Perfect.
“Trent.”
My brother’s voice echoed through the hollow chamber—cold, impatient, oil-slick smooth. Remus Storm stood at the center of the obsidian table, flanked by the three pretenders who helped him poison the Factions that had found a home on Earth.
Sylvester, Claudia, and George, all high-ranking DF operatives. All of themcowardspretending to be someone important.
I sprawled in my seat, annoyed that I had to be here when I could be in Bellona, tormenting the warriors in—well, not the coliseum—since it was destroyed by she-who-shall-not-be-named. Instead, the battles were taking place in the new-old-school arena (a dirt circle). My Cryptfiends had been undefeated so far, but today was a new day, so anything could happen. I needed some entertainment because the injections weren’t effective enough to keep the voices at bay. Torren was supposed to be just a means to an end for torturing—you know who—but lately, he had found his voice and was torturing me daily.
“Trent!”
“What?” I blink, snapping back from my thoughts.
Claudia folded her hands. “The attacks on Earth have ceased.”
“Randall had a lot to do with our defeat at Langley. I think our control over him is slipping. Especially since Adelaide has gotten Sly back. You know, he and Sly were friends back at Emberhold.” Sylvester added nervously.
Remus continued to stare at me, “I gave up my position on the council to help stop suspicion falling to me.” He frowned. “Now with my own son tied to that bitch’s daughter, I’m sure he’s given them any information he has. And with you playing childish games with the girl, things seem to be unraveling.”
Oh, here we fucking go.
I smiled—sharp enough to draw blood. “I don’t expect you to understand, but the information that I retrieved from those ‘childish games’ was invaluable.”
“You sound defensive,” George muttered.
“I sound bored,” I corrected.
But the truth was it was hard to concentrate with this connection toher. Burning through my veins like wildfire.
The fucking serum wasn’t dampening the bond like I hoped it would. I think it was actually making it worse. Torren’s voice clawed my brain, causing a headache I couldn’t seem to get rid of.
My vision flickered. For a heartbeat, the room tilted sideways.
Remus’s eyes narrowed. “Trent. Focus.”
I straightened, power crackling at my fingertips. “The attacks failed because your Cryptfiends are incompetent.”
George bristled. “You gave us use of those Cryptfiends.”
“Exactly my point. So, the failure belongs at your door.” I smirked, loving the mad hatter act I had going on. These dumbfucks were getting on my nerves, and I had more important things to do.
Sylvester swallowed. “We need her back.”
I froze.
Claudia leaned forward. “Reverie Hawthorne must be recaptured. The DF cannot progress without her.”
Torren snarled in my mind.
I didn’t bother holding it back.
“No,” I whispered.
Sylvester blinked. “N-No?”
“She is not to be touched without my say-so.” I stared them down.
George scoffed. “We command you to bring her to us.”
