"Why wouldn't I be? That's the truth, and we've gotten a confirmation. This is not the first time it has happened. Our father had episodes like this before. It's true that this one is lasting longer than any I can remember, but then our father never faced a rebellion before. Things got ugly for a while there, with his ladies hiding in the basement of his mansion and fearing for their lives. That must have shaken him to his foundation. Still, I have no doubt that he will overcome this meltdown like he has overcome all those that came before it."
Had he overplayed it?
Hazok and Hocken were nodding, and Kolhood looked thoughtful.
"I understand your frustration, but frankly, I'm tired of your baseless accusations. If you want to verify that he's alive, you are welcome to do so, but I want it on record that I have advised against any of you going into the harem and demanding to see our father."
He leaned back in his chair.
Kolhood looked conflicted and didn't take the bait.
Hazok hesitated, and Hocken was watching Kolhood and Hazok to see how they would respond.
Losham waited.
Hazok slapped his palm flat on the desk. "We are going. All four of us."
Dave must have used his influence on Hazok to make him take the initiative. Kolhood was too hardheaded for Dave to infiltrate without him feeling the pressure, so it had been agreed that Dave would work on the other two.
Losham assumed a worried expression and shook his head. "Don't count me in. I'm not suicidal."
Hocken nodded. "It's the only way. We have to go."
Kolhood was trapped. If he said no after all the accusations and after the other two said yes, he would lose face. He would look like a coward.
"Sunday," Kolhood said. "The three of us are going on Sunday. We dress well, bring a gift, and ask politely to see our father."
"You are putting your necks on the line," Losham said. "He will be furious. He doesn't want any immortals in his harem, and he especially doesn't want any of us in there."
"I'm aware," Kolhood said.
"Are you?" Losham tilted his head. "He has executed commanders for far less than what you are about to do."
"We are his sons," Hocken said.
"That is not going to protect you. Do you really think he doesn't know each of us would kill him if given a chance? He holds no fondness for us. He uses us as long as he needs us. We are assets to him. Nothing more." Losham let out a long breath through his nose, then he raised his hands, palms up. "I did my best todissuade you. It's your heads. Just do not say I did not warn you."
Kolhood pushed his chair back and stood, and the others followed.
"Sunday," Kolhood said. "I will send word in the morning to coordinate timing."
Losham shook his head. "Is there any chance I can talk sense into you and stop you from going?"
"No." Kolhood headed for the door. "It needs to be done."
33
DAVE
The basement of the mansion was quiet at four in the morning, and the Eight walked through it in silence.
Losham had canceled the night shifts after he'd received orders from the clan to do so. The timeline had been moving up too fast, and the clan wanted to slow things down so all the pieces of the plan could align.
Number One had spoken to K after the council meeting on Friday and had told him about the brothers' choosing to go to the harem on Sunday. K hadn't provided any further instructions, just wished them good luck.
The Eight had entered the basement through the service entrance that the debris removal teams used, and from there they had access to the rest of the mansion and to the secret tunnel leading to the harem.
Losham was at his home, and he'd ordered two women from the brothel to entertain him tonight, so he would have an alibi in case anyone tried to blame him for what was about to go down.
