34. The Sinner
It’s been over a week since we rescued Zeke, but we lost Sammy once again. A week of waging war against the Brotherhood, with the rebel’s assistance, and murdering as many of the scum as I could. My kill count is now so high that I have lost track, but Abe assures me that I have surpassed past serial killer territory. Yet I’m no further ahead with leads on where Noah has gone to ground, or where my infant nephew may be stashed.
Frustration. Anger. Sorrow. Dread.Those are my constant companions now. I can’t take a single breath without the pain in my chest crushing me. The pain of losing Sammy once again, and knowing that they are torturing him because of me. I’m who they want to punish, but I’m out of reach.
My eyes peruse the room filled with rebel soldiers and leaders of their rebellion, except for the elusive mystery person, whom apparently I will finally meet tonight. Abe and Zeke stand at my side as sentinels, tense and on guard. Neither of them seems to trust the rebels, and that they won’t eventually turn on us, but right now, they are the best chance I have of getting Sammy back. I need an army, and I’m more than willing to use theirs, if it will assist me in rescuing him and my nephew.
They are both still not speaking to each other, but at least for the moment, they are not coming to blows, and all of the bruises and damage they left on each other’s faces are finally starting to heal. I warned both of them that I would have the rebels lock them up if they didn’t learn to cooperate again, and it wasn’t an idle threat. I’m sick of the two of them behaving like rabid dogs fighting over a bone.
Sarah Mercier is noticeably absent from tonight’s meeting, but we have received information that she has been taken in by the Rothesays, and is currently recuperating from her ordeal of watching her pathetic husband be murdered by the Unholy Ghost. She’s currently being cared for by Esther Rothesay at her husband’s orders. I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes and have to deal with that viper. I’ll be surprised if Esther is still breathing in the coming days, and I’ll cheer her on if she snaps her neck. Zeke might even join me; there is no love lost between him and his mother.
I’m watching everyone’s movements, tracking who may hold more sway than others, and trying to determine who is really a defender of the cause, and who is just here for power and glory. I note a few potentials, ones I may be able to sway to my side if this meeting goes to shit, and take note of the ones who will meet my blade before all of this is done. I won’t allow men or women to disguise their hunger for power behind the banner of freeing the oppressed.
Zeke meets my eyes and nods, and I know the observant asshole has taken note of a few too. The three of us discussed in private, away from listening ears, the possible outcome of today’s meeting. Our objective is self-serving, and while I do want to free the population from the Order, my first priority is Sammy and my nephew. While the rebels are enjoying my massacre of their enemies, and the fear that I have wrought through the Brotherhood ranks and the populace, I also fear they are wary of me. They know I can’t be manipulated and won’t be coerced into a Coup d’état. Not if it doesn’t serve my own agenda.
The room’s noise suddenly quietens as a raven-haired man in his early thirties walks amongst them, filled with confidence. He receives a few respectful nods from the leaders, and a wide berth from everyone else. Abe leans over my shoulder and breathes in my ear, “That’s the guy my mom introduced me to while you were in the coma, you know, the one.”
Guy? The one? What the fuck is this lunatic talking about?“What guy, Abe?” I grit the tense words through my teeth, as I keep my cold mask on my face to prevent those around us from seeing my panic.
He leans over me until he’s staring me in the face, and I see the confusion on Zeke’s face from the corner of my eye. Okay, so at least it’s not just me in the dark here. “The guy. The one my mom said was high up in the Holy Father’s entourage. She mentioned him, right? Told you he was in the room on your wedding night?”
A gasp leaves Zeke’s lips, and he quickly disguises it with a cough and moves closer to us. He crowds my personal space, and ensures that no one can read our lips by using his broad back to block out their view. I wrap my hand in the front of Abe’s shirt, choking him with the material as I yank him closer to my face. “Listen, you unhinged psycho, your mother never mentioned who he was. In fact, she went out of her way to tell me he didn’t want to meet me, and he made her promise that his identity remained undisclosed.” I pull harder on the material until his face starts to go red. “Yet you have known his identity all along, and never thought to mention it?”
