Page 78 of Secrets of Ruin

When Maverick left the room, Brokk’s attention shifted to the paper. His heart raced as his throat went dry. There was only one thing Maverick would have found important enough to interrupt this meeting for him.

Brokk unfolded the paper. On it were three simple sentences…

The human realm.

Trowbridge Tavern… what remains of Boston.

Last seen: today.

Brokk’s heart hammered in anticipation. Weeks ago, Maverick sent some of his pack to search for Fabian or his brother. They’d found him.

“Excuse me, but I have to go,” he said, shoving the paper in his pocket.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Orin inquired.

“Yes.”

“We’re coming with you.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

Brokk had vowed never to return to Doomed Valley, but he needed something there. He hadn’t told his brothers where he was going when he told them to return to Dragonia without him.

They weren’t happy about it; they most likely suspected that he’d go after Fabian on his own or do something stupid, and while returning to the Valley wasn’t his brightest idea, it was necessary. Eventually, they relented when he promised to meet them soon and went on without him.

He didn’t want them coming with him to find Fabian; that bastard was his to kill. However, he’d do everything he could to protect Kaylia and wouldn’t turn down their help when it came to that.

Fabian was an old, powerful warlock who wouldn’t go down easily. Brokk had regained his strength since leaving Doomed Valley, but something could go wrong, and if it did, his brothers would destroy the man.

In the end, Fabian’s death mattered most.

Stepping out of his portal and onto the mountain of rocks where the ophidians once resided, Brokk donned the metal gloves he’d taken from a suit of armor in the palace. He stopped near the strands of netting Ryker had removed from Leo’s hands and feet.

Bending, he braced himself for the strands to still pack a punch as his hand settled over them. Vibrations ran up his fingers and arm as a tingling sensation spread through him.

The strands didn’t hurt as much as if he’d grabbed them with his bare hands, but he still felt the power in them. If all went well, Fabian would too.

He placed the strands into a metal box that he slipped into a pouch before pulling the string tight. After removing the glove, he secured the pouch to his side, opened a portal, and left Doomed Valley without looking back.

A few minutes later, he emerged in Dragonia to discover his brothers waiting for him. “Did you get what you needed?” Cole asked.

“Yes,” Brokk answered.

“Good.”

Brokk’s attention shifted to the palace and the dragons circling overhead. Kaylia was inside that palace, blissfully unaware of what he’d learned.

“Are you sure you want Kaylia involved in this?” Orin asked.

“Not at all, but if anyone deserves to confront Fabian about what he did, it’s her. He chose for her; I won’t do the same.”

“Fair enough.”

Together, they made their way up to the palace, and while his brothers waited by the entrance, Brokk went to find Kaylia. If the women were still working on Lexi’s wedding dress, they would be in the sewing room.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to look long as that’s where he found her, laughing with Lexi, Sahira, and the brownies. They all sipped champagne while they relaxed in the overstuffed chairs inside the room.

Two brownies had joined arms and danced on a tabletop, singing as they kicked their feet high. When they finished, two more jumped onto the table to perform another dance. Pip’s melodious voice filled the air as the brownies hooked arms and spun in a circle.