“I am just grateful to live up to the Triune’s standards,” Adria said.
“To be honest, we didn’t think you had it in you,” Sean said over Helen’s shoulder. Voice lowered, he said, “But we are all thankful that you were able to crack him.”
Adria noticed his eyes didn’t leave Callen’s direction.
“She is the best,” Helen said. “I hope we are able to remember that the next time her reputation is called into question.”
The words of affirmation drew Adria’s gaze.
“Thank you, Helen,” she said, inclining her head.
Sean said, “Well now, Jonathan’s sure changing his tune, isn’t he? Less than a year ago he wouldn’t stop going on about it, and now—not a word out of him.”
Adria glanced around the space, catching Jonathan’s form.
After she had sold Bryson, Seth, and Kaydon two months ago, she had gotten to work shutting down the underage brothelJonathan frequented in Chicago. The few weeks it had taken were a welcome distraction from their absence.
Her contacts assured her Jonathan hadn’t left his house except to attend family business. And although Adria was sure she would kill him, she didn’t want to do anything until the boys were home safe.
Home safe.
Adria forced herself not to think about it. If Bryson and his brothers wanted to see her, they knew where to find her.
Excusing herself, she moved to the pool’s edge and knelt down, dipping her fingers into the dark waters. Her father’s golden ring caught the dim light as it hovered just above the surface. The metal pressed against her skin; it felt just as unyielding as the frigid waters. Adria drew her wet fingertips to her forehead, leaving a cool blessing against her skin.
“We are the darkness behind the light,” she whispered to herself, before standing.
Etched on the walls behind the pool were the family’s marks. Adria’s eyes moved to her family’s ram. Etched into the wall just under the Lovetts family’s Celtic knot and only a few marks away from Callen Winters’ symbol.
The intricate snowflake carving showed that it was as much for show as it was calculated. The Winters were known for being more than meets the eye, and the Federovs had a reputation for gaining holds and never letting go.
Markings upon the cavern wall revealed the number of families throughout the span of generations. Adria wondered, who might mark these walls after ten years?
One hundred?
What would the world look like long after they were gone?
Eric stood at the far end of the cavern talking with Diarmuid. Adria noticed the dark ink shining on the right side of Diarmuid’s neck.
Brass knuckles.
It seemed Sean had solidified his decision to mark Diarmuid as his Vice Regent or second in command. Many of the families leaned on heirs to seed their dynasty, but others, in lieu of an heir, marked a successor.
Adria watched as the two spoke casually to one another. Eric was the taller of the two, and his tight black shirt strained against his muscles. He wore the same finger-length haircut that he had ten years ago. Shaved on one side, Eric quaffed it to the left. Adria watched as his salt-and-pepper beard broke out into a broad grin and he laughed at something Diarmuid said. She envied Eric’s ability to be friendly yet strong. No one questioned his motives or abilities. Adria didn’t know if that was because he was a man, or if it was just his personality.
When she had first hired him, Adria thought he would be like all the rest. A string of bodyguards that she kept on for only a year.
It was simpler that way. Fewer attachments.
But Eric was different.
She fought it. Denied it. And when she agreed to let him stay on for an additional year, she told herself that was the last one. But two years turned into three, and three turned into...a brand.
One thing Adria knew was that branding him with her winged sigil was the best decision she had ever made. Now over ten years together and she couldn’t imagine her life without his counsel and friendship.
Not wanting to be near Callen for longer than necessary, Adria stalled on taking her seat. Choosing instead to wander the cavern, saying her hellos and pretending to be interested in the chamber’s artistic features. On the far wall was an etching in the Nine’s cypher.
N zna’f yrtnpl vf qrgrezvarq ol ubj gur fgbel raqf.
