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Yeah, a little thing like “reasonable doubt” wouldn’t mean much to Cain in such a situation. Wynter puffed out a breath. “I’m more inclined to believe it was her than that it was all or one of the Aeons. But that’s more because I don’t want it to be one of Cain’s relatives.”
“It would be horrible if it were one or all of them,” said Hattie. “Cain’s dealt with enough betrayal from family members. Abel and Adam are worth shit.”
Adam wasn’t really family to Cain in even a biological sense, but Wynter wouldn’t be sharing that with anyone.
“If one or more of the Aeons are responsible, what do you think Cain will do to them?” Delilah asked her.
“Nothing painless, even if they are his relatives,” replied Wynter. “I could almost pity them. They won’t only have to face Cain, they’ll have to face the other Ancients. I wouldn’t want all seven of them on my ass, taking turns torturing me.”
Xavier winged up a brow. “And if it transpires that the culprit was Ishtar?”
“Cain will obliterate her just the same, fellow Ancient or not,” replied Wynter. “Of that I have no doubt.”
*
Following Seth’s aide along the large stone passageways toward the library, Cain found the other six Ancients waiting outside the room.
Seth thanked the aide and politely dismissed him.
Azazel looked at Cain. “I’m guessing you went to check on Wynter.”
“It occurred to me that Saul could have made another attempt on her life,” said Cain.
Seth took in his expression. “Since you don’t look intent on destroying the world, I take it she is fine.”
“Saul didn’t get to her,” Cain confirmed. “She knows now to be on high alert.”
Seth gave a curt, satisfied nod. “Eve and the twins are in the library, but we’ve all agreed that we should question their guards before we head inside. I’m assuming you have no issue with that.”
“None whatsoever,” Cain told him.
“Personally, I don’t see how it would be possible for any of the three Aeons to have snuck away to free Saul. They’re watched day and night by not only guards they see but guards they don’t. I suppose we’ll soon find out if I’m right.”
Seth didn’t call all six guards away from the Aeons at once. He called them out of the library one at a time. Cain and the other Ancients questioned each of them rigorously. All swore that the Aeons hadn’t moved from their line of sight at any point, and Cain didn’t detect any lies.
Once the Ancients were alone, Dantalion cursed. “I do not see who else could have been responsible.”
Her lips pursed, Lilith looked at Ishtar. As did Cain. So did Azazel. Then Seth. Then Dantalion. Inanna instead closed her eyes.
Ishtar’s gaze went wide as she jerked back. “Do not look at me for this.”
“You have betrayed one of us before,” Lilith pointed out. “You went behind Cain’s back only recently. You cannot blame us for being reluctant to trust that you wouldn’t cross one of us again.”
“I hate the Aeons as much as any person here,” clipped Ishtar. “Do you really think I would free one?”
“When you know that this particular Aeon would seek out Wynter to do as you have always wanted and take her out of the equation, perhaps,” said Dantalion.
Her eyes hot with anger, Ishtar raised her chin. “Saul is one of our jailors. We need him dead along with Abel and Adam in order for our cage to break. More than anything, I want to be free of his prison. That is my priority. Releasing Saul would achieve the very opposite of that.”
Cain was under no illusions about Ishtar, so he knew she was fully capable of using another to harm Wynter, even if it meant releasing a captive. Still, he found it hard to believe that she’d released Saul. Ishtar was petty and vindictive, but her freedom truly mattered more to her than avenging any slight. She’d be more likely to table the latter for when she was finally out of their prison.
“Maybe someone did not physically free Saul,” said Inanna. “Maybe it was done remotely. Perhaps using a spell or some other preternatural means.”
“I don’t see how,” said Seth. “The guards claimed that Eve and Noah played chess while Rima fell asleep reading a book during the timeslot where Saul was released.”
“Or Rima astral projected elsewhere,” said Inanna.
“Perhaps no one aided him,” suggested Ishtar. “He could have found some way to escape without help.”
