62. Conrad
T hree weeks. Three tortuous weeks.
There’s been no sign, nothing beyond that awful tape. I know they’re waiting for me to just do what they want, but I also know if I do it, I still won’t get her back. The Esau don’t work like that, they don’t behave like that. And the fact that Brynn is an Asher, no, they’ll never willingly hand her over. If I want her, I have to find her.
And that feels near impossible.
I clench my fists, letting out a snarl, and it’s only by pure luck that the noise doesn’t carry.
I’m in the Cathedral, surrounded. Far below I can see my brother performing another damned ritual.
She’s gone. Move on.
Those words echoed in my head, as if Brynn was just a thing to brush under the carpet and forget about.
He has an almost bored expression on his face as he stands, draped in nothing but a black cloak. The same style cloaks as the ones from that recording.
It makes me want to strangle him.
It makes me want to lash out.
All of this is because of him.
My sacrifices are for him, and yet he has the audacity to look fucking bored?
His physical prowess is undeniable. Beyond the robes, he’s completely naked and everyone here can see exactly what he’s packing.
I glanced at Titus, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the difference.
Ahead of them lay two massive baths filled with blood. This ritual was meant to be a grim test of endurance and faith. The Blood Baptism, they called it. Many times in the past, a man had balked at this, had turned tail and run, proving they weren’t fit to lead us.
Titus had already performed his. He’d stayed under just long enough to get his hair wet, then he’d half spluttered through the second part.
Magnus on the other hand, looked almost serene as he stepped into it, as that liquid pooled around his body. The sight was grotesque. I was grateful for the mask covering my face so no one would see my grimace.
He sunk down, onto his knees, and then lay back before allowing himself to slip beneath the surface. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he failed, if he drowned in that sea of blood. Would they release Brynn, if Magnus died right here?
Somehow, I doubted it.
As Magnus was lifted back out he barely gasped, showing an unnerving control over his own body.
What would our father think if he could see him now? I know he had great plans, I know he was just as ambitious as Magnus is, and I also know that was what got them killed. Both my parents paid the price. My father wasn’t as shrewd as Magnus. He didn’t have the kind of backing Magnus has, either.
And that’s what marks him out, what makes him stand out. Magnus is destined for greatness. We can all see it. No wonder the Esau are so scared of him.
As the priest signalled that the ritual was completed, a mass of cloaks stood up as one, and I couldn’t help feeling that this whole spectacle was a farce, a waste of time that could be better spent searching for Brynn. But Magnus had forced my attendance and just like every other time, Magnus got what he wanted.
My hand gripped the dagger hidden beneath my cloak.
I could end this charade right here.
I could literally see my future flash before me, a future where I killed him, just as the Esau’s wanted.
But that future held no appeal for me.
I would be condemned, locked away, and I’d never see Brynn again.
No, I needed another way, a way to save her and ensure Magnus beats them.
This place feels hollow. Empty.
Even the screams sound off.
I know the extra guards have rather spoiled the mood, but I can’t afford to lose control of Oblivion. I won’t be the first Blake in a thousand years to allow such a thing.
This place has become my temporary home since my real one was destroyed. There’s an apartment here, fully secured. Though our recent family didn’t utilise it. It needs renovating, upgrading. But right now, all I need is a bed anyway.
As I get to my office though, I notice a small wooden box on my desk. It’s the size of a hand. I have no idea how anyone could have gotten in to leave it. I open it quickly, and my stomach turns at the sight.
Inside is a cut up piece of tongue. It’s laying on a piece of velvet, like it’s some fucked up trophy. A bloodied note falls out onto the desk, its message a chilling threat: 'you should have taught your wife to shut up.'
My anger explodes and I slam my fist onto the desk, sending papers and objects flying.
They’re hurting her, hurting her more.
And not just hurting her, but hurting her in ways that couldn’t be fixed. That couldn’t be repaired.
If I had killed Magnus, then she would be okay now. True, I would be condemned but she would be free. For a moment, I contemplated it. I contemplated killing him, even though it would be the death of me.
But what was Brynn without me? What was my wife, if I wasn’t by her side?
No. That wasn’t the answer.
I grab my phone, dialling Antonio’s number. He picks up immediately, almost as if he’d been expecting me.
“Conrad, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Quit the pleasantries.” I snap back.
He sighs, and I hear that usual tone he saves just for me. “What do you want?”
“You know what I want,” I growl back.
“And you know your brother doesn’t want to help.” He states.
“What if I told you that if you don’t help me get Brynn back then I’ll do it, I’ll kill Magnus. I’ll kill my brother and then all your hard work will be for nothing.”
Antonio scoffed. “Conrad, please, we both know you’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” I say as I start pacing the room, “I don’t even need to be the one to wield the blade. All I have to do is tell Devin where Paitlyn is,” I begin, using my trump card. God, why hadn’t I thought of that before? “…What’s more, I think he’d be more than interested in knowing that Magnus knew it was a set-up. That Paitlyn wasn’t even involved, and yet he had her locked up and condemned all the same…”
“Conrad…”
I smirk, but I haven’t finished yet. Oh no, I’ve done my dirty work. I’ve done enough digging to be able to use this moment here to my advantage. If patience is a virtue, then I’m the most virtuous man on earth. “We both know how sensitive my brother is about that girl, imagine his reaction when he discovers that. I doubt the Brethren will be reassured if the Blake family turn on themselves. And add the fact that you fucked Paitlyn…” I pause, waiting to hear his reaction and the silence tells me everything . “Imagine his reaction to that little piece of information too…”
I didn’t know he had. I wasn’t certain of that, but the pieces fit so perfectly. Antonio served her then-husband, and we all knew what that man was like. How he abused his power. It’s probably why Paitlyn did what she did, why she murdered him.
“Alternatively,” I add, “You could help me get Brynn back and as a reward, I’ll give you something you want, something you really want…”
“And what is that?”
Yeah, I have the bastard, don’t I? “Grace Ratcliffe,” I say.
He scoffs but I hear the sound, the hint that he is flustered. “You and Titus were friends.” I state. “I don’t care what drove you apart, what little argument you had but by the time this is done, he’ll be dealt with, and his wife and daughter will go to Oblivion. We both know Grace is untouched, and Titus has put a high price on her virginity. A girl like that, she’ll go to auction and because of who her father is, everyone will want to fuck her. You do this for me, and you can have her. I’ll rig the damn thing. I’ll gift-wrap her for you, and you can do what you like, no questions asked.”
“And Magnus?” He says.
“What about him?”
“You’ll stop fighting him, stop causing issues? You’ll do whatever I say from now on without question.”
I smile, “I’ll be the perfect brother.” I declare, and it’s true. What issues would I have anyway, once my wife is returned? I can get back to the matter in hand, producing an heir. And Magnus, he can get back to focusing on the race for Chapter Lord.
“You got yourself a deal,” Antonio says.