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I can’t accept it.
I won’t let what I have with Finn die, just like everything else in my past.
Stalking down the hallway, I make my way to the office, where I know I’ll find Ares. The Lancasters have been good friends with my father for years. And even though I didn’t want the life that I was born into, Ares was still a good man, and one that I know will help me.
I knock twice before pushing open the door to find him and Philipe, his older brother, sitting on the sofas near the fire. I shut the door and move deeper into the antique-filled room.
“It’s good to see you,” Philipe says, pushing to his feet and offering his hand, which I accept with a smile. We shake once in greeting. “I didn’t think you’d ever return to Tynewood.” He’s right, not even I thought I would ever come back. But I didn’t have a choice. It was taken from me. But I don’t tell him that.
“Same. How’s the Big Apple treating you?” He is the eldest of the four who run the Gilded Sovereign. Being the first born, he was to step into his father’s shoes. But I get the impression that Ares has been holding it together while his brother runs a club in New York.
“It’s busy,” he admits. “I’m opening three more venues over the next few months, so I’ll be away. I thought I should come and see how my little brother is doing before I disappear into the club scene for six months.”
“And he wanted to make sure I haven’t killed anyone,” Ares throws in as he leans back and settles his ankle on the opposite knee. He looks like a king. He has the air of a ruler, and I wonder why Philipe doesn’t just walk away from the Sovereign. It’s something I would do. Which is what I’m doing in his office.
“I need your help with something,” I say, glancing at one of my oldest friends. Even though I left Tynewood, I know I can always come back here, and the Sovereign have to help. My father walked out, leaving this life, and living in the next town over. When he left me with the Birchwoods, I thought my life was over, but I realized he only wanted me to become part of a society that could propel me forward in life.
“Anything for you, Jarred,” Ares says. “Sit. Let’s talk and I’ll see how the Sovereign can help you.” With connections all over the world, in every city on every continent, they have grown substantially since I last heard about them. Growing up, we were to learn about the traditions, the rules, and all we can achieve as part of the Society. But I didn’t go through with it. Instead, I focused on the normal life I believed I wanted.
“I need to get back to Thorne Haven, but I want to go back with an offer,” I tell Ares. Philipe settles on the opposite sofa, in his hand a tumbler with bourbon. The scent is strong, and I want to smile at the fact that he’s drinking at midday. I suppose when you’re used to the lifestyle of partying non-stop, you pick up certain habits.
“And what offer would you like to give the Thornes?” Ares seems interested, so all I can do is pray he’ll allow me to take my place in the Sovereign and do what is required of me. Whatever that may be.
If I can become one of them, I can impress Bradford, but I can also put myself on Finn’s level. I can show him that I did lie, but I changed who I am to be with him. And being part of the society will give me the option to offer Finn the chance to live a life he wants.
I take a deep breath and dive right into my favor. “I’d like to go to the Elders of the Silver Sovereign and offer myself to them in place of Finn Thorne.”
Silence.
Ares watches me for a long moment before glancing over at his brother. I know they will have to talk about it. This isn’t a decision they can take lightly. Being born as part of the Gilded, I should become one of them. But with me asking to leave them and join another society, it’s against all the rules. They may work together to run the world, but they don’t like each other. It’s all part of the business. Agreements set in place thousands of years ago.
The reason I’m asking this is because if I become one of them, Finn can just be him. He doesn’t need to do anything that is requested of him. And as I pray that they will accept my choice, I hope it’s not too late.
