Page 351 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘We’ve had Resets here before, in the tunnels.’

‘Invaders are rejected. Nothing can transfer. But you brought me in as a guest. Your ley lines allowed me inside. He has already seen what he needs to, so I am happy to spend time with my beloved family. Vasily, look at you. You’re so tall. So big. Tell me everything. I want to know your story, little one. Did you finally find a delusion strong enough to carry your dead weight into the real world? What a relief it was for our father to dump you with a near-total stranger.’ Roman giggles, folding his lips between his teeth as though trying to contain it. ‘You truly were his sunset headache.’

‘That’s enough.’

‘Oh, there he is! The spoiled brat,’ Roman crows gleefully, turning his attention to Kade. ‘Look at you, diamond in the rough. The jealous boy I knew would sooner have died than wear polyester, yet here you are. Kade of Iron Star. The best. But you broke like a foal, like a little boy who never took a punch that wasn’t pulled. I am disappointed. I was promised a good fight. Perhaps,’ he adds, casting a leisurely gaze around, ‘your big brother will make for a better conquest when I get free.’

‘Roman, this isn’t you,’ Vasily says.

‘My name is Echo One.’

‘You’re my brother and I love you.’

‘Poor thing, you must feel so alone. No one in the world but the people who suckle like leeches at the inherited power you wield. No one sees you, no one cares to. They only want boots, Vasily. Boots, nothing more.’

‘The Resonyx will fade.’

‘All things fade in time, little one.’

‘You’ll remember who you are.’

‘We shall see. In the meantime, ask what you will. I have no secrets to hold. My mission is already complete.’

‘What does he want?’ Kade asks.

‘He? Your father, you mean?’

‘Yes.’

‘Master Penhalyx wants what he has always wanted. A family.’

‘A child to possess,’ Lachlan intones with disgust.

Roman hums contemplatively and says nothing.

Blaire moves closer.

‘He cannot have more children now and if he leaves this body, he risks losing all. Therefore, he wants Julian,’ she says.

‘No, he wants a family.’ Still looking around the room, Roman adds in a playful whisper, ‘I hear there may be an unconventional way to make one.’

Kade freezes, gives nothing away.

There’s no fucking way he’s talking about Riley.

‘He wants Julian because of his power.’

‘As I said, the Greater Alchemy requires patience, and Master Penhalyx is nothing if not patient.’

‘The full moon is tomorrow. He will attempt it then?’

‘What do you know of the process?’

‘I know what the forced Death Knot entails,’ Blaire says.

‘He has had many years to improve upon that process. For example, the instability Mikhail exploited to save Savannah… that loophole has been firmly closed. Once possession is complete, it is locked in.’

‘Why are you telling us this?’