“Oh?”
“I’ve noticed a change in Raziel.” His tone grew softer, more thoughtful. “You’re different from his other companions. You’ve survived longer, for one thing.” He chuckled. “But there’s something else.”
Once more, she said nothing.
“He’s more focused. More disciplined. Almost as if there’s a goal he’s fighting for beyond his twisted pleasures. He’s working toward something—and it’s been ever since you arrived. But I don’t knowwhat.Either the bastard is truly in love with you?—”
They both paused to laugh at that.
“—or he’s scheming. Something big. Something that could tear us all apart.”
Oh.Oh.Lana hadn’t told Mael that “Monica” wasn’t really “Monica.” Lana might have told him that she had asked Nadi totake out Raziel during the Braen hit…but everything after that?Interesting.
“Why do you think he’s choosing to move now? It certainly can’t be because of me.”
“Potentially, it could. The Nostrom family is at a crossroads. Volencia is losing her grip on reality, becoming more paranoid and vindictive by the day. Lana schemes in her corners. Now, if she has access to the Rosovs and their resources? She’s a real threat. If Raziel has dreams of power, he may see this as a now-or-never moment.”
“I’ve never known Raziel to be anything but loyal to the family.” The lie left her easily. Sometimes, she really wondered about herself.
“I appreciate the fact that you want to believe in him. I truly do. But…” He paused. “Raziel has always been a loose cannon.”
“Killing him won’t be easy.” That was true. “Braen will be hard enough. I may not get the opportunity.” This was just simple logistical facts.
“I know. He is…damnhard to kill. Trust me, we’ve tried. However, there could be another way.”
Nadi said nothing, once more waiting for him to continue.
“You give us leverage we’ve never had before.”
“You want me to be a leash on your rabid brother?” The idea was as offensive as it was absurd. She snorted in laughter. “You think that’llwork?”
“No. Not a leash. A bridge. A way for me to reach him—influence him—without triggering his paranoia and rage. If he can’t be killed, then I want to work with him. He’s mybrother,Monica. I love him, no matter what you might believe. In the end, I would much prefer he be alive and at my side. I just can’t trust him. But Icantrust you.”
Oh, buddy…
But this wasn’t what she’d expected. She heard true sadness in Mael’s voice. True remorse. This was a man looking at his rabid family dog, the one he’d loved his entire life, and putting it down with tears in his eyes.
This wasn’t Lana’s gleeful ladder-climbing. This was a man who honestly wanted what wasbestfor him and his people.
“Raziel and I, together, truly aligned? We could create a new kind of order in the metropolis. One free of the old-world cruelty and stagnation that my mother so very much adores.”
It almost sounded noble, put that way. Almost kind.
But Nadi had lived too long among liars to take his words at face value.
“And what happens if I refuse?” Now, that was the kicker. How would he respond to that?
Mael’s tone hardened. “Then, you remain under Raziel’s…protection. Until his interest wanes or his mood darkens. And we both know how that story ends.”
The threat was clear. Play my game, or face Raziel’s inevitable betrayal alone. “Tonight is the hit on Braen. Depending on how that goes…I’ll need time to think.”
“Of course. But events will move quickly. You may not have much time. I can protect you from him. Remember that.”
It was a fight to keep her voice neutral. “I will. Thank you.”
“Oh. One more thing.”
She furrowed her brow and waited.
