Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
DEVYN
I stride from the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind me, and rest my head against it.
V’s getting worse, even with round-the-clock care from Xander, Avril, and me.
I thought his sister would lose her mind when we brought her in to see him, needing another set of hands so that we could keep our focus on Gage, but after turning sheet-white for a moment, she buckled down and took over as though it was second nature.
I’m still not sure I completely trust her—especially after what I discovered—but there’s no way to fake the genuine terror splaying across her face. Either she’s a spectacular actress or she truly isn’t involved in this.
But I’ll keep my eye on her all the same.
My phone vibrates again, reminding me that Xander is waiting for me—the only reason why I’ve left Avril alone here with her brother.
I grumble to myself as I head down the stairs and snag my bike.
Fuck, I pray I’m right in trusting Avril, or she’ll be using the opportunity to slit the sick bastard’s throat.
I’ve never been comfortable with people, not like Xander. Even before his creature was revealed, he wanted to be in politics. Xander and I may be twins, but we couldn’t be further apart in our personalities.
Oh, it isn’t like Xander is an angel to my devil. Absolutely not. The man is just as twisted as I am. Hell, with half of what he wants to do to my bunny, I’d say he’s far more twisted than I am. But unlike my brother, I’m incapable of wearing the political mask.
My darkness, my passion, my wildness… Those can’t be hidden the way his can as he toys with others, playing the long game and expertly manipulating people where he wants them to go. I’m all rage and brute strength in comparison.
I’m damn good at my job, though, and have more than one favor to cash in. Those favors are what have me pulling up to the FIB headquarters and nodding at the doorman as I leave my bike parked at the front.
I won’t be more than a few minutes, and Steve will keep an eye on it for me.
It only takes me a minute to reach the Director’s office. Her lips purse as I step inside, her brows arching into a deep V as she takes me in.
“Close the door,” she snaps, her pen keeping up a rhythmic tap against the desk.
I want to roll my eyes, but I do as she says, letting it seal shut and activate the privacy block I know she keeps on it.
“Do you want to tell me why I’m putting myself on the wrong end of a political nightmare?” If she had the power, I’m sure ice would have literally dripped from her lips with those words.
“’Cause it’s the right thing.” And truly, that’s what it all comes down to.
Lorena Milton—or Boss, as we all call her—may be a hard-ass. She may want to stay out of the political drama of the lords and ladies as much as possible, but she’s a good agent and leader.
Where others have run their role based on politics or prejudices, Boss has always worked off the evidence, and here, they don’t have any.
“You know as well as I do that he didn’t do this. There’s no reason for it,” I point out, though I don’t bother to settle into a chair in front of her. “Not to mention someone would have noticed if he managed to fuck with the heads of basically all of the most powerful supes in the area.”
Sera was furious with me for my stoicism, not realizing how badly it hurt me to disappoint her, but there was no point in stepping in then. The queen had been furious, too lost in the grief at what was happening to her middle daughter to focus on what was logical.
Gage doesn’t benefit from messing with the minds of the council, but someone wants her to think that. Someone wants the queen to be up in arms against Gage and the rest of us by extension.
Anyone who heard how Sera dealt with Kian’s abuser would know she would go off the handle if Gage was threatened. Sera wouldn’t care if she was up against a serial killer, the queen, or the gods themselves when it comes to someone she cares about.
Xander was quick to point out I’d need to grovel to get back in her good graces upon her return, and I’m not opposed. I bet my bunny could be very forgiving with my face between her thighs.
At the moment, though, I’m playing my part, setting things into motion behind the scenes and baring the brunt of my mate’s wrath so I don’t give the play away.
Boss sighs, leaning back in her chair and pressing her fingers against her eyes.
“You always bring me drama, Devyn,” she complains, shaking her head. “I thought with that serial killer dying, we’d finally get a break, but with the search for his killer, the dead bodies piling up in your family's yard, and now this…”
Her eyes are sharp and intense as they stare into mine.
“I can’t protect you forever,” she warns. “You’ve upset someone, and you need to find out who. You have the full backing of the FIB.”
She pauses there, considering me, and I know exactly what she isn’t saying.
I have the backing for the moment, but she can’t guarantee when that backing will shift. She may not play politics, but there are others she answers to who do.
And if I’m right, and someone close to the royal family is involved…
She presses a button on her desk, and a door pops open in the wall.
Gage steps out, his face pale, sweat sticking his hair to his skin, though his face remains stoic as he watches us.
