Chapter 54
Carver
“Mygamblingdebtsovercameme,” Morelli said into the brittle silence that filled the townhome’s sitting room. “I owed a great deal to a lot of people.Dangerouspeople.”
A single lantern glowed, illuminating the deep lines carved onto Morelli’s face. It was only Morelli, Cregon, and Carver in the room. Amryn was with Carver’s mother, who had looked absolutely shattered as Cregon had brusquely ordered Morelli to follow him down the hall.
The only other word Carver’s father had uttered since they’d entered this room was a terse, “Explain.”
Carver stared at Morelli as the man began to do so, feeling nothing but shock. This was a man he’d known his whole life, but Morelli was a complete stranger in this moment.
“I didn’t sell my estate in Westmont, like I told everyone,” Morelli said, his voice cracking. “I lost it. I was losing everything. But someone came forward and offered to buy my debt.” His hands flexed on his knees. He was sitting in a cushioned chair, weaponless and with his head bowed. He looked utterly defeated. “I couldn’t say no. I was ruined. If anyone found out, I’d lose everything. My reputation. My rank. All respect.” His face crumpled. “I had no choice.”
“Who bought your debt?” Carver asked.
Morelli’s throat bobbed. “Chancellor Morav.”
A chill swept through Carver. A sudden knowing, wrapped in dread. “She’s part of the Brotherhood.”
“No,” Morelli said. “She’s theirleader.”
If Carver had thought he couldn’t experience more shock tonight, those words proved him wrong.
Chancellor Morav, the emperor’s senior advisor, was the leader of the mysterious Brotherhood.
“She didn’t tell me that in the beginning, of course,” Morelli said quietly. “Morav said she’d keep my gambling debts a secret if I helped her from time to time. Small favors. Nothing consequential. Writing recommendations for soldiers who were looking to become captains in the city guard—here in Zagrev, and elsewhere in the empire. Looking the other way if I heard complaints about certain investigations. Making sure specific guards were on duty at specific times.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t see anything overtly wrong or treasonous in my actions. Not until Trevill was murdered.”
A sick feeling twisted in Carver’s gut. “You influenced who was guarding his cell that night.”
Morelli’s tongue darted out, swiping over his lips. “I had no idea what they planned. I was just following orders—”
“How long?” Cregon bit out. “How long have you been working for the Brotherhood?”
Morelli’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he glanced at his friend. “Five years.”
“Blazing Saints,” Cregon cursed, turning away. His hands were on his hips, tension bleeding from him.
Carver forced himself to remain focused, even as a single tear dashed down Morelli’s cheek. “How long have you known Morav was the leader of the Brotherhood?”
“About two years.” Morelli scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know every member, but I can give you the names Morav has mentioned to me.”
“You remained involved in Trevill’s murder investigation to protect Morav and the Brotherhood,” Carver guessed. “And yourself.”
“Yes,” Morelli admitted quietly.
There was a sudden sinking in his gut. “Did you tell Morav about Hector’s investigation? Everything he and Kulver shared with us?”
“Not everything.” His tongue darted over his lips. “She already knew Hector was asking questions, so when she learned I’d met with him . . . I had no choice but to confirm he was looking into the Brotherhood. But that’s all I told her. And I didn’t mention Kulver.”
“Can you confirm Trevill was a member of the Brotherhood?” Carver asked.
“Yes. Morav told me as much when I confronted her after he was killed.”
“Do you know why he was killed?”
“Morav said he knew too much. That he was a risk to the entire Brotherhood.”
It was exactly what Carver had suspected. And yet, this was far worse than he’d ever imagined. “You’ve known all this time. When we linked the Brotherhood with thesonnedealers—”
