Carnell pulls a tissue out of a dispenser and wipes the already-healing wound on his cheek and then at the droplets of motor oil on his formerly pristine tan suit. “Well, that was an adventure. Quite thrilling to see you in action up close…Austin.”
Up close? Austin? Nix can’t help the tiny tremor at the memory of the last time he heard it.
How the hell would Carnell know that name? He flashes, for the first time, to Hayes begging him to end it. He’d not wasted a single moment on that day after Nix had commanded Hayes to die slowly…until now.
That day flashes through his memory, and Nix remembers Hayes’s stuttering breaths and the way he’d groaned, “Was my father.”
Holy shit. Could it be possible?
His eyes fly to Carnell’s, and even though he can’t read Nix’s mind, he’s clearly waiting for a reaction of some kind. It’s horrifying to think that Carnell was responsible for Hayes keeping Jamie from him.
He wants to tear Carnell’s throat out with his teeth. But just one name—Jamie—sends a bolt of pain through his chest. Oh, Goddess, no.
Nix refuses to give Carnell the satisfaction of any emotion. Even though the name is meant to unsettle him, to tear him down and take him back to that time where he was a victim. So he makes his face blank and stares him down.
Disappointment flashes across Carnell’s face. “Nothing to say? No matter. So many new horizons are opening up in front of me now. Imagine what we can accomplish?” he says absently. “Allistair will need a powerful enforcer, and you’re already his mate. It really is destiny.”
Withers turns toward the window, but not before Nix sees him roll his eyes.
Huh. Not a stupid magical lackey, then.
Earlier in the apartment, he’d mentioned he had his own cause. It makes Nix wonder how Carnell is being of use to him?
“Gideon won’t do shit with you,” Luca says under his breath.
That gets Carnell’s attention. There’s a flash of fury in his eyes before he just smiles. “He’s my son. He wants to please his father. It’s all a good son wants.”
Wrong audience,Nix thinks, just as Luca snorts. He looks like he’s going to start up on the long list of things Gideon does have plans for, but Nix hugs him closer. His soft sniffles and hot tears press against Nix’s neck, each one tugging at the fraying edge of Nix’s own grief.
Carnell couldn’t be more wrong about Gideon, but it’s alarming how delusional he is. Gideon needing an enforcer is ridiculous, but that Carnell is changing his vision to include Nix is crazy. What would he want Nix to do? Scare people? Murder them? What does an enforcer even really do?
Withers remains silent, his creepy gaze boring into Nix’s face like the answers he’s looking for are written on his skin. Occasionally, there’s a tickle of pressure in his head, causing his wolf to growl and flash visions of Withers’s entrails painting the inside of the car.
The magic user’s anger and frustration have to be reward enough for now.
It’s not long before the driver pulls through a large gate at the bottom of a long drive. There’s a large stone wall running off in either direction, and the wrought-iron gate slides open to reveal a medieval castle-style fortress in the distance. As the car climbs up a steep stone drive, Nix can see what looks like a drawbridge and–is that a fucking moat?
When the car comes to a halt inside the walls, Withers opens the door and exits, slamming it in a fit of pique.
Before Luca could climb out, Nix grabs his hand and leans in to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Together?”
Luca looks at him, and there’s a single nod, a flash of a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Maybe he’s not entirely forgiven—maybe he’s still too raw for that—but they’re in this together, just like everything else.
“As you wish, Buttercup.”
The double front doors are opened for them by a handsome servant in his thirties in a white uniform.
The man’s eyebrows go up when he sees them, but he says nothing.
“Connall, I’ll take champagne by the pool. I’m celebrating,” Carnell says dismissively before turning to Withers.
“Aleksander, let’s put our guests in the wine cellar. And find me another volunteer. I’m feeling exposed.” He looks at Nix and boops him on the nose. “One down and two in the hand. It’s all coming together, just as it was foretold.”
Nix feels icy fingers caress the inside of his elbow as Aleksander takes Nix by the arm.
“Goody. This way, little Novice. Luca.” Withers licks his lips, a look of creepy anticipation on his gaunt features.
Carnell turns back to them before they get too far. “Oh, Aleksander? I want them in pristine condition until I can decide how best to enjoy this. Understand?”
