AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That was when Isaiah teleported in. Rukia felt the impact of his presence like a kick to the gut, the hollowness in her heart easing at their proximity.
But what she hadn’t expected was the myriad of wounds he wore on his skin. Blood welled in multiple places on his face, abrasions visible on his bare arms and neck. Even as she watched, the wounds were healing. Isaiah met no one’s gaze as he took his seat, but Nero’s eyes tracked him the entire way from the door to his chair.
There was something behind the other sovereign’s gaze that held a warning, a distinct awareness that Rukia couldn’t put her finger on.
Zeke teleported in no less than thirty seconds later, looking much the same as Isaiah. A black eye marred his features and the Raeth walked with a distinct limp. The man didn’t enter the stilted conference room. Instead, he went to where Nina was standing just outside the doors and instantly engaged her in a telepathic conversation.
Nina’s features twisted in anger when her eyes briefly flicked to Isaiah. She managed to conceal that venom before refocusing on the Raeth in front of her. Clearly, the duo was engaging in a telepathic shouting match, their expressions and bodies incapable of hiding their vitriol.
As the air in the conference room became stagnant, every single immortal attempted to disregard the scene playing out before them. Rukia’s interest was piqued, not because she loved drama, but because Isaiah seemed like a key piece of the puzzle.
She willed Isaiah to look at her, to acknowledge her in any fashion, but he only wore a look of hollowness that’d settled bone deep.
Not unlike her own.
When Nina audibly scoffed and stepped away from Ezekiel, he bared his teeth and grabbed her arm. Instantly, Aidan and Drake were on their feet in a wave of hostility, but Nina was no slouch.
Turning on the other sovereign with a flash of speed, Nina’s fist slammed into Zeke’s jaw with a sickening thud. Though he stayed standing, the massive Raeth male had to took a step backward to account for the impact.
Nina was already walking away.
Rukia could only marvel at the other woman’s dauntless display. While she’d known the woman was as fierce as any she’d ever met, she hadn’t expected such a flippant show of strength that left another sovereign caught off guard.
As she straightened her still-pristine blouse, Nina lifted her chin and looked around the room as Drake and Aidan retook their seats. “Shall we begin?”
Zeke, silent but glaring daggers at Isaiah, ruefully took his seat behind her as the doors swung closed of their own accord. Rukia caught herself before she could smile.
If there was anything she could appreciate, it was Nina’s fiery tenacity.
No one had spoken in response to Nina’s query, but she hadn’t needed their permission. “Thank you all for coming. Though we waited for confirmation as to his fate, we cannot allow Gideon’s attack to go unpunished. We need to formulate our response and take action as a unified group.”
“Agreed,” came Isaiah’s muted tones. “They cannot murder one of ours and expect no retaliation.”
Rukia was surprised by his ready response. If she had expected anyone to speak up, it would have been Jeremiah, not the Raeth who continually dodged her line of sight.
“They know where we live,” Tyee said, shaking his head slowly. “If we strike at them, we risk their aggression.”
“Have you no way of defending yourselves?” Nero asked from between two bloodied Raeth sovereigns. “Surely your elements could aid?”
“Yes, but we have children there. Innocents. We’re in no hurry to expose them to the evils of the world,” Tyee replied evenly. “I’m certain you could understand our reluctance to put them in the firing line.”
Nero nodded but said nothing in response.
Clearing his throat, Kane spoke. “If we retaliate, are we not risking a vicious circle? The reason Gideon is dead is because they avenged Victor’s death. If we avenge Gideon, it’ll prompt another round of attacks.”
“Gideon went in waving a white flag,” Rukia growled, her hands fisting. “Victor shot Rona three times and then turned the gun on Gideon.”
Kane softened in the face of her building anger. “But they still left with their lives. Trust me, I’m in no way defending Victor’s actions, but he stood no chance against both of them.”
“Even if we wanted to retaliate, how could we?” Riaz asked. “The only known location we have is the house in Winnetka.”
“So we blow it up and make it look like an accident,” Rukia hissed.
“If we play our cards right, there’d be no loss of life,” Isaiah added without meeting Rukia’s eyes. “Less chance they see it as something they need to avenge.”
Aidan shook his head. “And then we lose the only link we have to the Citizens. That house is the only property we know of, the only line we have to their dealings.”
“No, it isn’t.” Fire burned in Rukia’s veins. “We still haven’t tapped into Lucy’s knowledge.”
