Page 130 of Eternal Obsession

“Alex, talk to me.” I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “Orpheus, if you have harmed him in any way, I swear . . .”

“On the contrary, it was I who removed Alex from that awful police cell that you left him in, if that’s what you mean.”

“Alex, you know that I meant to return for you.”

“You left it too late,” Orpheus said.

I shook my head. “I placed the girl back on the stones to make them think the murderer was still out there. . .” It made me cringe even now.

“And you participated in her death?” Orpheus said.

“Don’t you dare!” I warned him.

“Dare to tell the truth for once?” he said.

“You have never been acquainted with truth.”

Orpheus smiled. “Insults are all you have.”

“Enough!” Alex said.

His outburst startled me. “Alex, his men captured me and locked me up.”

“I saved you.” Orpheus shook his head. “Had I not sent my men you would never have made it.”

“Alex, we’re going.” I reached for him.

Alex stepped back. “No! I don’t want to leave here. Not yet, anyway. I refuse to return to that dark castle, the one you left me in.”

“Alex! What has he said to you?” I asked.

“You’re planning to turn Ingrid!” Alex said.

“No. Why would you think that?”

Tears rolled down Alex’s cheek. “I waited for you outside Belshazzar’s, and you were with her . . .”

“You were late.”

“That’s right, blame your brother again,” Orpheus said.

“Alex, you know how manipulative he can be.”

“Or you can blame me again,” Orpheus said.

I stepped toward Alex. “Have you lost your mind?”

Somewhere far off a door slammed.

I wanted to share the private conversation I’d had with Catherine, yet I hesitated, protecting her and sensing that it would not sway him.

“Alex,” I said, “I don’t understand why you’d even consider staying here.”

“As always, Jadeon,” Orpheus said, “you choose not to understand.”

I sighed. “Alex, I’ll give you anything you want.”

“Too little too late.” Orpheus shook his head.