Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
brANDON
T he last stop on the tour is hosted by the Aether family. Their countryside style homes are usually a welcoming, peaceful sight. This time, I can’t shake the tension in the air. Their welcome ceremony consisted of dinner followed by individual cards and star readings. My reader took one look at my future and bolted.
The following two days have been quiet, since almost everyone runs the opposite direction when they see me coming.
“Lately, I find myself looking for you when I want to be left alone. Not what I ever imagined I would do,” Jesse says as he finds me in the gardens.
We watch as a group of young maids walk into the moose paved greenery of the gardens. Their giggles die on their lips when they spot me. In unison, they promptly turn on their heels.
“Do they fear me for what the stars have written for me, or for who they will find me to be?”
“Quite poetic. I think they don’t see anything and make shit up as they go,” Jesse says. “I came because Grandfather summoned you. It's urgent. He wouldn’t elaborate.”
Not knowing what this could be about, I head down to his suite. The tour has lost momentum. At least, it has in my eyes. I can’t wait to return to the Black Castle, and I can sense the sentiment shared by the remaining group. Being away from home for so long has grown tiring for everyone.
I brought up cutting the remainder of the trip short, but my grandfather wouldn’t hear it. Changing the timeline on the last stop would look disrespectful. I get that. I haven’t brought it up since, but I can’t help but think maybe this summoning means he’s changed his mind. Even one day will help.
My focus must remain on getting closer to finding out who’s plotting against us, especially now that bringing Matias back to his body is no longer a side quest. Having Bianca so far away has not been easy. I understand Roman a lot more now.
My grandfather’s suite is empty besides Jesse sitting across from him. I try to meet his eyes, but he refuses to look up as I walk inside the room. My senses pick up danger, but my eyes can’t find it.
Grandfather raises a piece of paper in the air for me to inspect. The glint of gold and black on the signature catches my attention. My heartbeat spikes at the familiar penmanship.
“Mel,” he says, like the name alone weighs the gravity of the situation.
My grandfather is aware of my visit to the underworld. He’s also aware that the male in question would never simply send pleasantries by mail. If Mel has reached out, it must be for a good reason.
“What does it say?” I ask, looking between the letter and my grandfather.
“It’s a seal only the recipient can open.”
He places the paper on his desk and then pushes it in my direction. My eyes linger on the little shake of his fingers. He already dreads what we will find.
I reach out and take it. I don’t waste time opening the seal and letting my eyes read the message inside. Three lines make my entire body freeze.
An inquiry for a Lurp demon has been made. Best known for eating water imps. The acquisition’s success is unknown, but I figured the warning is worth a favor.
“What can he mean by the last part?” Jesse asks. His eyes run over the letter repeatedly once I place it back on the desk.
“Visits with his brother that Bianca can facilitate,” I say.
I can hear him calling Mel an asshole under his breath. But I’m not surprised the demon simply sees this as an opportunity to gain something. I watch as my grandfather grows paler by the minute. This further proves the evil moving against us, and we no longer have the privilege of believing it can all be a coincidence.
“The imps on the island are not alive, the demon won’t affect them,” I guess.
I think through all the possible consequences, but there are none. I stare at the note again and realize Mel wouldn’t have a way to know that. No, because no one knows about the water imps that truly guard the island but us.
“Say something.” I don’t care that it sounds like a plead.
His eyes look hurt and concerned at the same time. He’s sick and tired. I can see it in the deep lines under his eyes and the shake of his hands. He doesn’t have the strength to take this on. My crowning hasn’t come fast enough. He’s the current king; he’s in charge. I can’t undermine him and decide on my own. We need to be on the same page. Whatever is rising against our reign might have count on that.
“No, it won’t. But only the royal families who’ve placed items on the island know about the existence of the water imps,” my grandfather finally says.
I can see the second treason has settled in his heart. He shared a small part of the truth with a loyal friend, and they used that against him. It’s hard to not think of this as a personal attack.
“What’s the plan?” Jesse stands next to us, a determined expression on his face.
“We need to go home.” His expression is passive as he closes the distance between us. “Brandon.” His hand lands onto my shoulder. “We must rush your coronation to tomorrow. I will get the Red Book and take it to my office for safekeeping.”
“Is it not safe on the island anymore?” I ask.
“Not anymore.” He shakes his head. “If Mel is right, I’m afraid we don’t know who to trust. This attempt will fail, but they will try again. We must be very careful. A Royal Family is working against us.”
“Or several,” Jesse adds.
My grandfather’s eyes drop to the floor, and a long sigh leaves his chest. “I’m afraid that is the case. One alone wouldn’t be as bold as to take on the reign.”
“There’s power in numbers.”
I agree with him. We’re finally on the same page. After weeks of wishing he would hear me out about my doubts on the royal lines, the moment has come, and I feel no triumph.
“Jesse, call my advisors. We need to call for the preparations to be moved forward. Invitations for all the Royal houses need to be canceled. We are breaking protocol, but I don’t trust having any of them present before we take the Red Book to a safe location.”
“We don’t need the Red Book for the coronation,” I try to argue. Taking it to a new safe place is more important.
“The book has been used to swear in every king since its creation.” My grandfather looks off to the side. “It will only be there for the night. I’ll personally move it to a safe location after the coronation is over. Only the Royal Force and castle staff will be in attendance.”
“They won’t like to be left out like that,” Jesse says, referring to the royal families.
“The guilty ones won’t. The rest will understand why they currently can’t be trusted.” My grandfather gets up from his chair and moves to the door. “Let’s go home, boys.”