As Bastien left the room, he passed by his other uncle, Jackson, in the hallway. Much shorter than Bastien, Jax barely reached his shoulders. With brown twinkling eyes, he’d inherited all the humor his other siblings lacked, and was by far Bastien’s favorite of his parents’ siblings.
They exchanged a subtle head nod before Jax stepped around him and went into the study to see Barnabas.
The moment he did, a peculiar sensation went down Bastien’s back like a phantom chill.
Weird. He had no explanation for that. Other than gross paranoia.Maybe I need to take up Jullien’s drug habit.For the first time in his life, he was beginning to understand why his cousin had the problems he did. ’Cause right now, he didn’t want to face any part of this reality.
***
Barnabas narrowed his gaze on his brother as Jax shut and locked the door. “What are you doing?”
“Wanted to see if you needed any backup with the spoiled little punk.”
“No. I’ve got it.” But as soon as his younger brother neared him, Barnabas backhanded him.
Hissing, Jax wiped at the blood on his lips. “What the hell?”
“Thatlittle punkoverheard your report to the Eudorans about his family and their habits and you almost outed us. Are you completely stupid?”
“How did he hear it?”
“Hell if I know. Let this be a warning to you. He’s not his sa or Quin. Don’t underestimate that littleknœttr. He’s smarter than he looks. Our only saving grace is that he’s lazier than shit, and more trusting than a newborn babe. No one takes him seriously. Thank God. If he’d had an ounce of anyone’s trust or any concept that someone might actually not like him, they’d be searching for you right now.”
“They’re not?”
Barnabas shook his head. “I talked him down and put it to rest. Just be more careful and make sure you know where he is before you send any more reports to your contacts. And for the love of the gods, use a secured line next time.” He moved to pour himself another drink. “So how did it go?”
“Perfect. They have no problem leaving you in as a governor once we do this. You help them take out Newell and put down any residual rebellion, and the throne’s all yours.”
“And what about you, theren?”
“What, what about me?”
“Have you a problem with my being on the throne in Newell’s place?”
“The only thing I have a problem with is the fact that Newell left me and my platoon for dead before he signed the Eudoran truce. I haven’t forgotten that. Payback’s a bitch. And this bitch wants to see him and his entire brood in the ground.”
CHAPTER3
Bastien slowed as he neared the cold, sterile room where Alura’s family had already gathered. He’d been out on a long patrol with his sister when the emergency call had come in that his wife was in the hospital.
Lil took his hand to let him know she was with him as they entered the herd of stern-faced Wyldestarrins. As typical, Ember ignored him completely. Huddled between her sisters, he couldn’t see anything more than the top of her head.
Cinder’s wife, Tasi, was the first one to greet him. She stepped forward with a sad smile. “Hey, Bas.”
“What happened?”
Tasi glanced to Lil before she met his gaze. Her brown eyes showed the depth of her sympathy. “She went to her doctor’s appointment for her checkup and they admitted her.”
“Okay…” He waited for her to continue.
Brandon came forward. “The doctor wants to speak to you,burr.”
When Lil started to go with him, Brandon stopped her. “He wanted a private consultation.”
“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not leaving mytherenalone for something this important. He needs family with him.”
“We’re his family.”
