“I’d feel a lot safer knowing he can’t make us jump out a window or drown myself in the bathtub.” Luca shivers.
That sounds worryingly specific, and given the look Luca shares with Nix, Leo is sure the two of them are keeping certain details of their captivity to themselves.
“I can do it now. Don’t stop on my account—I can work around you.” Grayson approaches Jay, intending to start with protecting his leader first. It’s not long before he’s made the rounds, each time faster than the last.
“There is something to do with the soul magic, too, right? Poor Ansel…and you thought James Senior might have sold his soul, too.”
Jay stiffens at the mention of his father and how their afternoon ended up.
Leo squeezes his shoulder in silent comfort, understanding that it’s not his death that has him remorseful, but the part heplayed in the whole debacle over the past decade—and finally, with his mom.
“Dad was the worst I’ve ever seen him. Decayed. Like you told us Withers is. Why wasn’t Ansel like that?”
“Good question,” Finn says. “I think it has something to do with him being a child. Ignatius said today that people who sell their souls are often tainted already. Losing bits of their soul continuously in a bargain like that would only make it more…visible on the outside.”
“But if Ansel was coerced or manipulated, that wouldn’t be his ‘sin’, right?” Nix says.
Grayson nods. “Right. Winnie said her father had gotten worse and worse after his mate died. Do you think he would have sold his soul—and Ansel’s?”
The words render the mates silent at the idea that someone could sell a child’s soul for gambling money or to pay a debt.
It’s even more frightening to think about the person who would offer such a deal.
Nix finally shifts uncomfortably. “Gideon, Carnell also said some stuff about Hayes.” He says the name firmly. It had been something he’d conquered right away with therapy. The name of a person didn’t have the power to hurt you unless you let it.
“I’m sorry, Kitten.”
“Carnell’s words are not your fault,” Nix says, and there is no doubt he means it. “Yeah, he intended to undermine me with memories today, but Luc helped.”
He smiles at his twin, who blows him a kiss.
There’s no doubt there were threats of violence on Nix’s behalf. “No…I’m not sure you want to hear this right now, or ever, but…Carnell said Hayes was his son.”
There’s a minor commotion as Grayson sits up and Finn fumbles the phone in his hand. Leo’s heart picks up speed in response to what has to be the shock of a lifetime for his mate.
But Gideon doesn’t look shocked—he looks ashamed.
Gideon goes to his knees at Nix’s feet so he can press his forehead to the floor in abject apology.
The rest of the room is frozen in horror.
This is the most humble of positions for a Were—saved for the gravest of apologies or the highest degree of respect, sometimes both.
Given Gideon’s usual self-confidence, his view of the world as a general nuisance, this is heartbreakingly unfamiliar.
“Gideon, no!” Nix exclaims, going to his knees so he can lift Gideon by the shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Nix. Sorry my father and my brother have been responsible for the worst things in your life. My blood. Ignatius confirmed it: our souls hold the stain from the things we’ve done. Mine must be the worst—corrupted from birth by blood.”
Nix looks shocked.
He’s still, his eyes locked on the top of Gideon’s head where the proud Were has hung it in shame, unable to meet Nix’s eyes.
“Gideon,” he says again, tipping Gideon’s chin up with his fingers before sliding his palm around to cup his cheek. “Your father is also responsible for one of the greatest gifts in my life.”
Gideon’s no fool, and he tries to shake his head.
“No, you listen to me. I thought we talked about this at the first safe house, but seeing as you still haven’t heard me, I will say it again.”
