Her soft voice whispering those words—to my twin brother, of all creatures—haunts me as I take the stairs two at a time.
All Remus knows is war. He was never skilled in the art of sweet words or manipulation. That was our father’s domain and, on occasion, mine. I could manipulate for tactical advantage like no one else in our family.
Remus was only ever chaos. Pure, distilled chaos.
He could burn fury and contention in men’s hearts until they lusted for blood. He could turn kinsmen against kinsmen, lighting up some personal quibble that had nothing to do with the battle at large and stoking their bloodlust until they’d slay one another on the spot—though the actual battlefield was two leagues away.
So there’s only one true reason he’s brought this beautiful woman to our castle.
He’s done it to torment me.
To allow me to feel the touch and embrace of the most stunning woman I’ve ever encountered, then have her turn away in disgust right after the climax of my first-ever sexual encounter. Because he’s a sadistic fuck and always will be.
He is no one’s love, and the sooner this woman realizes it, the better for everyone involved.
Abaddon will be my ally in this. He’ll see the danger in Remus’s reckless actions—betraying our presence to the humans after two centuries of careful hiding. If I’m fortunate, he’ll agree to another two-hundred-year sentence in the dungeon.
Yes, it means I’ll also be caged. But at least I know my family will come speak to me when I’m awake. I’ll still have my studies. Layden’s been showing us all sorts of devices that connect the entire world through computers with little screens. He insists the whole world can be held within the palm of one’s hand now.
I’ll have time to study this new world of his while Remus rots in silence.
Order will be restored.
And Remus will be punished.
I allow myself a small smile at this and breathe out as I pull the phone from the library desk on the second floor. The library was an addition Hannah requested, and we’ve been slowly filling it with tomes and comfortable furniture.
Hannah likes to read in here while Raven plays. It was a somewhat hairy week while they taught Raven not to fly up, rip books off the shelves, and tear into them with her sharp little fangs. But Abaddon was patient with his small daughter. I’ve been quite impressed with my eldest brother’s transformation into an understanding father.
I punch in the phone number Abaddon insisted I memorize before leaving. Did he intuit there would inevitably be an emergency with only Remus and me left behind?
I promised I could keep my brother in check for their weeklong vacation.
I couldn’t even manage three days.
I lift the phone to my ear and listen to it ring. Perhaps he won’t answer. Do I want him to? I’m never pleased to discuss failure, but we can only begin to fix a problem once everyone knows about it.
It rings and rings. I sigh, about to set it down, when it’s answered with a gruff, “What?”
“Abaddon.”
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” His voice sharpens immediately.
“It’s Remus.”
A heavy sigh comes across the line. “Of course it is. What’s he done?”
“He’s taken a consort.”
“What?” Abaddon roars. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
“I wasn’t awake in time.” The admission tastes bitter. “You need to come home. He also made a spectacle in front of humans. Multiple humans.”
“A spectacle—In front of—Where?” Abaddon demands.
“I’m not certain. I forgot to ask.”
Then I hear voices in the background and some shuffling. Finally, a couple minutes later, Abaddon comes back on the line. “Dammit. Layden’s already found the video. It’s all over the human internet. We’re on our way back.”
