“Jaxon would never hide from anyone, you know that,” I snapped back.Only from me, I thought bitterly, defending my treacherous brother.
“Right, and who is she? His whore?” Aria spat.
A growl escaped my lips before she could finish, and she flinched back, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Leave,” I said, my voice low and menacing. The space between us seemed to crackle with energy, and people around us shifted uneasily, moving away from us.
“Apologies,” Aria said, her voice clipped. She gave a curt nod, confusion lining her features as she stepped aside and stormed toward the exit.
Zara had been watching the exchange. Her brows furrowed as her gaze settled on me. I kept my expression guarded, and she seemed to flinch, her eyes darting away as she rubbed her arm. The charm wrapped around her wrist caught the light, and she shook off whatever had just happened, turning back to her conversation with Julian.
“Xavier!” A booming voice came from my right. I turned to see Gunnar approaching, his broad grin accompanied by the jingling of charms and shells strung through his clothing.
“Gunnar,” I greeted, offering a small nod. “I trust you’re enjoying the pulp wine. I had a fresh batch made just for you.”
Gunnar let out a hearty belly laugh, his entire frame shaking as the various trinkets adorning him clinked together in response.
He wore a light blue naval jacket adorned with gold buttons and war medals, which hung proudly from his chest. His thick, graying hair, which fell to his mid-chest, was woven with shells and charms. More dangled from chains draped across his belt, a tradition of Niverrian pirates.
“I am indeed.” Gunnar beamed, taking a deep swig from his glass. But as he set it down, the warmth drained from his face. His cheerful demeanor hardened into an unreadable expression, and he leaned in closer, his voice low and measured. “I have the books Julian mentioned. Is there somewhere private we can talk?”
I kept my expression neutral as Gunnar’s words sank in. “We should wait until tomorrow,” I muttered, knowing it would be wiser, but Gunnar’s grim tone cut through my suggestion.
“I don't think you want me to divulge this information in front of everybody,” he replied, his voice low. I gave him a brief nod,glancing toward Julian. He’d been watching our conversation from the corner of his eye, always sharp. He met my gaze, and with a subtle nod, he rose and moved toward the band. Zara, however, was oblivious, lost in her wine.
Damn it. I should’ve told Julian to keep her away from the pulp wine.
The band broke into a lively, fast-paced melody, drawing the crowd's attention. People gravitated toward the dance floor, and with everyone distracted, we slipped out unnoticed, heading straight for my study where we could speak in private.
Once the door clicked shut behind us, Gunnar let out a deep sigh. “I'm sorry, Xavier. I didn’t know.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Didn’t know what?”
He hesitated, his voice lowering. “Your brother… When Julian inquired about the books, I began to piece it together. Your brother came to me nearly a year ago, asking about older magic. It all seemed innocent at the time—curiosity, nothing more—but now… I fear I may have unknowingly given him the tools to do what he did.” Gunnar's voice trailed off, and he avoided my gaze. “He took your magic, didn’t he?”
I stared at him, stunned. My only response, a nod.
“Xavier,” Gunnar said, finally meeting my eyes, his tone filled with remorse, “I swear I didn’t know what he was planning. If I had—” He trailed off, not seeming to know how to end that sentence.
I exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the old man's fault, no matter how irritated I may be at this new information. He wasn’t to blame, not entirely. The knowledge was out there, and Jaxon was nothing if not determined. Whether through Gunnar or someone else, he would have found a way. “Jaxon did it, not you,” I said flatly, sinking into my chair behind the desk. Gunnar mirrored the movement, settling into the one opposite me.
“But I gave him the knowledge, Xavier, and I am ashamed,” he admitted, his head lowering in regret, but before I could respond, he spoke again. “I can fix it, though. I can reunite your magic.”
For a brief moment, hope flared in my chest—until he continued, extinguishing it as quickly as it had come.
“I just need Jaxon and the charm he used, and I can transfer the magic back.”
My jaw clenched. “Jaxon isn’t in this realm,” I said, watching his eyes widen in alarm, his entire body going rigid.
“You can’t mean…”
“That’s why I brought you all here,” I confirmed, my voice low and dangerous. The implications of my brother's actions hung heavy in the air, and the room felt smaller under the weight of it all.
“It has to be all connected,” Gunnar muttered, mostly to himself, his gaze distant.
“You think my brother is working with the witches?” I barked, my anger rising at the mere suggestion. The thought of Jaxon betraying us even further made my blood boil.
Gunnar shook his head quickly. “No, not knowingly, I don’t think. But I believe there’s more to the witches' plans than simply gaining access to more blood.” His eyes grew distant as if his mind already followed a thread of thoughts too complex to share fully.
