Eliot placed the mask over The Director’s face, waiting for him to take a few deep breaths.
“Do you believe this detective of yours is alive?” The Director asked once he’d removed the mask.
“Yes.”
“Is this your brain speaking or your heart?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
His cracked lips stretched into a smile, revealing yellowish teeth. “You were always stubborn, but maybe you should walk away from this before it’s too late.”
“I came here for answers, not advice. Who replaced you after you left?”
“We don’t know,” Eliot answered. “Mr. White and the rest of the High Council agreed to let Thomas and me leave after his cancer worsened, but we never learned who took over instead—nor did we care.”
“Then how can I find out where they took Hayden?”
The Director turned to Eliot. “They brought down the old place years ago. Do you know where they moved to?”
“No, but I will steer Jonah in the right direction.”
“That’s kind of you. You always had a soft spot for him.”
“As did you, eventually.”
The Director looked at me with fondness. “True.”
I gripped the bed’s railing hard enough to hurt. “Why the hell am I here?”
“You are here to do what I am too weak to do myself,” Eliot said quietly, almost like an apology.
The Director frowned, then his eyes flashed with understanding. “You wicked devil.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m ready. Hell, I’ve been ready for a long time. The question is, areyou?”
Eliot opened his mouth, then closed it and covered his face. I stared numbly as he sobbed, beginning to understand why I’d been brought here.
“No.” I took a step back. “Forget it.”
Eliot wiped his face. “Does this mean you agree?” he asked his brother.
“Yes, and I’m proud of you. You were always the strong one.”
Eliot chuckled bitterly. “That’s the morphine speaking.”
“I’m not fucking doing this!”
“You are.” Eliot met my gaze, determination in his eyes. “This is the only way I’ll agree to help you.”
“It isn’t worth it.”
“Then leave.” He gestured with his head to the door. “Go and find Hayden on your own.”
In my head, I stormed out and left this madness behind me, but in reality, I didn’t move an inch. It had been over a decade since I last saw these people, and the moment I stepped back into their domain, their darkness once more consumed me.
“Youoweme this help,” I said through gritted teeth. “I gave you enough!”
