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Gryphons transformed with their clothes intact, and Jaakobah appeared immaculate in his black suit, burgundy shirt, and matching tie. He truly was handsome and struck an impressive figure whether in his gryphon or humanoid form.

Nonchalantly pulling at his cuffs, Jaakobah tentatively walked forward. The wind ruffled his hair, those strands similar in color to my own, only Jaakobah’s held more brown and less gray. His eyes were deep brown, nearly to the point of black. I’d heard Jaakobah’s eyes described as mesmerizing before. I don’t think I ever thought them that enticing, but I did once think them beautiful. Cruel, but striking.

Cruel. That word seemed to sum Jaakobah up well.

I waited, forcing my expression to relay one of calm indifference. Lazarus appeared content to allow me to lead the way and remained a silent, supportive presence at my back.

Jaakobah’s eyes finally settled on me. The corner of his mouth mockingly tilted up. “Keir.” My name exited his mouth on a forceful whisper. “It has been a long time.”

“Not long enough,” I calmly answered.

Jaakobah’s grin widened. “Now, now. Is that any way to greet the leader of your flight?”

I immediately tensed. Lazarus increased the pressure against my back. “Last I heard, my father Hunapo Montenegro was still the flight leader. Regardless, I am no longer a member of that flight, and, therefore, its leadership holds no bearing on me.”

This time, Jaakobah’s smile widened enough to show teeth. “I’m sure your father will be retiring soon enough. The succession has already been determined.” Jaakobah spread his arms wide. “Given his children’s lack of…mental stability…is it any wonder your father went outside the line of succession when he chose me?”

I will not rise to his bait. I repeated that mantra as I silently fumed, careful to keep my true feelings from showing.

Lazarus had no such qualms. Chuckling low, Lazarus’s smoky scent surrounded me. “I find your opinion strange. I have found Keir’s mind to be nothing short of wondrously sharp. Our ancient Thalia believes so as well. In fact, I believe my whole clan, my thunder, find Keir’s mind exceptional.”

I took a sharp inhale. Lazarus’s clawed fingers trailed up and down my neck, their motion languid and yet purposeful. His closeness along with Lazarus’s words indicated I was not alone, that I had backing. Powerful backing if Lazarus’s name-dropping was any indication.

Jaakobah’s initial silent reflection didn’t last long. “Evidently wyvern have different…standards than gryphon. Gryphons treasure wisdom far more than any other commodity.”

Again, it was Lazarus that answered. “Hmm, then I find it exceedingly odd that they would choose someone such as yourself as their next leader. Then again, perhaps gryphons have a different definition when it comes to the word wisdom.”

Jaakobah’s nostrils flared and for the briefest moment, it looked like he might lose control. I wondered if that was what Lazarus was after. If he wanted Jaakobah to give him a reason to burn him to the ground.

Fingers curling, Jaakobah placed his clasped hands behind his back. Eyes narrowed, Jaakobah focused his attention on me. Pleasantries evidently at an end, Jaakobah said, “You are harboring a murderer within your midst.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Murderer? If you’re speaking of the former director, Tenzen Huxley, then I assure you he has been taken care of.”

“It is not the disgraced director I speak of.” Jaakobah’s grin turned mean. “Your brother, Eldon Montenegro.”

“Eldon?” I asked, truly mystified. “Who has Eldon supposedly mur…” My words trailed off as understanding dawned. I knew then and there how Jaakobah planned to escape the wrath of my mother’s flight. He was going to use Eldon as the scapegoat.

“Ah, I see you already know.” Jaakobah shook his head, a look of mock sadness pinching his lips. “It was a terrible shame, what happened to your mother. Your father and I knew Eldon wasn’t well. We tried to keep him contained, to keep him away from the rest of the flight. I thought we could help him, but in the end, it was not to be. I’m afraid your dear, sweet mother didn’t understand the extent of Eldon’s mental illness. She mistakenly attempted to help him, and in the process, he attacked and killed her. It was a tragedy all around. I’m afraid your father witnessed the whole ugly affair and has slipped into a deep depression regarding the incident. Unfortunately, Hunapo is no longer fit to lead. I have been forced to take over the flight. For its own protection of course.”

My heart hammered, threatening to explode from my chest. Breaths shallow and rapid, my inner gryphon begged to be let loose. We would slaughter the deceiver in our midst. We would silence his hate-filled lies and strike him from memory.

I took a step forward. Lazarus’s hand on my shoulder restrained me. “What proof do you have of this deed?” Lazarus asked.

Again, Jaakobah spread his arms, a false look of innocence upon his face. “I am witness, as is Keir’s father. We saw the whole unfortunate incident. Regrettably, we arrived too late to save Keir’s mother, Lavinia. It is a tragedy of the highest order.”

“Liar,” I spat.

Jaakobah’s grin pinched his cheeks as he uttered two damning words. “Prove it.”

My mouth snapped closed as rage seethed within me. Eldon was in no condition to have murdered anyone, let alone someone as powerful as our mother. But admitting I knew of Eldon’s condition would be admitting that he was here, that I was harboring him. While no one meaning harm to anyone within the compound would be able to get through the barrier, I did not want my grandmother’s flight showing up at our doorstep. I’d met my grandmother. She would not leave peacefully if she thought her daughter’s killer was within. While she wouldn’t be able to get to Eldon, she and her flight could cause a lot of problems for the others who worked and lived within the compound. Their lives would be threatened for simply coming and going.

The remaining members of the Magical Usage Council had been through enough. I would not willingly subject them to more. Not if I could help it.

Why did Jaakobah even believe Eldon was here? I hadn’t spoken to anyone, including my brother, since I left my former flight. “Why would Eldon come to me anyway? We’re hardly on good terms.”

“Oh, Keir.” Jaakobah shook his head and tsked as if he were addressing a foolish child. “Not all human technology is a bad thing. Really, humans invent the most marvelous things.” Holding up his thumb and forefinger, barely any space between, Jaakobah said, “And their technology is so small. Tiny little microchips that can be used to track anything and anyone along with apps that can be downloaded to almost any smartphone. It was easy enough to see where Eldon landed.”

My inhale was harsh. I could argue, but out of all Jaakobah’s lies, this statement rang true. It made too much sense. How had I missed it? Was it in his clothes? Lazarus had burned those himself, but Jaakobah would have already known Eldon was here by then. A chill ran through my body. Jaakobah wouldn’t be so careless as to place something that important in an item that could be easily discarded. The chip hadn’t been in the clothing; it was in Eldon himself.