His wickedness charred her blueberry fields. And forever changed my family.
It all slams into me—the heartache, the emptiness, the singed memories.
Jax’s panic-induced nightmares that he was on fire.
He’d wake up, hysterically patting himself down, and afterward, we’d snuggle up with either Axel or Ryker, crying for Mom. Sometimes, Maddox and Cash would crash on the floor because although they didn’t shout it, they were scorched too. We didn’t have the burns or scars, but those flames swallowed all of us.
Axel may have poured the gasoline, but it was scattered as a gift to my mother. A burn for growth, so a healthier life could flourish.
But the man who authored my existence was willing to turn it all to ashes.
My eyes brim with an ire I’ve never harbored before. A sweltering heat strangles me like an oppressive, humid blanket—thick air and dewy skin.
And dear ol’ Dad bellows, “Cat got your tongue, dear? Your eyes are saying it all, but you should save your energy to solve your quandary, don’t you think?”
The first words spoken to his daughter are a gibe?
“We aren’t in here to taunt, Johnny,” Wells snipes with a venomous bite to his words. And pride swells in my chest. Ivy and Wells would never let anything happen to Ty, me, or my brothers. Either they’re in the dark or this is a riddle.
“Another instance of us being expected to be soft because we’re testing one ofyours,” Balzano hisses.
“The test requires silence,” Ivy asserts. “If you can’t be quiet, you’ll be asked to leave.”
“Precisely,” the final guy on the far right agrees with a sigh. “Let’s all adhere to the arranged stipulations and allow this to play out.” He raises a hand in the air. “I’m Payne Logan, by the way. Sorry for the interruption.”
Balzano chuckles. “Fine. I’ve got nothing to say to any of them anyway. Thankfully, this won’t take much longer.”
Time is ticking. Black grains are thinning.
One sentence.
Tick.
My brows furrow as I spin to gauge the responses of Axel, Jax, and Ty, all of whom seem as irate as I am. Rigid jaws and wooden spines. But mute, like me.
I whip the card out of my pocket. The bylaws are facing up when I first pull it out.
KORT: A knighthood that serves without a king.
Bylaws must be agreed upon and adhered to once your trial is passed. A more thorough document will be provided at that time.
The welfare of KORT must always be of foremost importance. If there is a conflict of interest between one of the five empires and KORT, matters are always resolved in favor of KORT.
KORT may only convene at The Table when all knights are present and accounted for.
Anyone interfering with KORT holdings is considered a threat and will be neutralized for the sake of the kingdom.
