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Cain would have happily confirmed it if he didn’t know for a fact that the old bastard would deem them traitors and lose all interest in having them returned to Aeon. That wouldn’t suit Cain’s purposes. As such, he replied, “Maybe. Or maybe I’m lying. Maybe they’re in my dungeon dangling over a pit of snakes because they refuse to tell me everything I want to know about Aeon and the people there.”
Abel pushed out of his chair. “Bastard.”
Ignoring his outburst, Cain went on, “Refusing would be wise of them, wouldn’t it, since they’d only be useful to me so long as they had something I want?”
Adam clenched his jaw. “As I mentioned before, people will arrive at your town to collect them and the witch,” he said, his tone carefully even. “Do the smart thing and release them, Cain. You’ll bring sheer hell upon yourself and Devil’s Cradle if you don’t.”
Cain smiled. “Duly noted.” Then he left the psychic space.
After dismissing the conduit, Cain went straight to Seth’s Keep. He’d need to inform all the other Ancients of his conversation with the Aeons, but it only seemed fair that Seth learned of it first, given that this was in many ways a family matter. If the shoe were on the other foot, Cain would have hoped that Seth would do him that same courtesy.
They sat in the ledger room on either side of Seth’s desk while Cain relayed all that Abel and Adam had said. He then added, “My gut says that Abel’s display of emotion was real; that neither Eve nor the twins are here on his orders.”
Seth flicked his head to the side. “What about Adam?”
“I’m not sure.” Cain scraped a hand over his jaw. “His reactions seemed genuine, but it has to be noted that he’s exceptionally good at hiding and feigning emotion.”
“So you’re not yet ready to trust that our guests from Aeon mean us no harm, then?”
“No, I’m not. Adam could have sent them here but kept Abel in the dark. In fact, it would make sense that the old bastard withheld it from him, considering Abel isn’t as good an actor as he is.”
“Valid point. Admittedly, I myself struggle to place any real trust in Eve and the twins.” Seth heaved a sigh that was heavy with regret. “Rima and Noah were babies during the time of the war, but they will have been raised to view us as the ultimate villains. The blame for the deaths that happened back then have been laid squarely at our feet. Yet, they gave an Ancient partial rights to their soul. If the situation were reversed, I don’t think I would have agreed to hand over such rights to ‘the enemy.’”
“Generally, only the desperate ever make such bargains. It could truly be that they made the sacrifice for Eve, determined to stay close to her in order to protect her should she need them. But I don’t feel able or willing to take that risk.” If Cain gave them the benefit of the doubt and it turned out that he’d been wrong to do so, the consequences could be dire—not just for the Ancients and Devil’s Cradle, but for the one person whose safety he would never risk. Wynter.
“The twins do seem protective enough of Eve to have made the sacrifice for her, to be fair,” said Seth. “From what I’ve so far learned through our conversations, she is one of the only people who ever cared for them. She’s all they really have now. They want her safe, and that means keeping her from Adam. Rima told me that is why she agreed to come here. An enemy of your enemy is your friend, she said. Noah claims he was more reluctant but knew they would have to relocate soon anyway as Aeon will shortly be uninhabitable.”
“Which I would guess he isn’t happy about.”
“No, he is not. Neither is Rima. While Eve seems less bothered by the need to relocate, she does seem saddened that Aeon will fall.”
“And so we have to keep in mind that maybe, like most other Aeons, our three new residents are not prepared to accept that their old home is deteriorating. Plenty want to get their hands on Wynter so she can lift the curse for them before it’s too late. Either Eve, Rima, or Noah could have taken the initiative and come here to retrieve her. It’s also possible that others sent them to take her without Adam or Abel’s knowledge.”
Seth’s lips twitched. “You have such a suspicious nature, brother. But I have to say, it has always paid off in the past. I won’t suggest we discuss how I think you’re bracing yourself for the worst from them because it’s easier than giving them a chance. You’re self-aware enough to have already recognized what you’re doing.”
“Perhaps I am reluctant to open my mind to the idea that they have no ulterior motives for that reason. But it is not simply that. The fact is I will never be anything but exceedingly cautious in situations that concern Wynter’s safety. I trust very few people. I trust even fewer with my consort’s life.”
“I don’t blame you for that. You’ve known too much betrayal. Which is why it came as a surprise to me that you didn’t hold Wynter at a distance for at least a little while longer.”
“I’ve touched her soul, remember? Loyalty is built into her very being. She would never betray me.” Cain believed that right down to his bones, as did his inner creature. “Not for anything.”
Seth’s mouth curved. “I like seeing you have such unshakable faith in another person. It is not something I imagined would ever happen. And I believe you are right to have such faith in her. I cannot envision Wynter ever turning on you. There’s too much honor in her.” His smile faded. “You should know that Eve and the twins have heard that Wynter is your consort. They asked me if it was true. I confirmed it.”
“I take it they don’t approve. To the Aeons, she’s public enemy number one.”
“Which is why I told them a little about Wynter and her coven—nothing they couldn’t find out through speaking with my hirelings, of course. Mostly just amusing little anecdotes. Hopefully their stance on Wynter will change.”
Cain gave a shrug, unmoved by the issue. “I don’t particularly care if it does or it doesn’t. I don’t want or require their approval.”
“You would like our mother to accept her,” Seth gently insisted. “You might not be acknowledging it to yourself right now, but that doesn’t make it untrue.”
Cain sighed. “If Eve isn’t here out of some dark motive then, yes, I’d like it if she accepted Wynter. But her approval is not something I need.” He had long ago ceased giving a shit what others thought about him or his decisions. “Back to the matter of my conversation with Adam and Abel . . . I think we should tell Eve and the twins about it.”
“You want to monitor their responses,” Seth guessed.
“I do.”
“All right. I’ll have one of my aides call the other Ancients here. Unless . . . well, it might suit us best to come across as if we’re treating this as a family issue. They may then feel more inclined to talk openly. All seven Ancients barging into the room could simply make them feel threatened or ganged up on.”
