“What would I gain from flowers?” He smiles sadly.
“I can’t do this.” I sigh, the sound loud in the stillness. “You’re Jekyll and Hyde.”
“I’m the same man I always was. I never hid that from you.”
“No.” I step away, and he grabs my wrist.
“You are done leaving. There’s nowhere left to go, and time has run out.”
“What time?”
“Did you think I could let you flit about doing what you wanted indefinitely without it damaging my reputation? People are asking questions. I need to stay one step ahead of them with answers and a united court. You’re a part of this now. Hate me if you want in private, but never let that show in public. I tried the patient and kind approach. You didn’t respond, so now I’m telling you.” I tug my arm, and he doesn’t budge. “You will not endanger this family.”
“I’m not trying to.”
“Then learn how it all works.” He releases me, and I stumble back. “Are we going to do this amicably, or do you want to continue to waste time fighting over a victory I’ve already won?”
“For the others?”
“If that makes you feel better, yes. Eventually, this anger you’re holding on to will burn away and all that will remain is the truth of how we feel about one another.” His cool fingers caress my face.
I turn my head away. “You underestimate how quickly love can turn to hate.”
“By now, I’ve learned to tell my enemies from my foes. You wield power, and I respect you, but I don’t fear you. I never will. Nor should you fear—” He stops and peers into the distance.
Seconds later, Percival appears with Miles beside him. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s been a call. They’ve found another body.”
&nbs
p; “In our territory?” Cristobal asks.
“Yes.”
Ruby zooms in, joining the boys. “Shall I call the Rippers?”
Cristobal grimaces. “No, not yet. Let me handle this. Once might be a mistake made by a Youngling, twice is a pattern. A third can’t happen.”
“A pattern of murders? I haven’t heard anything about this.” I frown.
“That’s the point, dove. Where was this one found?” Cristobal asks.
Miles points to the east. “In the Ridge Parish.”
With furrowed brow, Cristobal shakes his head. “They’re moving closer to us.”
“Are you sure you don’t need Rippers? They’re trained for this,” Ruby argues.
“I don’t want to invite the devil inside. They’re appointed as the assassin race for a reason. If we can avoid them all together, it’d be wise,” Cristobal states. He crosses his arms, causing the gray suit to pull taut at the elbows.
“You haven’t spent time with them, Ruby. It’s like having a power-hungry maniac sleeping under the same roof. They rule by might and domination. If you think some of the others are left in the dark ages, it’s only because you’ve yet to meet the Rippers. Some people believe the trace of madness that existed in their maker, Jack, is passed down,” Marcellus explains.
“I suspect someone made that youngling and dropped him in our territory to test us and draw unwarranted attention our way. They want to see how quickly we can respond and if we’ll call in outside help.” Cristobal growls.
Ruby seems either confused or shocked, I’m not sure which. “Who would be so bold or stupid?” she asks.
With a seemingly careless lift of his shoulder, Cristobal replies, “Anyone ambitious enough to see beyond the danger, or hired outside help. Was it the same M.O.?”
“Yes.” Percival nods. “A sloppy kill, distinct fang marks, mangled by tearing, her body devoid of blood in a semi-public place.”