“She’s smart,” I corrected her.
Quen’s untrusting nature would work in our favour. Archer may have tried to weasel his way into her life, but she trusted no one at their word. She would much rather drive you insane and force you to prove your loyalty, and that was exactly what would keep her alive. While she was untrusting, she was alert and aware and brilliant.
“What are you planning?” Elva pleaded as we reached the door to my big brother’s home.
“Unfortunately, I don’t trust you enough to disclose that.”
Her face crumpled. “We’re friends.”
“You are not my priority.”
“Then I’ll leave,” she retorted. Her sadness morphed into anger easily but was unmatched to mine. “If you’re about to drag me into a war, I want to know.”
The term collateral damage came to mind. The talk of wars was still a distant notion, but not an impossible one. I would spill blood for Quentin if it came to that, but there were other avenues to explore first. Avenues that wouldn’t see Quentin tear me apart when she saw sense.
“You’re hysterical,” I said, placing a hand over hers.
She snatched it away, unlinking our arms. “Don’t you dare. You’re not the only one who’s worried about her.”
I agreed with the sentiment, but I was the only one willing to do anything about it. The others were too eager to sit back and let things play out, but I craved control over the situation. Quentin needed to be where I could see and guide her. Next to me so I could soothe her worries and praise every minor success until she was comfortable in her skin again. Just because she was forced to cope alone didn’t mean she should have to.
“I never said I was,” I responded coldly.
“You behave like it.”
“I’m sorry I can’t bury my head in my relationship and trust the only family I have left will navigate through whatever trials a devious minor God sets before her. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the deep care you’ve shown.”
Elva looked like I’d slapped her across the face, but I was tired of the lack of initiative from my kin. Did they believe a simple split vote in the council chambers kept her safe? Even if it did, how long before another vote was called? Had they forgotten the way Gods could be? Vindictive, fickle, selfish, and with a blatant disregard for everyone but themselves.
The tendrils of deep purple unfurled from Elva’s body, wrapping around my wrist and stopping me from knocking on the door.
“Let go,” I said through my teeth.
“Take back what you said.”
“Truth hurts, Elva. I expected more from you.”
There was more I could say. More I wanted to say. It was part of my nature to be destructive, and it was difficult to rein it in, but there was a bigger picture, as everyone kept reminding me.
“Lovers’ tiff?” Larkin asked, opening the door. Her fair eyebrow arched as her gaze flitted from my face to Elva’s and finally landed on my wrist bound by her purple aura.
Elva released me immediately, the fight flooding out of her and her usual calm demeanour cascading around us. It was a mask. I sensed the chaos that still simmered beneath the surface. A few more moments and she’d have made me taste death.
“Of course not,” she replied, stepping over the threshold as Larkin moved back. Elva threw a glance at me over her shoulder before walking with Larkin.
I pushed the door shut behind me and steeled myself for what would be a long night before following both further into the house.
Despite the lack of necessity for food, Hunter insisted on family dinners. Far removed from the friendly, familial catch-up they were disguised as, it was a way for him to keep a close eye on us while projecting the image of a family man. I hoped Larkin would grace him with children soon, so his focus would be diverted.
I sat beside Elva at the dinner table and sank into my role. Alcohol flowed freely, and I cut across conversation with the odd biting remark that would be expected. I kept myself close to Elva, attracting a few curious looks from Erik. It was better to balance irritating my big brother with giving him a glimpse of what he wanted in order to keep him sweet.
“What are you doing?” Erik muttered under his breath, rising from the table as we finished dinner.
I didn’t trust that Hunter wasn’t paying close attention, so I turned my head away from Erik. “I need to talk to Hunter.”
Although I couldn’t see his face, I imagined the vague sense of panic that ran through him as Sloan pulled him away.
“Grayson,” Elva said.