“I am officially transferring custody of this prisoner over to you, Mr. Grayson,” she tells me, steepling her fingers together. “I know you will do your duty and ensure he is looked after. I feel he is too much of a threat to others in the population to house him here.”
Gage opens his mouth—likely to tell her he’s not a threat to anyone—but I shoot him a look.
I can hear his teeth grind from here, but he manages to stay silent as I incline my head to my boss. “Understood.”
“Dismissed!” she barks, and I open the door, ushering Gage out.
Xander is resting against my bike when we step outside, the midday sun nearly blinding where it glints off of my bike.
“You’re with me,” Xander tells him, indicating the car waiting behind my bike, and Gage gets in without another word. “Any problems?” Xander asks me, his shoulders stiff underneath his suit jacket.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder what it would take to ruffle him… Even on my best day, I can pull off scary motherfucker but not well put together. I’d rather shoot myself than wear a suit every day. Yet he thrives in it, taking to the role, to the power it provides, as easily as he breathes.
Some days it makes me just want to stab him.
Not like it’d be the first time…
Honestly, if we weren’t all so worried about Sera and the others, I’d be inclined to fuck with him. It really has been too long. But for right now, it’s only my duty keeping me glued here rather than chasing our mate to another realm.
“He’s getting worse.” I don’t need to say who the “he” is.
Xander’s expression barely changes, but I can see the minute tightening of his jaw. If Sera doesn’t return with answers soon, she may have one less mate to return to. Xander nods sharply, heading for the car, and I’m quick to follow.
When we arrive at Xander’s, Gage is clearly exhausted, but he doesn’t let it stop him as he jogs up the stairs beside us, with Xander quietly filling him in on the way. Avril is by the door when Xander unlocks it, strain digging deep lines into her face.
Our mate’s name is a harsh, broken echo on the air. It seems to be the only word he’s been able to say.
“He’s coughing up blood,” Avril tells us, holding up the bowl full of dirty cloths she was clearly changing out when we interrupted her. “I don’t…”
She pauses, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment as she collects herself.
Gage doesn’t wait for an invitation, pushing past her and heading for the other room. His eyes begin to glow as he settles into the chair next to the prince, his hands pressing firmly against his skin as his magic tracks over him.
“Avril, we need you to find out what you can about your sister.” Xander’s voice is firm as he drags Avril’s attention to him. “Your mother cannot know we have Gage out. Or about V. Do you understand?”
Avril snorts and shoves her hair back from her face. “We’re not in class now, Mr. Grayson. I’m well aware of what my mother would do if she found out and who would be happy to sell her the information. I may not care about politics, but I do care about Sera and my brother.”
Her eyes stray to the bed, as if she’s unable to look away. Under Gage’s ministrations, V’s breathing seems to be coming a little easier, and Avril lets out a soft sigh.
“Just…fix him?”
I didn’t think the siblings were close, but maybe there is more history there than we realized. There certainly is between me and Xander, not to mention Kian and Tristan.
Does anyone ever truly know what is going on behind closed doors?
As if he’s reading my mind, Xander leans against the wall, waiting until he hears the front door click shut behind Avril’s exit.
“When Sera returns, we’re all sitting down for a conversation,” he declares.
Lord of the manor, like always. It wouldn’t matter if he doesn’t have a title. Xander is just that arrogant.
“We’re done with secrets. We’re done with lies and half-truths. If we’re all going to survive whatever is coming, everything needs to be laid on the table. Past, present, or future.”
Gage makes a small noise of discontent but doesn’t argue.
“Well, we may have one less story to get.” Gage’s brow is furrowed, and sweat beads on his forehead. “I can’t figure out what the fuck is wrong. It’s… It’s like what happened to Devyn when he was stabbed, but not quite the same thing. It’s… wrong on a level I can’t explain.” Frustration coats his words as he shakes his head. “I’m keeping his body going as well as I can, but I’m not actually beating back whatever is here.”
“Then we better pray our mate works quickly,” Xander says, angling his head to take in the small travel clock on my dresser, watching the second hand as it ticks by.
“And that it’s not contagious,” Gage mutters.
Well, that’s a cheery fucking thought. Is it better to have my secrets torn out of me and laid at my mate’s feet to stomp on or to die of a clearly agonizing disease that’s making the only known supe who doesn’t feel pain scream in agony?
At the moment, I’m not sure I know the answer, and from the look on his face, it seems that Gage agrees.