Page 99 of Never the Same

“I’ve had the same recurring dream ever since I woke up in that coffin. Even when I try to remember something while I’m awake, my brain always pushes the same fake memory to the surface to block me from doing so. It’s always Jason in the dream.”

Gideon joined Julian in his somber look before hanging his head. Eyes closed, a gruff breath filled the quiet.

“What is it?” Jason asked before I could get it out.

Julian tore his hands through his hair, disheveling it even more. “You just confirmed it was great-grandfather’s drug that was used. You didn’t mention this to us before. Now we know for sure the book wasn’t destroyed in that fire, and I was really hoping it was.”

Gideon slowly lifted his head. “There’s a fail-safe with the formula, a way to prevent anyone from trying to use any mind control substances or hypnosis to undo the effects of the drug. Once the substance is injected, and while it’s flowing through you, you’re supposed to picture a safe place.” He zeroed in on Jason, jaw tight. “You’re supposed to think of something that gives you peace and someone you love.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Reed

I wasn’t sure what to think or believe, and yet, if Julian was saying what I think he was . . .

“But I didn’t inject myself. I wouldn’t know to think that . . .”

“Exactly, which means someone has the book and gave you instructions to do that after they drugged you,” Julian finished for Hollis.

My heart was racing, because while this was horrible, it was also—

“I chose you before.” Hollis spun toward me. “I created that dream myself.” She launched herself into my arms.

Gideon stared at me over her shoulder as I rubbed her back, giving her a moment. I’d expected his silence to press like a threat, but it never did. Instead, he almost looked relieved to see his sister in my arms.

“Why do you seem so bloody worried it was that drug specifically?” Sebastian must have picked up on something I missed; I was too focused on Hollis and the fact she’d created that picture of us married with kids all on her own.

“Because,” Gideon began as Hollis left the comfort of my arms to face him, “it’s irreversible. It was designed to be that way, to protect and safeguard whatever secret was worth drugging oneself in the first place. That’s why we hoped it wasn’t that drug.”

Now their sketchiness about it made sense, but . . . “No.” The word came out like a gutshot reaction. “I refuse to accept that.” I pointed at Julian. “If you two can work together to save the footage that is supposed to be deader than dead, then you can create an antidote for this damn drug.”

“I’m not a scientist, I’m sorry.” Julian covered a hand over his heart as mine tried to break free from my chest. “The only one who took after our great-grandfather was . . .”

“Fucking A,” Ryder cursed. “You’re going to say Tristan, aren’t you?”

Neither Gideon nor Julian confirmed Ryder’s question, but their silence was an answer.

“Diana,” Carter said, stroking his jawline almost absentmindedly. “If anyone can come up with a cure, it’s my wife. But she’ll need the book to see the original math for it.”

Gideon nodded. “The sooner we get to work, the better. Kylo’s family is returning to their home base in England tonight, and they’ll begin searching for him as well. If Kylo’s not with the Putcheskis, and he’s still out there, we’ll find him.” He gestured to his brother. “We need the footage from both Rome and České Budějovice to expedite the search.”

Julian turned to Gwen. “Where do you want to set up?” His words were calm and flat, unlike earlier.

Gwen didn’t answer right away. There was a slight shift in the temperature of the room as she quietly stared at him, like she was on the trust fence and uncertain.

“I’m sorry I kept my identity hidden from you,” Julian said in a near grunt, like the words were being ripped from his mouth against his free will. “There. Better?”

“Hardly.” Gwen picked up a key from the table and dropped it into his palm. “We can go to your suite. It’s two doors down from your sister’s.”

Julian curled his fingers around the key. “And do you plan on ripping into me when we’re alone? It’ll fuck with my focus.”

“We wouldn’t want to do that, now, would we?” Gwen shook her head, then looked around the room as if remembering she had eyes on her, then abruptly started for the exit.

Gideon slapped a hand over his brother’s shoulder, stopping his pursuit, whispered something in his ear, and then Julian left.

“You have room on that bird for Alex and me to join you?” Ryder asked, his question clearing some of the tension left behind by Gwen and Julian.

“There is.” Carter glanced at Sebastian. “You go with them, I’ll stay back and call my wife. She’s in Dubai right now. I’ll update her on the situation.” He had his phone in his hand and was already leaving before anyone could respond.