“What don’t I know?” Sahira asked as she emerged from the shadows of the hallway leading to the kitchen. She dried her hands on a dishtowel as she stopped near the stairs. Her eyes shifted questioningly between Lexi and Cole before settling on Lexi; she smiled. “You’re home.”
Lexi managed a tremulous smile in return. “I’m home.”
“How did it go?” Sahira asked as she crossed the hall to embrace Lexi.
Lexi clung to her aunt. The familiar comfort of Sahira’s warm embrace almost made her burst into tears. Sahira was about to be as angry at her as Cole.
“It went,” Lexi said.
When she pulled away from her aunt, Sahira smoothed her hair back and tucked it behind Lexi’s ear. The familiar, comforting gesture was one she often experienced as a child, and it only made all of this worse.
“So, what is it that I don’t know?” Sahira asked.
Lexi closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned toward the library. Her gaze settled on the gray stone fireplace across the room.
“I did something,” she whispered. “And now it’s time to face the consequences.”
She walked over to the fireplace, found the stone to open the passageway, and pressed it.
“Lexi,” Sahira hissed.
No one was supposed to know about the tunnels, but it was far too late for that secret to remain hidden.
“It’s okay,” Lexi said. “This is only the beginning.” She looked back at her aunt. “I’m sorry; I should have told you sooner, but it’s time for you to see what’s below.”
Lexi didn’t look back as she entered the passage. She removed the flashlight hanging from the hook near the entrance and clicked it on. She had no idea how Orin would react to their arrival, and she didn’t care.
As horrible as everything was between her and Cole right now, she felt more carefree than she had in weeks as she led the way through the tunnels. She was glad everything was finally out in the open.
She just hoped no one died today.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Cole followedLexi into the passage. The damp earth aroma hung heavily in the air as the shadows danced away from her beam. They coalesced behind her to glide over his skin.
Their presence fueled his power, and his fingers flexed as he prepared to use the air against his brother if it became necessary.
“What is this place?” Brokk inquired.
“It’s supposed to be a secret,” Sahira said.
Lexi didn’t respond as she turned a corner. When she did, her beam caught and reflected in Orin’s black eyes. However, she didn’t see him. Cole did, though.
Orin smiled at him. “Hello, Cole. Brokk.”
Lexi and Sahira jumped as Brokk stopped walking.
“Holy shit,” Brokk blurted. “Holyshit!”
When Orin emerged from the shadows, Cole’s gaze raked over him. He’d caught glimpses of his brother on the battlefield during the war, but this was the closest they’d been in a few years.
The last time Cole saw Orin this close, his brother told their father that he wasn’t doing enough to take down the Lord, and he was joining the rebellion. Cole tried to follow him out the door to tell him he was making a mistake, or to beat some sense into him, if that was what it took.
His father stopped him and told Cole to let him go. His father believed Orin needed to follow his own path, even if it went against his. Tove had set him free, knowing full well he might never see his son again, and he never did.
And now, their father was dead. A big part of why stood across from him looking as arrogant as always. His father had sought to keep Orin alive, and Cole would try to respect that, but he’d kill Orin if it became necessary to save the Gloaming.
Brother or not, he was only one life compared to thousands.
