“You’re alive,” I sobbed, burying my face in his neck.
“Of course, Dilectus. I told you I would return to you,” Zypher replied, one hand supporting my weight as the other rubbed soothingly across my back.
“Ah, this is the female who has deemed my son worthy of herVinculum.” The male beside him spoke, causing me to stiffen.
I slowly peeled myself off Zypher, embarrassment causing my skin to flush red as he allowed me to slide down his body to my feet. Tucking me against his side, Zypher turned us to face the male.
“Dilectus, allow me to introduce you to my father, Lucifer Morningstar.”
“The pleasure is mine, I assure you.” Lucifer smiled before his eyes flicked to the others. “Am I correct to assume this is the rest of yourVinculum?”
Shadrie cackled, and I noticed Miles’ face turning red. Gabriel moved to stand at my other side, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Can you imagine us with B and these two?” Shadrielaughed, elbowing Miles as she pointed at Zypher and Gabriel.
“Shadrie, Miles, this is my father,” Zypher interjected, motioning between my friends. “Father, these are our friends.” Zypher gestured toward Gabriel as Lucifer nodded at them. “This is Gabriel Dreadgrave, my bond brother.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Lucifer replied before addressing Zypher. “I will leave you to comfort your Dilectus with your bond brother. As I recall, the trials are rather traumatizing. When you’re ready, I will be speaking with the Dean.”
We watched the crowd part as Lucifer strolled toward the administration building. Zypher and Gabriel both pressed closer to my sides as the male vanished from sight.
“I apologize for him,” Zypher spoke, finally. “My father can be a bit much.”
“It’s fine,” I assured him. “I honestly thought he was kind of sweet.” Gabriel scoffed but didn’t say a word. I leaned forward, peering around Zypher to find Shadrie.
“Should we find your parents now?”
“We can try, but it’s probably better if we stay put and let them find us.” She shrugged.
I was about to ask Miles the same question when I spotted a familiar face moving through the crowd toward me. His hair was a vibrant blue, and his clothing was in an unfamiliar style, but there was no denying the shape of his hazel eyes or the silly grin plastered on his face.
“Geordie?” I croaked.
“Hello, Bechora,” he said, drawing to a stop in front of me.
“What the fuck, asshole?” I snapped, punching him in the chest. “Six fucking years and you never told me a damned thing. You were my best friend, and you were lying to me the entire time!”
His lips twisted into a frown. “I had to. It was the only way to ensure you ended up here when you needed to,” he replied.
“Did you know the whole time? That I am… what I am?” I demanded.
“I’ve known since before you were born, Bechora. Before your mother fell pregnant with you, I foresaw what you would be. I tried to warn our father, but my meddling kept changing the future. I didn’t realize how badly I’d fucked things up until the day you were sent through the portal. I was supposed to follow right behind you. You were never supposed to be alone in the human realm.”
The words tumbled out of him, the weight of the truth breaking through the dam that had kept them back for the last six years. “I barely made it out of our home that night. Your mother and our father… they died buying time for me to escape. It took me years to find another way to the human realm without being detected.”
“So, it’s true then. The things I saw in the first trial.”
“Some of it, yes.”
“The part about you being my half-brother?” I asked, arching a brow.
“That is true,” he replied. “I was seventeen when you were born. We share a father, though my mother died in her birthing bed and your mother was the only one I ever knew.”
“What else are you keeping from me? How are you even here? I thought you couldn’t come to the academy!” The words came out in a rush of demanding questions.
“I won’t be able to stay here, Bechora. I’m only here now because I have to warn you. And because I needed to speak with you.” His eyes moved to Zypher, who stiffened at my side. “Tell your father to useAegis Maleficarum.You will know when he needs to use it.”
“The law that claims mated females as a familial ward?” Zypher frowned, and I glanced between him and Geordie in confusion.
