Page 82 of Despite Mortal Sins

As Jaeda has instructed, he needed to find an outlet, a way to work through some of the rage and depression he felt so keenly. Looking to the sea, Isaiah let the bristling winds dry the evidence on his cheeks. Hollow, he filled his lungs with the salty air and braced himself.

He sent a mental ping to the other sovereign’s mind.

What, Isaiah?

I would ask a favor, Zeke.Stealing himself, he continued.Spar with me.

No.There was no question in Ezekiel’s voice.

You’re the only one I can’t accidentally kill, Zeke.Desperation filled his psychic voice before he could stop it.I’m affecting my clan.

Silence stretched for several excruciatingly long seconds.I have no desire to spar with you, Isaiah. Find another way to vent.

Isaiah felt Zeke’s presence begin to recede from his mind, and he knew he’d have to reveal the one thing Nina had demanded he never disclose. A secret of the past he would have left buried if he had any other choice.

I slept with Nina.

Wrath bloomed in Zeke’s mental voice, potent and vengeful.You lie.

Ask her yourself.

Before Isaiah even registered the teleport to his left, Zeke’s fist collided with his jaw.

Chapter Thirty-One

Rukiaabsentlyrubbedather chest, but the ache below the surface wasn’t physical. The hollowness that’d settled behind her breastbone and infiltrated her mind wasn’t one that could be healed. It was all-encompassing, a void that spanned her entire being.

And she’d see the reason for it in less than thirty minutes.

When Nina had asked the dignitaries to a summit meeting three days ago while they’d gathered for Gideon’s memorial, she’d accepted as leader for the Elemental people. What went unsaid is why they’d waited—to see if Gideon would rise.

Now, as she stared out the window of Nina’s House in Lexington, she sighed deeply. Since Isaiah had banished her from his territory nearly a week ago, she’d been spending large amounts of time in the depths of the lake in Paracel, trying to wash away her pain.

Behind her, Tyee and Jeremiah were speaking in low tones. Jeremiah’s mood hadn’t improved in the slightest, but at least he was mentally present. Rukia couldn’t say the same.

Her mind was lost in a fog, her heart weary. In truth, she desired nothing more than to curl into a ball and rest in the serenity of the ocean waters. Isaiah hadn’t made a single attempt to contact her in the time since she’d last seen him, and neither had any of his lieutenants.

But she’d see him today.

Turning her mind from the man who’d tied her in knots, she refocused on Tyee. “When we’re in there, Tyee, sometimes tempers flare. You may be called upon to speak about Gideon’s death. About our ways and our culture.”

Jeremiah’s harsh voice cut through the quietness of the room. “You capable of that?”

“I will have to be,” came the soft-spoken reply.

Today, Tyee wore his long, deep brown hair in traditional braids, his white clothing a sharp contrast to the burnished brown of his skin. When he paused to study Rukia in her continued silence, his eyes were glassy.

“We’re in this together,” she said. “Gideon may be gone, but we’re still here, and we have to fight the people who did this to him.”

Twenty minutes later, the group made their way into the conference room. Aidan had driven separately from them, needing the time with his alphas, Nova and Riaz. Upon entering the space, all three werewolves looked solemn but greeted them warmly.

As was typical, Drake and Kane attended for the vampire faction, but instead of Rona rounding out their number, Lucius had taken her place. A friend to all, no one had blinked an eye as he dutifully stepped in to fill the void left by Gideon’s mourning wife.

Of the Raeths, only Nero had arrived. Instead of joining the others in the conference room, he stood in the hall with Nina, the duo obviously having a private telepathic conversation. Neither looked particularly pleased.

Taking their seats, Tyee and Jeremiah flanked Rukia on either side. Noting the change of position, Aidan offered Rukia a reassuring smile. For the first time, she simply returned the expression, no sarcasm in sight. Gideon would’ve been proud.

As the clock struck six, Nero found his seat but said nothing in greeting, the Raeth looking far too lost in his own thoughts to remember formalities.

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