“Ah, Thierry,” Magnus sighed happily, his grip on Eli tightening. “I looked for you over the years, you know.”
“Is that what you call it?” Thierry hissed, outrage twisting his features. “I was never able to stay in one place for longer than a few weeks! I spent centuries alone because of you!”
Magnus snorted, eyes mocking as he held Thierry’s gaze. Then he looked over at Harris, who was on his knees beside Sam—both wide-eyed, frozen, and trembling. Tears streamed down Sam’s cheeks, but neither of them seemed able to move a muscle.
They were clearly under a powerful hypnotic compulsion. Sadie’s body lay crumpled in the corner. I couldn’t tell if she was unconscious or dead.
A fresh wave of fear flooded through me. History was repeating itself.
“Ah, it’s so nice to see the brothers reunited again after all these years, isn’t it?” Magnus asked, his gaze sliding back to the detective, his smile cold. Then he looked at Thierry and me. “You know, just between us, I hadn’t realized how much I enjoyed twins until the day I met you two.”
“Go to hell,” Thierry snarled.
“Such a temper,” Magnus said, shaking his head. “I would’ve broken you of that, eventually.” His tone sharpened. “Godric is here as well. Once I’m done with you two, he’s next.”
“You were never going to recruit Nicolas,” Thierry said flatly.
Magnus tsked. “I came to Los Angeles to do exactly that. Once I saw what the good doctor did to him, of course, my plans changed. He’s corrupted and useless to me.” Magnus’s smile vanished. “I remained because it was only a matter of time before you and Godric came. You’re all so very predictable.”
“And Rookwood?” Thierry demanded. “All those innocent people—”
“I’ll deal with them in the fullness of time.” Magnus sneered. “The ones who aren’t weak will join me. The rest will receive something you three will not—a quick death.”
“Let the humans go,” I said, barely able to control the helpless rage that made my voice shake. “Let them go and I’ll do anything you want. I’ll help you.”
“Oh, is it all of them now?” Magnus snorted. “But I thought you wanted me to release the lovely Doctor De La Cruz?” He tsked again, shaking his head. “So greedy. But then, you always were, weren’t you? Once you’d had a taste, you couldn’t stop.” His smile turned colder. “How’s this? I’ll release your lover—but in exchange, I want you to kill the detective and the sister.”
“No!” Eli gasped.
A sick feeling settled in my stomach as I glanced at Harris and Sam. Harris was only here because we’d somehow become friends. He’d sworn to protect Eli and Sam. And Sam wasn’t yet a friend, but she might have been—if given time. And Eli loved her.
I couldn’t hurt her. I couldn’t hurt either of them.
“Ask me something else,” I ground out, glaring at Magnus. “Anything else.”
“Very well,” Magnus said. “Kill Elijah, and I will let them both live.”
Nicolas, I trust you—and I need you to trust me. Can you do that?
I shoved down my helpless rage and met Eli’s gaze.Yes.
Magnus doesn’t know I’m an old soul. He doesn’t know I can’t be compelled. We can trick him. It’s our only chance.
No!I protested, horror rising as I understood what he was suggesting.I can’t risk your life.
Sam and Harris won’t come back if we fail—but I will. Trust me.
I didn’t dare nod, but I sent my assent through the bond, and I knew he felt it.
“I’ll do it,” I said, forcing the words out and hating every syllable. “I’ll take Eli’s life to spare theirs.”
Magnus blinked, surprised. “That’snotwhat I thought you’d choose. Perhaps you’re of more use to me than I imagined.”
Beside me, Thierry stared, lips parted, eyes filled with outrage and disbelief.
I met my brother’s gaze evenly. “Forgive me. But what is one life compared to two? Eli is easily replaced. He’s only human, after all.”
Understanding flickered in Thierry’s eyes. It was only a split second, but eight centuries apart couldn’t change the fact that he was my twin. I saw it.
