“More acceptable. Enticing. Righteous. Do not lie. You wouldn’t have turned Lucian over to the magistrates.”
“I would have handled it. Quietly. My way.”
“Your punishment. Your justice. Butyouwould not have allowed him to be tried in the courts and hanged.”
“I would try to do the same for you, John,” I said softly.
The vow marks pulsed back.Trust. Holding. Here.
“We could kill her now, Gabriel.” The eager, pleading look was so strange on his face that I had to force myself not to take a step away. “Together.”
My gaze brushed his sleeve. “You believe I will do it. That I will help you finish it.”
“I hope.” The blade fully materialized. “It’s a funny thing, to have hope. I easily have revenge. Justice. Friendship. But hope is a precious thing.”
He stroked the grip. “I left it to fate. Whether you would stay ignorant, join me, or be my downfall.” His eyes completely focused on me, his gaze piercing. “Are you my brother or my enemy, Gabriel?”
“I am your brother in life, John.” My stomach hurt. My throat hurt. My heart hurt. “But I am your enemy in this.”
His teeth clenched, his lips trying to form expression and failing, pushing together into a straight line instead. “I see. This is rather an awkward moment, in that case. Will you at least step aside?”
He glanced to Marietta, as if suddenly realizing that she was still in the room. A true gift. “Your brother will be released. I meant for it to happen with Octavia’s death. There is no real reason they can hold him. And we can give them Worley, if it comes to that. I’ve been helping Worley evade Gabriel this week, just to keep things interesting. To keep on track. To get the journals.”
“Alcroft,” she whispered.
“Come, Marietta, you know it to be true.”
“John, leave her alone.” Steel this time. Not even encased in satin.
John smiled faintly. “She is good for you, Gabriel. I won’t harm her.” He looked across the desk. “However, I do ask that you not stand in my way.”
“John, I can’t—”
“No, Gabriel! Do not disappoint me.”
I positioned myself to intercept him, his eyes gone wild, his mouth tight—his body lines pitched for battle.
The door slammed open. The household spells wrenched free of John’s grip, stifling and absolute, as High Lord Steelcrest stepped into the room, cloak snapping, my father and Lucian behind him. Listening in secret this whole time, no doubt.
My fingers curled into fists as Arthur Dresden sauntered in behind.
John stepped back, the nightmare blade dropping to his side. “High Lord Steelcrest.”
“Lord Alcroft. I am very disappointed in you.”
“I am as well, Lord Alcroft,” Melissande said, smoothing her hands over her dress and rising. Six dark glares focused on her.Dresden’s expression was unreadable. “One would think after all we did, taking you in—”
“Silence, woman.” Steelcrest’s voice was flat. “I will deal with you later.”
She jerked back, bumping into a display case. “I can explain—”
“Silence,” he roared.
The High Lady of Steelcrest and Nightshade visibly shrank, her eyes wide, a thin band of excitement in their depths. I curled my lip.
“High lord,” John said. “I beg you to understand—”
“As much as I am…displeased…with what I’ve heard, and with my wife, Alcroft, I cannot allow you to harm her.”
