chapter forty-two
The compound is a vast structure that’s approximately one hundred thousand square feet. It’s under a chateau in the French countryside. It’s like living in an underground town. It’s equipped with a theater, a medical facility, a gym, a pool and spa, game areas, dining rooms, and coffee bars.
The people missing on Adam Conte’s list are here in the compound. They were rescued by Inanna and the others before the Lares could find them and terminate them. That’s what it’s called when the Lares kill your parents and your uncle. Terminated.
They were terminated.
Just like that.
Bastet arches her back and rubs against my leg. She can sense my worry.
I twist the red string Yuè Lâo gave me. The one that connects me to Marek. He’s on his quest to hide the Parzalis with Bjorn. He should be done in a week. We barely had time for a goodbye in Florence. And the one we did have was quick. I miss him. Need him.
I’m in the medical facility watching my brother through a thick window. Dalton’s in a hospital bed with all kinds of tubes connecting him to machines. The transfusion will slow down his metamorphosis into a beast.
One day, I’ll have to kill him.
Shona wraps her arm around mine. “He’s going to be fine, you’ll see. Cain is back to normal.” She’s doing better since learning about her dad. It has to be tough. Her strength impresses me.
“How long will it keep him normal?” I place my hand on the window as if Dalton can feel my touch. I hope he can sense me. Cain and the doorman had the treatment, and they’re doing well. I actually like the real Cain.
“It depends on the individual.” Shona glances over her shoulder when someone enters the room. “The earliest change happened in three months. The longest, almost a year. I heard they are going to try a second transfusion on a Risen. See if they can delay the change longer.”
“How do you live knowing that’s going to happen? That he’ll change one day.” It’s a question more for me than for her.
“I have hope. They’re working on a cure. Maybe they’ll find it in time.” She tugs on my arm. “Come on. It’s going to be a while before he’s ready.”
Jane comes to my side and covers my hand with hers. “I’ve been afraid of you ever since—” Her voice cracks, and she clears her throat. “Ever since Eli brought my brother back to life. He turned into one of those things… Eli didn’t stop him. He couldn’t do it. Three men died on a golf course before the police shot my brother.”
So that’s why she kept her distance. Always on edge when I was around. Making me feel unloved by her. I’m not going to get into it with her here. Not with Dalton in this state.
“And Lugh?” I ask.
“It was a mistake.” Her hand withdraws from mine. “Eli and I were separated. We had been fighting a lot. Mostly from the stress of in vitro fertilization. I never lied to Eli. He knew Dalton wasn’t his biological son. Eli loved Dalton as if he were.”
I didn’t doubt that. Dad showed both Dalton and me his love every day.
“I’m tired,” I say. “I want to check on Sid before bed.” It’s my way to escape whatever this is. A confession?
Shona gets my cue and opens the door. “You want a snack first? I have to stop at the food court. If I don’t bring Sid candy when I visit, he gets grumpy.” She ushers me out, and I don’t look back. Jane has what she’s always wanted.
Me gone.