Zeke’s strong fingers pry mine off of Abe’s shirt, and Abe steps back, taking a massive gulp of air. “I’m sorry, Atasi. I thought you knew. I would have told you if I had reason to believe my mom had hidden the truth from you. You never mentioned him, so I didn’t either.”
At the malice and fury in my face, he takes a further step back, his amber eyes widening and his hands rising to ward off any possible attack I’m going to launch his way. All this time, I have been wracking my brain, and searching for evidence of who the mystery man might be. Abe knew all along but didn’t think to tell me. I swear I’m surrounded by menaces.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s here now, and must have a reason for allowing Snow to see his identity. Also, I feel like I should punch his fucking lights out for watching me fuck you.” Zeke looks over his shoulder at the tall man making the rounds in the room, and moving closer to us with every confident step.
“I was there too. Are you going to punch my lights out?” Abe asks with humor, his eyes sparkling with provocation.
“Don’t fucking remind me, cunt. You sulked like a three-year-old brat who had lost his favorite toy to another child. And for your information, yeah, the minute we are out of here, I’m going to break your nose again.” Zeke releases an exasperated breath, looking away from Abe, who has a stupid grin on his face.
I roll my eyes at both their theatrics. These two are too much to handle on the best of days, but right now, I need to be focused and figure out the purpose of all the cloak-and-dagger shit this guy is pulling. I don’t have long to wait before he stands before me, tipping his head to Zeke, and giving Abe a polite smile that showcases his perfect white teeth.
If I wasn’t pissed at all the secrecy and hoops this fucker was making me climb through to meet him, I could admit, at least to myself, that he’s handsome. No, not just handsome, the word that comes to mind is regal. This man before me has the bearing of a king. The question is, where does he think his kingdom lies, and what purpose do I serve in his plans?
“Dinah, how lovely to see you well. You really did give us all a fright.”
My eyes maneuver over him, taking in his bronze complexion, expensive clothes, and the thick gold watch on his wrist. The diamond ring sparkling on his finger, which denotes him as a high-ranking Order official, and the raven hair that is styled to perfection. This man has never starved a day in his life. He is from the upper echelons of privilege, so why is he here?
His dark, chocolate-brown eyes meet mine and hold my stare unflinchingly, even as a smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. “Let’s cut the bullshit, shall we? How long have you known I was the Unholy Ghost, and more importantly, where is Samuel Wendover being held?”
A loud laugh bursts from him, the sound melodious as his eyes crinkle with the effort to contain his amusement. It catches the attention of those around us, and they turn to watch him as I clench my fists tightly, to prevent myself from punching this fucker right in his entitled nose.
Don’t hit him. Show fucking restraint and just don’t react, because that’s what he wants. He’s testing us to see how far he can push us. He may be able to get us a lead on Sammy or the boy, and if not, he can meet the end of our blade, my whispers in warning as I force my hands to unclench.
“I like you, Dinah. You have spirit and a ton of rage.” He leans forward, his face moving closer to mine, and Zeke growls at him deep in his throat, the sound making the hair at the back of my neck stand on end with its ferocity. “I see you got two of your devil hounds back. I was betting on you murdering that one.” He nods towards Zeke, and the man in question steps forward, ready to commit violence.
I give Zeke my eyes, showing him with my coldness that I don’t need, nor do I want, his assistance fighting my battles. He can save his prince charming act and savior complex for someone else who might be swayed by that bullshit, but it won’t be me.
“I am not your enemy, Dinah. In fact, you and I have a common goal.” His soft words slither down my skin, trying their hardest to project unity. If he thinks I’m buying his sincerity, he’s in for a rude awakening. I don’t trust him, and I certainly don’t trust his motives.
“And that is?” I question with a raised eyebrow and genuine curiosity.
“The destruction of the Brotherhood, and the liberation of our world as we know it.” He reaches out and grazes my jaw with the touch of his fingers, and in the next moment, all hell breaks loose when Abe grabs his hand and snaps those same fingers.
Ah, hell! Here we go!