Page 163 of Eternal Surrender

Jaw slackening, lips quivering, Raven dug his fingernails into the armrests, clearly taken by surprise.

I arched an eyebrow. “You were saying?”

Raven’s back, stiffened and he blushed wildly, gesturing he needed a moment.

Angus pretended not to catch his reaction. “We need to get a message to Orpheus.”

“Why?” I asked.

Angus glanced at Raven.

Raven sucked on his lips still seemingly recovering, and then said, “We need his permission.” His shoulders slumped. “Marcus refused to tell us where Orpheus is. This is the first time anyone’s mentioned where we can find him.”

“Where in Italy, exactly?” Angus asked.

I emphasized my impatience.

Raven lowered his chin in a gesture of respect. “We can’t advance with any action until sanctioned by the ruling Status Regal.”

“Proceed with what?” I asked.

Raven hesitated and then said, “Killing him.”

I tried to read him. “Who?”

Raven swapped a glance with Angus. “Dominion of course.”

“You want that?” I kept my tone even.

“Don’t you?” Angus asked, surprised. “If he’s allowed to take up his position of authority with the Stone Masters. . . we’re all in serious trouble.”

I glanced away.

“If Dominion sides with the Stone Masters,” Raven said, “We’re all vulnerable.”

Angus sat back, questioning my reticence with a frown. “So you’ll help us find Orpheus?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I turned to Raven. “How many are there of you that want Dominion dead?”

Raven looked surprised. “All of us.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

The tip of the knife pressed against Ingrid’s neck.

“Please put the knife down, Sunaria,” I said casually and threw my jacket onto the back of the armchair.

Sunaria glanced over at Lucas.

My gut wrenched to see him lying face down on the carpet, unconscious, his throat slit and blood oozing, staining the hotel room’s plush carpet, scarlet.

Telling Lucas to bring Ingrid back to the Savoy had been a terrible mistake. From the disarray in the hotel room, Lucas hadn’t gone down without a fight. With my mind closed down, Sunaria wouldn’t know just how full of panic I really was.

To save my friends, calmness was needed; a clear head.

Sunaria’s style was cruel and sleek, tailored, and quietly powerful. She wore a sharply cut suit in a scarlet tone. Minimal jewelry, glowing skin and effortless confidence, so much so she could pass for mortal.

I took a seat in the high-back chair. “How are you?”