“So, the cloaks are tradition?” he asked. They all wore them. Across from him sat Nathan, Michael, and Zach, all wedged into the seat. Gabe sat to Forrest’s right, also in a black cloak. Hood raised.
“You know how the English like tradition. If something was set in place hundreds of years ago, heaven forbid it is altered in any way,” Michael said. “Cloaks could have easily given way to overcoats, but no. Here we are, dressed in them.”
“Just tell him what it’s about again. He’s made the choice to come—”
“I hadn’t realized there was a choice,” Forrest drawled, interrupting Zach. “And I know some of it. You have been talking around it for a while now. There is a man called Geraint, who is your contact, and you are part of a secret alliance. Plus, you said my ability with Indian dialects intrigues this Geraint?”
“Let me reiterate. It all started in 1709,” Gabe said, “when the monarchy was under threat. Anne, Queen of Great Britain, gathered her ten most powerful nobles together, and a council was formed, Alexius, to protect the monarch. That’s changed over the years, and others have been under our protection also,” Gabe said.
He’d known small snippets of it, but not all.
“That ring,” Zach pointed to the ring Gabe wore, “was forged from a goblet used by William the Conqueror in 1066 when he won the Battle of Hastings and took the throne.”
“Move on, Zach. I am not letting you wear it.” Gabe rolled his eyes.
“Veritas scutumtibi erit is our pledge,” Nathan said.
“The truth will be your shield,” Forrest translated.
They all nodded. “Are there more of you?”
“Many more, and our numbers have swelled over the last few years as the threats have increased,” Gabe said.
“We get pies after Geraint has summoned us, usually,” Zach said around a yawn. “It is what drew me to become part of Alexius.”
“Which is a lie. You love every aspect of being part of Alexius,” Michael said.
“Are there many who wish the monarch dead?”
“Yes,” Gabe said. “But not just our king. There are others we protect also.”
“Alexius has foiled many attempts to harm our monarch. There are also those in the government who should have more brains than they do,” Zach said. “Positions of power within the court and government are not always held by those with the most intelligence, you see, cousin,” Zach said.
“My fiancée was able to steal secrets, as was her father, because they were being blackmailed to do so. Those secrets were often kept in unlocked drawers or pockets,” Nathan said.
He’d known most of Beth’s story, but not all.
“I’m sorry she suffered, Nathan.”
“It will not happen again,” he vowed.
Forrest knew these men would protect those they loved with everything they had at their disposal, and had. He felt no different.
The carriage slowed, and they were all soon standing on a narrow path. Gabe led the way, and they walked in silence, single file. Forrest felt his pulse quicken as they reached a church that sat back from the road. One side was blackened, likely from fire, the other covered in a thick creeping vine. It was old, Forrest realized, and knew that if those walls could talk they would have many tales to tell.
“Well, cousin, this is your last chance. Are you in or out?” Gabe asked him.
“In,” he said before he could change his mind.
The brothers all raised their hoods, and Forrest suddenly felt naked, even though he was fully clothed.
They stopped before the thick wooden door, and Gabe raised his fist and banged it four times.
“To my mind, that is a trifle pretentious. I mean, who would know were I to knock four times?” Zach muttered.
Michael elbowed him hard in the ribs. Forrest had no siblings, so the Devilles had taken him a while to grow comfortable with. Now he was as likely to elbow one of them as they were each other.
“Stand beside us at Gabe’s back,” Nathan whispered to Forrest as they entered. He was last. Something swirled in the air. He could feel it.
