"I'm trying to think of how to get you not to go."
I turn on my heel and walk away, heading back toward the kitchen. "You'll have to do a lot more than what you did earlier to stop me."
"You're really gonna throw sex in my face right now?" he asks, following me.
I smile. "Hey, if the shoe fits."
"If the what?"
Just as I'm about to explain what I mean, my phone rings. I run up and snatch it off the counter, glancing at the screen.
It's Declan.
I swipe to answer, my pulse already jumping. "What the fuck, Dec?"
"Did Callum call you?" he asks, his voice strained.
"No," I say, glancing at Octavian as he walks back into the kitchen, still holding the gun. "But he went looking for Martin, didn't he?"
"Yeah. Hey, about that. He may have shot himself."
"I know, Declan. I was on the phone with him when he did."
Silence.
"What?!"
"Yeah," I say and turn to face Octavian as I lean against the counter. "He called me. Started rambling about the Phantom King and feathers and how my family destroyed his. Then he shot himself. Right there. On the phone."
My throat tightens. I can still hear the gunshot. The echo of it hasn't left my head.
"Jesus Christ, Keira." Declan's voice drops with something between anger and worry. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." I'm not, but that's not the point right now. "Are you with Callum?"
"Just pulled up."
"The main house?"
"Yes."
"Stay there. I'm coming."
I hang up before he can argue and look at Octavian. "Come on. I'll fill you in on the way."
He doesn't move immediately, just watches me with that unreadable expression he does so well.
"Keira—"
"Don't." I hold up a hand, cutting him off. "I'm going. You can either come with me or stay here and stare at my pantry for more places to hide guns. Your choice."
"I was just going to say we need to change. You're in a towel, and I'm in gym shorts."
"Oh," I say, realizing my defiance kicked in unnecessarily. "Sorry. Yes," I sigh, "let's get dressed, and then we'll go."
"Okay. I'll meet you at the front door," he says and walks toward his bedroom.
I head upstairs and take a few deep breaths to calm myself. It's all just so much.
