Griffin knew his brother well enough to read between the lines. “But not after.”
Drago tugged Griffin to him in the replica of a hug, except it wasn’t that. “No one who is consideredcherishedis safe. You know that better than anyone.” The words were swept away with the wind.
Griffin inclined his head. He understoodexactlythe dangers Raven would be in once they arrived. But he had a plan in mind, with or without her agreement.
I need to keep her safe.
“Where is Anadil taking Jayce? Taking Sparrow?” Griffin whispered back.
But just as before, Drago wouldn’t answer these questions. “In due time.” Drago stepped away, releasing Griffin.
His lips quirked as Griffin stumbled with a large wave. He reached out his hand again to steady him in place.
“You never did acquire sea legs. Best to go back to your cabin until this storm passes. We will be arriving in Grypheem tomorrow evening.” Drago’s eyes darkened. “Unless…”
“Unlesstheystop us.” Griffin didn’t allow himself to focus too deeply on the implications. “Which they will. So it will be the morning after that.”
“The rumors have spread. They are aware that the games have been disrupted. The sponsors are rioting about their money lost, but even more than that, there is a demand for punishment that a Sacred Cherished was sent there in the first place. That she is on this ship. They are searching for her Sponsor, and the Creators are being held, awaiting trial. Yet no one has even mentioned the Host.”
The Creators… Harold and Sharon Roger. The evil couple he had more run-ins with than he cared to over the years when he lived in Violencia.
“Lucky Julian.” Griffin laughed. “And nothing will change. The games will continue on. All ofthatfor what?”
The rain strengthened, beating down on both of the brothers, but neither moved nor reacted. Frozen in place.
“I’m sorry,” Drago eventually said, bowing his head. “I didn’t have a way to rescue you this time. Anadil wouldn’t help me as she did before.”
Griffin cast his attention to where he knew Raven to be, before flicking back to Drago.
“You didn’t have a choice. I was the idiot who was captured immediately upon my return.” Griffin scrutinized his brother.
There was guilt that danced in Drago’s eyes, but Griffin didn’t question him on it. They had both gone off script.
Drago had fallen for evil incarnate.
Griffin had become transfixed on the one woman who could destroy everything.
Oleks coming out onto the deck drew Griffin’s attention. He watched the man move along the ship as if he were dancing. The waves not affecting him in the slightest.
Drago turned his head. “Do you trust them all? Oleks? Enzo? Maverick? Levi?”
Griffin cut his gaze to his brother. “As much as I trust you.”
Effectively ending the conversation, Griffin used the last of his energy to duck under his brother’s arm and make his way across the deck. Each step he took brought him closer to Raven but also nearer to a memory from a distant past.
Each rock of the ship, each stumble.
The dull ghost throbbing on his neck.
His hand came up on its own to the scar left there from his first encounter with the pirates of Vanravara.
Fifteen Years Ago – Catastro Sea
“Brother! Get up! Hurry!”
Griffin startled awake, hitting his head on the wood just above his makeshift bed.
He let out a pained groan before Drago’s voice cut through again.
