6. A Fate Worse than Death
6
A Fate Worse than Death
Caspian
Geneva and Mitchell stand when I enter the room, the heavy chains on their wrists and ankles clattering with the movement.
“Oh, thank the gods! We’re so grateful you’ve come,” Geneva gushes. “Your brother wouldn’t listen to reason.”
“He was terribly disrespectful,” Mitchell adds.
“You wouldn’t believe the things he said to us, the questions he asked…”
Mitchell nods in agreement with his wife before adding to her claim. “He treated us like common criminals! Having us hauled from our home with our neighbors staring. Do you have any idea the kinds of rumors that will be circulating after this?”
I stand there, staring at them both when they stretch their wrists toward me, expecting their shackles to be unlocked. A lesser version of myself would’ve already beheaded them off principle alone, but… their niece’s compassion is all that’s given me pause.
“She’s fine, by the way.”
They both frown, seemingly confused by my statement.
“Pardon me?” Geneva says, just as puzzled as ever.
“I’m talking about Annalise. She nearly lost her life, and I just thought you’d like to know she’s recovering.” I study their expressions, searching for any hint of concern.
Mitchell seems to sense my disappointment before his wife, adjusting his expression to feign concern. “Yes, of course. We’ve been worried sick about her. We asked your brother for an update on her condition but he?—”
“Bullshit,” I cut in, taking slow steps toward them. “You never asked about her once. Since you’ve arrived, you’ve only thought about how to save your own asses. Annalise’s wellbeing hasn’t even been an afterthought tonight or any other, because you’ve never cared about her.”
“I beg your pardon?” Mitchell says with an offended gasp. “That’s quite a lofty accusation coming from the man who so eagerly purchased her to add to his sick collection.”
I shake my head, wondering if he even hears himself. “As the man who knowingly sold her to me, believing those were my intentions… I’m not sure that’s a stance you’d like to take in this argument.”
He stammers a few times when he seems to realize he’s only dug himself into a deeper hole. Then, he looks to his wife to bail him out.
“We’ve only ever wanted the best for Annalise. But when her grandfather’s stipend ended, we simply couldn’t afford to continue caring for her. I’m sure you can understand that.”
Circling them, I nod. “I think I understand quite perfectly. You considered Annalise a part of your family, right up until having her around stopped being profitable. The moment her presence stopped funding your lavish lifestyle, she became a burden.”
“No, we?—"
“And you’re right. For the most part, I’ve been no better, putting a dollar sign on her freedom. But the difference between you and me is that I’ve only had her in my home a fraction of the time she was in yours, and I’m already aware of her value. And if you two had the good since the gods gave you, you’d understand like I do that… she’s priceless.”
There’s a loaded silence between us, and it isn’t until Mitchell and Geneva’s heads lower that I truly believe they’ve gotten it, seen the err of their ways.
“Now, it seems your fate has been left for me to decide,” I say with a sigh. “As I’m sure you can imagine, several options have run through my head this evening. I could leave you here to rot like the filth that you are…”
Geneva’s mouth pops open as a soft, high-pitched squeal sputters up from her throat instead of actual words.
“Or… execution is, of course, on the table. Considering the uncertainty surrounding your knowledge of your daughter’s plan.”
“We—”
“However…” I cut Mitchell off before he digs himself into an even deeper hole. “Your niece—the one you so easily discarded—seems to still hold some sort of affection for you. While I don’t understand it, I’m inclined to respect it. Because I respect her. ”
Mitchell squares his shoulders when I come to a stop in front of him, watching as he swallows deeply. He tries to blink away the fear filling his eyes, but it’s too late. I’ve seen it, and I know he’s likely very close to pissing himself.
“I’m letting you live. This time,” I add gravely. “But don’t test my patience. Should another incident arise, I won’t be taking Annalise’s feelings into consideration. I will act swiftly, and I will certainly act harshly.” I step closer to Mitchell, holding his gaze. “Something tells me she’d eventually find it in her heart to forgive me.”
I pause to stare deep into their eyes, only continuing when I see they’ve understood.
“Guards will escort you home. They’ll remain on the premises in rotating shifts for the foreseeable future, ensuring that you two stay put. There will be no coming and going without my say so.”
“You’re placing us on house arrest?” Geneva snaps.
“And Winifred will be joining you,” I add. “Your phone calls and mail correspondence will all be heavily monitored. Should you hear anything helpful regarding your daughter, Elizabeth—especially concerning her whereabouts—it would be in your best interest to contact me.”
“But, Alpha, you can’t seriously think we were involved in this. I shutter to think what stories the community would concoct if word spread that we’re affiliated with such a ghastly operation. We’d be the laughing stock of all New Eden.”
The bad thing is, outside of Annalise’s belief in their innocence, Geneva’s obsession with her reputation is the only reason I’m inclined to believe she’s telling the truth.
Sighing, I shake my head at the Lark’s idiocy.
“I’ll have you escorted home shortly.”
“Please, Alpha. I beg of you… please don’t do this.”
Geneva’s plea stops me when I start toward the door. Meeting her gaze, I offer my favorite solution as an alternative.
“It’s late, and I’d much rather get back to your niece, but I could postpone my return to her for a late-night execution if you’d prefer it.”
The low growl as my wolf begins to hunger for her death has Geneva taking a step back, eyeing me with fear swimming in her expression.
“N—No, Sir. You’ve been quite fair in your ruling. Forgive me.”
I stare her down, considering how easily it would be to separate her head from the rest of her body, but again, it’s Annalise’s kindness that stops me.
“Do yourselves a favor and stay as far away from the High Chamber as you possibly can. I can’t guarantee I won’t kill you unprovoked the next time I lay eyes on you.”
I knock twice, letting the guard know I’m finished here.
It’s been a long night, but sometimes, taking out the trash can’t wait until morning. However, now that this business with the Larks is settled, I can finally get back to what truly matters.
The one bright spot in my dark, treacherous world.
Annalise.