Page 66 of Ruler

“Because they’re the ones who have her,” Gus says, and I nod.

I don’t know for sure that they have her, but it’s the only thing that makes sense with the time of her disappearance.

“I’m not risking your fucking life for Morgana,” Liam seethes.

Shaking my head, I reach for him. Despite clearly being worked up, my consort willingly comes to my side.

“It’s not about any one person,” I clarify when I have his hand in mine. “If anything happens to her, what do you think Arthur will do?”

“He’ll declare war on the Drákon family,” Kai answers solemnly.

Arching an eyebrow, my consort looks between me, Kai, and Gus. “But if we’re out, there’s no one left.”

I shake my head. “But that’s not true, is it? There are others. Morgana can’t be the only one. Look, clearly me and Gus weren’t enough backups to guarantee the survival of our family. The only thing that makes sense is to have as many backups as possible.”

“Yeah but—”

Running low on patience, I snap, “Enough, Liam.” His eyes widen, and I immediately feel bad for reacting this way. “It is said the Kronos Society was founded in Ancient Greece. If that’s true, it’s over two thousand years ago. Are you honestly telling me you believe they haven’t found a way to perfect the continuation of the family line? A way to… I don’t know.”

Irritated I can’t seem to find the words to explain myself, I begin to pace the lengths of Kai’s office.

“Nereid is right,” Kai interjects. “The Drákon family was the first to join the Kronos Society, which was a long fucking time ago. In that time there are bound to have been casualties, infertility, and what not. Yet, the family still stands, and there’s a reason for that.”

It’s beyond ironic and maybe even iconic that the family dealing in information is the one to keep their cards hidden. The Hatt and Russo families all proudly display their numbers. Everyone, wrongly, assumed the Drákon line was waning—myself and Gus included.

Liam lets out an annoyed huff. “I don’t fucking trust Abel. He put you at risk, agápi.”

Although I don’t disagree with the last part, I can’t let it matter right now. “You don’t have to have faith in him.” Gods, I hate the next thing I have to say. “You asked me if I was willing to trust Abel with my life, and I am. I get that you don’t agree, but I don’t know what to do if we don’t take the information he has passed on to us to heart.”

I gesture at the laptop screen that shines bright with the information about the true Drákon Legacy which is synonymous with the Tribunal. The governing body of full-blooded Drákons who decide the fate of our family.

According to the documents, he was offered a seat when my dad married my mom—something nobody was happy about. What we’ve also learned is that while my dad thought curiosity got him killed, it was his love for someone that wasn’t approved by the Tribunal. His days were marked since he said ‘I do’.

While the Tribunal’s identities are meant to be a secret, much like the Leader, thanks to Abel, we have not just the list, but also their familial status within the Drákon family. None of it does us any good, because I don’t know who those people are. But the names of the other three members will forever be etched into my memory.

First up is Joachim Drákon—officially known as Joachim Green. His day job is the director of the CIA. In the file Abel has put together on him, that’s just a farce. He controls and oversees every American intelligence agency.

The second one is Andre Drákon—officially known as Andreas Vohill. His day job is controlling all foreign intelligence agencies like MI6 in The United Kingdom, FSB in Russia, Mossad in Israel. The list goes on, but the top three are enough to get a picture.

Thirdly, Alex Drákon—officially known as Alexandria Avalon. Her day job is working undercover and gathering intel across the globe. From what I gather, she’s the one who makes sure whispers of the Tribunal never amount to more than hushed words. She’s also the one to approve and engage in collaborations across the families.

Avalon… Avalon… “Motherfucker!” I exclaim as my mind latches on to a memory from what feels like another lifetime, but in reality, it’s only… well, it doesn’t matter when it was.

“Ana Lov!” Kai growls.

At the same time, I say, “That’s all that came up when I tried to research Ana Lov.”

“Wait. There’s a footnote.” Gus points at the small number above the last entry.

I watch with bated breath as Kai clicks on the link in the footnote section. The link takes us to a different section, one that contains what looks like Ana—or Alexandria’s—biography.

Alexandria Drákon grew up as Alexandria Russo. (Note: she’s Case-DR15-B-F, sister to DR21-A-F). She was the beta to her sister’s alpha status. Upon the death of Case-DR21-A-F, Case-DR15-B-F took her sister’s spot on the Tribunal.

“No!” I feel the color drain from my face as I realize who Case-DR21-A-F was. Before I can fully process it, I practically jump into Kai’s lap and hold him tight. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

“What?” Liam asks heatedly, but I don’t pay him any attention.

I’m too focused on Kai who still hasn’t said anything. Lifting my head from his shoulder, I watch him swallow so hard his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. As I watch him piece it all together, I hold him as tight as I can. Tears well in my eyes, but I don’t allow them to fall. He doesn’t want or need me to cry.

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