Page 150 of Outcast’s Vow

“You do know Sylvie’s angry at you?” I ask him.

There’s a tightness around the edges of Elwood’s lips.

“Of course she is,” he replies. “But I don’t want to lose her, Baptiste. I have tried my best to give her a good life, but maybe my methods have been wrong.”

“Maybe you should be more of a father to her than a dictator trying to control her life,” I say calmly.

If the words sting, Elwood doesn’t show it. Instead, he approves with a sigh and turns to the skyline.

“Yes, maybe I should.”

“I did what I had to do in that mansion because there was no other choice,” I say. “I love your daughter, and I would do anything for her. That’s all there is to it.”

Elwood turns back to me. His intense eyes remain steady on mine for a moment before he slowly nods.

“That’s all I needed to hear,” he replies. “You treat her right, Baptiste. I am an old man who is unable to change himself, and the one thing I regret in my life is not... caring enough, especially my daughter. I hope you don’t go down the same path.”

I say nothing. There is no need for me to say anything to Elwood.

“I’m here today because the Elders want you back,” he says.

The words linger in the air.

And even I am shocked.

“They want me back? Back into the Castaways?”

“Yes.”

“What about Leopold? What does he want? I don’t know if you saw it, but he had strong views yesterday.”

“Leopold can be loud,” Elwood replies diplomatically, “but he’s been outvoted in this matter. He’ll have to learn to hold his tongue.”

“Why?” I ask. “Why would you need me?”

“Your task in Europe showed your effectiveness, and your display at the mansion has spread across the Order. Members are looking up at you.”

I lean back in my chair.

Sylvie.

What would she say? What would she think if she heard what her father is offering me now?

Being in Castaways is all I ever dreamed about, but what about my wife?

The temptation to complete my childhood dreams...

Rejoining could help us. It could give us the safety we need. Sylvie could use that power to help others, just as she dreams.

“I’ll think about it,” I reply.

Elwood’s eyebrows lift. He’s not had anyone say something like that to him for a very long time.

And especially not about being admitted into the Castaways.

“You’ll think about it?”

“The last few weeks have been a lot.”