Chapter 6 #2
“Theoretically, the scent would register as not compatible,” Roxy confirms. “Even if the underlying bond potential existed. The Fever Brothers would scent ‘no’ because the fertility markers weren’t there.
Of course, that’s purely theoretical,” Roxy continues.
“I don’t know of any documented cases where—”
“Fascinating,” Ines interrupts smoothly, and then moving to a new question about Illibrium energy applications.
I barely hear the rest of their conversation.
Fertility signals? Not compatible. Even if the underlying bond potential existed.
It’s just theory. It has nothing to do with me or Ines.
Right?
Back at the compound that evening, dinner is loud as always. Cannibal is on his third plate. The children are shrieking about something. Lila is trying to organize dessert while Claws keeps stealing bites when she’s not looking.
Ines sits across the table from me tonight. Not next to me. She chose that seat deliberately, I think.
I try not to notice. I fail.
After dinner, when the children are in bed and most of the family has dispersed to their private rooms, Scar appears in the common room doorway.
“I’m ready,” he says to Ines. “If you still want to talk.”
She straightens immediately, reaching for her tablet. “Yes. Thank you.”
This is significant. Scar doesn’t talk to anyone outside the family about his investigation.
He’s obsessive about it, secretive and paranoid about information leaking to the wrong ears.
But something about Ines has convinced him.
Maybe he’s just desperate for fresh eyes on a case that’s consumed him for years.
They settle in the common room. Ines on the couch. Scar is in the chair across from her. I take up position nearby because I’m not leaving her alone with anyone, even my brother.
She’s still my responsibility.
“Where do you want me to start?” Scar asks.
“The beginning,” Ines offers. “Tell me everything.”
I remain quiet, letting Scar do all the talking.
I find myself also curious to hear what he will have to say.
I was there for all of these incidents, but I want to hear it all from his point of view.
He lays it out methodically, the timeline and the evidence and all the connections he’s been tracking for years.
His voice is flat and controlled, but I can hear the pain underneath.
This is the wound that never healed. The obsession that drives him.
“Our parents were murdered in their beds,” he says. “Made to look like a robbery, but nothing was taken. The case was closed almost immediately. ‘Random violence.’ ‘Unfortunate tragedy.’” His jaw tightens. “Bullshit.”
Ines writes rapidly but doesn’t interrupt.
“Daxon is our oldest brother.” Scar’s claws flex against the arm of his chair.
“He was head of the Miners’ Union. Respected and powerful.
He started asking questions about our parents’ murder, pushing for a real investigation.
And suddenly he was accused of instability.
Betrayed by our own cousin. Stripped of his position and banished from Timbur. ”
“Your cousin?” Ines asks.
“Kryzon of Twelve.” The name comes out like a curse. “He testified against Daxon. Claimed our brother had threatened him. It was lies, all of it, but Kryzon had powerful backing. The tribunal believed him.”
“Where is Daxon now?”
“The Hunter Station. He’s a bounty hunter there and he also has a human Bride, and offspring. He’s built a happy new life.” Scar pauses. “But he can never come home. And he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Ines is quiet for a moment, then she questions, “And Heavy?”
Scar’s expression darkens further. “Heavy went to visit Daxon at the Hunter Station. A family visit. He was attacked there. Someone wiped his memory and left him for dead in a drunk tank. They forged a note in his handwriting to make his pregnant Bride think he’d abandoned her.”
“Jana said she tracked him here.”
“Yes. She found him in the cafeteria line. He looked right at her and didn’t know who she was.” Scar shakes his head. “He almost died from claim separation syndrome. His body knew he had a mate somewhere, but his mind couldn’t remember her.”
“And you think the mist at the Dark Moon Ball was also staged?”
“I do. That’s the most recent.” Scar leans forward.
“A mist that hasn’t occurred in generations just happens to flood the cavern during the biggest public gathering of the year?
While all the Fever Brothers are in attendance?
” He shakes his head. “Grytel, the CEO of Minecorp, left the ball about thirty minutes before it happened.”
“You think he triggered it?”
“At the very least, I think he knew it was coming. For a long time, I focused on Grytel. He’s the obvious suspect.
Royal Pigment. CEO of Minecorp. With Daxon gone, our cousin Kryzon took over as head of the Miners’ Union and Kryzon does whatever Grytel wants.
No more pushback from the union. No Margol leader with real power asking uncomfortable questions about our parents’ murder. ”
“But?” Ines prompts.
“But obvious suspects are sometimes decoys.” Scar’s jaw tightens. “I’ve been watching Kryzon again. Our cousin. The one who betrayed Daxon.”
“You think he’s still involved?”
“I think he never stopped being involved. He’s been making regular trips to the Royal Pigment district. Late at night. Meeting with someone powerful enough to warrant secrecy.”
“Grytel?”
“Maybe. Or maybe someone else entirely. Someone using Grytel as a front.” Scar meets her eyes. “Kryzon is the connection. He’s been there from the beginning. He testified against Daxon. I believe he arranged Heavy’s attack and I think he’s not finished.”
“Do you have proof?”
“Not enough. Not yet.” Scar’s expression is grim. “But I will. And when I do, I’m going to make him pay for what he did to this family.”
I let out a grunt of approval.
Ines stops writing. “I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “For everything your family has been through.”
Scar nods once and stands. “That’s all I have for now,” he says. “If you find something I missed, tell me.”
“I will.”
My brothers disappears down the hallway toward his room.
Ines closes her tablet. “Thank you,” she says to me. “For letting me talk to him. I know that wasn’t easy.”
“Scar made his own choice.”
“Still.” She meets my eyes. Her scent shifts, warmer now, that undercurrent of arousal threading through. She probably doesn’t even know I can smell it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She holds my gaze for a beat too long.
Then she stands, says goodnight, and disappears down the hallway to her room.