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We were led up the stairs, in the same direction that we’d gone when I first came to the mansion, toward Nathaniel Ward’s office. This time, my nerves were a thousand times higher than they had been that day, vibrating through me so hard that I could feel my limbs shaking.
Those who were in the house today very clearly knew who we were, and that we were… in trouble. Their faces read like people who were watching a death row procession. I swallowed hard as we came upon the door that, previously, I hadn’t been allowe
d to walk through.
The silver-haired man stepped forward, knocked twice, and waited.
“Come in.”
Nathaniel’s voice came from the other side, and the butler opened the door, stepping aside to let the five of us enter.
Although every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, I forced my legs to carry me forward.
Into the maw of the beast.
Twenty-Three
I had gotten the barest glimpse of Nathaniel’s study the first time I came to this house, but not enough to truly take it in. As we entered the room, my gaze darted around quickly.
The room was, in a word, impressive. Large, and circular, with the walls lined in bookshelves much like the library that I had found on my last visit. But in the middle of the room was a large desk, behind which Nathaniel sat, and just behind him was a large bay window.
Josephine stood just to his right, her hand resting on his shoulder. I couldn’t read her face, but when her eyes fell on me, she gave a small, almost sad, smile.
My stomach twisted. Did she know what was in store for us?
She’d been so kind to me last time I was here, but I knew better than to believe that would make a difference now. This was business. It wasn’t personal.
And that was a terrifying thought.
Nathaniel dismissed the butler with a wave, leaving only myself, the boys, and Mr. Tyson in the room. The door snapped closed behind us, and we stood in silence as Nathaniel eyed the boys. His sharp features were intense, and I couldn’t quite decipher his expression. He didn’t seem angry, exactly. He just seemed to be thinking. Considering.
None of the boys spoke up, and I took that as a sign that I shouldn’t speak—yet—either.
Finally, drawing in a breath, Nathaniel carded his fingers together and spoke.
“I hear there’s a lot that we need to discuss, boys. I don’t think I need to ask the question, but I will anyway. What happened with Flint?”
Bishop rolled his shoulders, lifting his chin slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Nathaniel frowned. “Don’t beat around the bush, Madigan. I’m not in the mood. I don’t like being yanked around, and you’re not old nor wise enough to do it well, despite what you might think. What the fuck happened?”
A muscle in Bishop’s jaw twitched, and he opened his mouth to speak again, but I stepped forward, fear urging me on.
“It was my fault!” I blurted, before a single word could come out of Bishop’s mouth.
Three heads snapped to me, three horrified sets of eyes widening as the boys all tensed.
“Cora—”
“No.” I held out my hand, shaking my head as I met their gazes.
My voice was surprisingly steady, and I realized that, although I was still afraid, it was nowhere near the same kind of terror I’d felt a moment ago. Because I knew what I had to do now. I knew the Lost Boys might never forgive me for it, but I couldn’t stand by and let them take the blame for this. If there was a life that would be forfeit, there was only one I could allow it to be.
A blanket of tension fell over the room, but I didn’t let the weight of it stop me. Instead, I turned my attention back to Nathaniel. Gathering my courage and composure, I walked up to the desk, speaking plainly and calmly, just like Mr. Tyson had done.
“No, this is my fault. Nathaniel wants to know the truth, and the truth is, it was my fault. I agreed to meet with Flint because he told me he had information about my father. I thought maybe he would have some information about who or what had led to my dad getting arrested, and I was desperate to help get my father out of trouble. But… instead of telling me anything, he led me away from where we’d agreed to meet.”
