Page 84 of Feral King

“Then calling him lets him know that we know, and he either accelerates or retreats.” I lean against the wall, the fluorescent lights humming above.

Somewhere down the hall, Lyra is being examined. And I’m out here instead of with her, holding her hand.

I scrub my hands over my face, shaking my head in disbelief and frustration.

“Yang has a massive ego. Accusing him of hitting a charity event on American soil could collapse the entire Pacific deal—just before the goddamn council.”

Ethan nods slowly; we’re on the same wavelength.

“And if the Pacific deal falls apart, that puts the entire council in jeopardy. Not to mention that the councilwill see you as a leader who can’t control his own alliances.”

I clench my teeth, wishing nothing more than for the person who’s behind all of this to appear right in front of me, right now, so I can take them apart with my bare hands.

The elevator chimes, cutting through my thoughts. When the doors open, the last three people I want to see walk out.

Laura, Alexander, and Sophia.

They look disheveled and they appear worried.

“Julian.” Alexander crosses over to me in four long strides. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

He seems sincere. But it can be hard to tell with my brother.

“Lyra is being examined.”

Relief flashes across his face, then his expression turns hard.

“This is your fault.” He jabs a finger into my chest. If it were any other man on the planet, that finger would be broken. “I told you this shit would happen. You dragged her into this world and now she’s in a hospital bed because of you.”

I stay still, letting his finger remain at my chest for a moment longer.

“Back up, Alexander. Now.”

“No. You don’t get to play protector when you’re the whole goddamn reason she needs protecting.Youmade her a target.Youput her center stage at a Bratva event with every one of our enemies watching.”

“I said, back up.”

He does. Smart man.

Sophia watches from behind Laura, her arms wrapped around herself. She’s shaking and scared.

Alexander looks like he has more to say. But before he gets a chance, Laura puts a hand on his arm.

“Not here,” she says quietly. “Not now.”

For once, she’s right. Alexander straightens his posture and adjusts his cuffs, then he steps back.

“Lyra is being taken care of,” I tell him. “When her doctors are finished, I’ll be with her. Until then, the three of you can wait here, or you can leave. I don’t give a damn either way.”

I turn and walk toward the ER. Ethan falls into step beside me.

I don’t look back. Toward Lyra is the only direction I’m moving in tonight.

“Yang first or Lee?” he asks.

“Yang. Directly. No intermediary.”

“That’s a risk.”