Page 113 of Outcast’s Vow

“I can’t believe it,” Clement says.

Fabien is on a roll.

“The motherfucker killed my parents, disappeared, and now all these years later he’s doing it all over again? Unchecked?”

“Father is trying...”

Clement is cut off by an impassioned Fabien.

“What are the Elders doing, Clement? What has your father done? Two bodies now. Two dead men. How could they let it get this far? No evidence has been gathered. No arrests have been taken. No justice has been served. Are they going to let him roam free to continue his work? I mean, for fuck’s sake, they are supposed to be the most powerful of the most powerful, and they can’t take down one man?”

“Even more reason to suspect that we’re dealing with someone incredibly good. It could even be someone on the inside.”

Clement scoffs.

“No one in the Castaways could do something like this,” he says. “No one in our history has betrayed the Order like this. Sure, men can be ambitious, but our vetting processes are too strong. Our loyalties are too deep. It would take someone truly soulless to do this. Twice.”

“Some men will do anything for their ambitions,” Fabien remarks. “We can’t underestimate anyone.”

“I’m going to speak to Elwood,” I announce. “I think we can all agree we’re tired of the Castaways’ inaction.”

The boys approve, and we end the call.

I turn back to Sylvie. She’s watching me. She heard every word I said.

I don’t need to say a thing.

“Go,” she whispers. “You’re the best person to talk to Father. You’re married to his daughter. He’ll listen to you.”

* * *

I roar through the city’s streets to Elwood’s skyscraper on my motorcycle, not stopping for anything.

Once there, I tear off my helmet and march into the lobby of the office.

But just as I enter, the doors to Elwood’s private elevator on the other side of the lobby slide open and out emerges Leopold Anguish. The Castaways Elder immediately spots me, and a snarl forms on his pristine features.

He steps forward to block my way.

“Ah, Baptiste,” Leopold scowls. “Trust me, you’re not getting up there.”

“I want to speak to the Supreme Elder.”

“He’s busy.”

“You’ve heard about Beckett?” I ask the Elder, anger rising in my veins.

Leopold’s mouth curves in a pleased warning.

“Don’t worry your pretty head with any of that, Baptiste. The adults are dealing with it. But I have something else for you now. It’s fortunate I could run into you.”

From his pocket, Leopold produces a sealed letter. With a flourish, he hands it to me.

“What is this?” I ask, staring down at the familiar Castaways seal.

“This is a task for you, Mr. Tremblay,” Leopold explains. “Commissioned by the Castaways. I told you at your wedding that we’ll have a task for you, and this one shall be perfect for a man of your skills. You still ski, correct? That’s what you did for your sweet little honeymoon, isn’t it?”

I ignore his taunts and insults.