Their communication equipment was as impressive as the exotic helicopter they were in at the moment. The immortals had far-advanced technology.
“No. I don’t want her dead,” Garrett muttered, moving his headset so he could speak loudly enough for the cool ear communicator to catch. “Just destroy her. I want everything taken away. All accounts, all jewelry, all comfort. Leave her with nothing. Thanks.” Then he clicked off.
Dessie crossed her arms, partially turning to face him.
He didn’t take his gaze off the tumultuous clouds outside, but he did put his headset back into place. “You said you didn’t want Cecile dead, and I promised I wouldn’t have her killed. Anything else is on the table, and she deserves it.” Then he banked a hard right.
In the back, the monk stirred, and Sam elbowed him hard in the face. The monk passed out again.
Dessie wiped more blood off her face. Life had gotten way too outlandish.
Chapter Thirty
Garrett wiped blood off his hands and exited the interrogation room to find his father waiting somewhat patiently, pounding one finger against a tablet. “Hey.”
Talen looked up from where he sat at a table in the long hallway. Stone covered the ceiling and walls, while the floor was smooth cement, and he looked at home in the stark environment. His black hair nearly reached his shoulders, and today he wore dark jeans and a white T-shirt. “I hate these things.” He tossed the tablet carelessly at the opposing wall, where it shattered. “Crap.”
Garrett grinned, even though his hands were stinging from the Kurjan’s blood. The guy hadn’t taken long to break, and Garrett still needed to burn off some energy.
“What did you find out?” Talen stood, tall and broad. Danger hovered around him as naturally as if it were a part of him, and in the dim light, his golden eyes looked like molten coins.
“Not much. The guy is low-level and doesn’t know anything about strategy or Stoneton Hills Academy.” Not that Garrett had expected him to have intel. “His orders were to kill us. Said Yvonne had given the order. She’s the current Intended of Ulric.” He shook his head, frustration coating his throat.
Talen rubbed the whiskered shadow on his jaw. “How does Yvonne know about her?”
“I don’t know. The Kurjans obviously do, and they treat Yvonne like a queen. She surely has access to all of their intel.” And the woman wanted Dessie dead. “I think we’re going to have to reach out to spies we have in the Kurjan holdings.” Although now was the absolute worst time to burn any of their assets.
“Already did,” Talen said, clapping him on the shoulder with a hand larger than a dinner plate. “I’ll have somebody else take care of the Kurjan. For now, you and I need to talk.”
Garrett strode with his father up several flights of stairs to the main floor of the lodge. “I need to check on Dessie.”
“She’s in seventh heaven in the ancient library with Hope and Janie.” Talen’s hold didn’t relent. “Your mom is making cookies, and we’re going to see her. She’s missed you and needs more time than the few minutes you spent together the other day.”
“I’ve missed her, too.” The library was as safe a place as Dessie could be in the holdings, and he had no doubt there were guards posted in every direction. Dessie would be protected for now. Especially if she didn’t go to sleep.
They walked out into autumn sunshine and turned right toward the houses sprawled along the lake. He nodded to several patrolling soldiers. “We’ve upped our security.”
“Of course.”
He sighed. “Dessie isn’t a threat.”
“Sure she is. The woman nearly killed you, and we don’t know what other triggers she might have.” Talen eyed the trees on the other side of the street. “I know she’s not armed, but we’re not taking chances. I have several men in the library guarding them. Plus, the Kurjans want her dead, which is a new one on us. They usually want to take women. So there’s probably something in her blood they want concealed for good, and I want to know what it is.”
“So do I,” Garrett said, also scanning the treeline. It felt good to be home and right to be talking things over with his father. They understood each other. “But I won’t allow her to be harmed.”
They passed several homes, all decorated with autumn colors. A few pumpkins were already appearing.
“I want to know everything about the Seven,” Talen said quietly.
“I know. I’ve forced a vote with the Seven, and I think I’ll win. The Realm needs to be brought in, although you know almost everything now anyway.” Garrett wouldn’t bet against his father and uncle knowing the entire situation, except for the fact that Hope was the Lock. They’d be furious, and he couldn’t blame them. “I want to tell you everything, but you need to accept my decisions. All of them.”
Talen’s chin tipped up. “There’s a reason you think I won’t.”
Garrett didn’t answer.
They were quiet as they strode beyond several more lawns littered with crackling golden and red leaves.
“You’re my son, and I’m proud of you.” Talen paused to retrieve a soccer ball from his driveway. “But if you think I’m going to let you sacrifice yourself to avoid some stupid ritual that shouldn’t exist in the first place, then you’ve lost your fucking mind.”
