Page 118 of Feral King

"He wants me to turn over everything to him before he’ll release Lyra safely.”

"Then we have work to do," Yang says. "We must act quickly."

I nod. And then I start planning.

My brother has made the last mistake he will ever make. He took the one thing I will burn the world down to get back.

He’s about to learn the cost of betrayal.

And it’s a lesson I’m very eager to teach him.

CHAPTER 43

LYRA

The sound of footsteps fills the warehouse before I realize what’s going on.

Alexander comes in first. He sweeps in through the side door like a conquering hero, his coat unbuttoned and hair disheveled, with the manic energy of someone riding the adrenaline high of his life.

Then again, knowing Alexander, there’s a very good chance there’s a different kind of high mixed in.

Behind him is Mrs. Lee. Four armed men flank her, two at each side. She doesn’t look in my direction. Her expression is one of hard frustration.

I can tell with just a glance that things aren’t going well for them. Whether or not that’s good news for me is another story.

Sophia remains in the same spot, phone in hand. Her makeup is smeared and her eyes are wide. Nobody acknowledges her.

“Update,” Alexander demands from Lee. “What happened at the meeting?”

“Weren’t you there?” Sophia asks.

Alexander shoots her a glare. “I mean, after I left, things got out of hand. Dobrov is dead.”

My stomach tightens at the news. I wasn’t exactly the guy’s biggest fan, but I didn’t wish him dead either.

“Julian is still alive,” Lee says, “as well as some of the other members of the council.”

I release a huge sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

Alexander goes completely still, then he laughs. It’s quick and bitter.

“He survived. Of course he did. He always survives.”

It takes all the effort I have not to grin like an idiot.

Julian’s alive.

That wasn’t part of their plan. Hopefully, the rest goes just as badly for them.

Alexander runs a hand through his hair.

“Where is he now?”

“Unknown,” Lee says. “His phone has been routing through encrypted relays since he left Brighton. Initial reports were that he was headed back into the city, possibly to his penthouse. But there’s no trace of him there. We are tracking him, but it will take time.”

“We don’thavetime, Margaret.”

“We have her, and that buys us all the time we need.”