of you haven’t been to the palace before, you’ll need to hold on to Marcos and I so that we can take you with us,” I tell the twins before sending Haven toward Marcos.

“And then you’ll tell us what’s going on?” Haven slides her hand into Marcos’s, eyes wide and blinking up at me.

I don’t want to tell them. I want to keep them naive and innocent as long as I can, but that would be for my own benefit, not theirs. So I nod as Marcos leads my sister to the portal. “I promise. Now, hurry.”

Without another word, the two of them disappear into the portal. Caleb and I are right behind them. When we step out into Grace’s office, I see that Caiden and Kai have already returned with Caiden’s aunt and cousins.

“Haven, Caleb, I need to talk to you.” I grab my sister’s hand again and lead us over to the couch. Sitting with them on each side of me, I take a deep breath. Everyone else in the room is obviously trying to give me room to speak to them as privately as possible, but Grace’s office is only so large.

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