Shadows of Discovery by Brenda K. Davies
Chapter Fifty-Five
Cole followedLexi into the passage. The damp earth aroma hung heavily in the air as the shadows danced away from her beam. They coalesced behind her to glide over his skin.
Their presence fueled his power, and his fingers flexed as he prepared to use the air against his brother if it became necessary.
“What is this place?” Brokk inquired.
“It’s supposed to be a secret,” Sahira said.
Lexi didn’t respond as she turned a corner. When she did, her beam caught and reflected in Orin’s black eyes. However, she didn’t see him. Cole did, though.
Orin smiled at him. “Hello, Cole. Brokk.”
Lexi and Sahira jumped as Brokk stopped walking.
“Holy shit,” Brokk blurted. “Holy shit!”
When Orin emerged from the shadows, Cole’s gaze raked over him. He’d caught glimpses of his brother on the battlefield during the war, but this was the closest they’d been in a few years.
The last time Cole saw Orin this close, his brother told their father that he wasn’t doing enough to take down the Lord, and he was joining the rebellion. Cole tried to follow him out the door to tell him he was making a mistake, or to beat some sense into him, if that was what it took.
His father stopped him and told Cole to let him go. His father believed Orin needed to follow his own path, even if it went against his. Tove had set him free, knowing full well he might never see his son again, and he never did.
And now, their father was dead. A big part of why stood across from him looking as arrogant as always. His father had sought to keep Orin alive, and Cole would try to respect that, but he’d kill Orin if it became necessary to save the Gloaming.
Brother or not, he was only one life compared to thousands.
At one time, he and Orin were extremely close. With only thirty-five years separating them, Orin was closest to him in age. They’d butted heads numerous times, but they worked it out by punching each other or laughing it off before going out to share drinks and prowl for women.
They would not get over their differences so easily this time.
Lexi edged away from Orin and closer to him, but she didn’t get too close. Cole studied Orin and Lexi as he tried to gauge their reaction to each other.
Sahira stared at Orin with an expression of utter confusion. She looked to Lexi and then to Cole; whatever she saw on his face made her eyes widen, and she stepped away.
“What’s going on here?” Sahira asked. “And who are you?”
“This is Cole’s brother, Orin,” Lexi said when no one else answered her.
Sahira gawked at her. “What did you do?”
Lexi’s chin rose, and pride burned in her eyes when they met Cole’s. She stared at him as she answered her aunt. “The right thing.”
Her defiance caused his fingers to twitch. He wasn’t used to anyone being so openly defiant of him, and while he admired her for it, it also pissed him off.
“I was wondering when she would bring you here,” Orin said.
Lexi frowned at him. “Why did you think I’d bring him here?”
“You’ve got a rebellious side, Kitten, but you’re not one for secrets. It was only a matter of time before you spilled to big bro.”
“Don’t call me that!”
The nickname caused the hair on Cole’s nape to rise. His muscles swelled as the lycan tried to assert its dominance. “If you knew I was coming, then why didn’t you run?”
“Because the Lord killed our father, and I knew you would seek revenge for that.”
“And you’re going to help me get it?”
“Yes.”
“Are you gathering forces to start another rebellion?” Cole demanded as he stepped toward his brother. For once, Orin had the sense to look a little wary as he edged away. “The Lord believes you are. That’s why he killed Father.”
Orin’s eyes shifted to the shadows behind him. His Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed before speaking again. “The rebellion never ended just because the war did.”
“How many fighters do you have?”
“Not enough.”
“How. Many?” Cole bit out.
“A couple hundred at most, and that’s being generous.”
“Not enough,” Brokk murmured.
Nowhere near enough, Cole thought. Their father died for the rumors of a rebellion that could do nothing to the Lord. He would change that.
“You look familiar,” Orin said as he prowled toward Sahira. “Do we know each other?”
“I’ve never seen you before,” Sahira said.
Orin stopped circling to stand in front of her as he rubbed his chin. “Are you sure we don’t know each other?”
Lexi’s brow furrowed as she watched them; Cole absorbed her reactions as he tried to ascertain if they were real or not.
The witch frowned when his brother grasped a strand of her mahogany-colored hair. She yanked it away and glared at Orin.
“I’m positive I don’t know you,” she spat.
“I swear I’ve seen you before, or maybe I’ve been inside you. There’s been so many over the years, and they all blend together.”
Sahira looked like a tiger tossed into a bubble bath. “I’d never fuck a dark fae.”
“Never say never, beautiful lady. We are quite… intriguing.”
“That’s enough,” Cole growled.
Watching the interaction between them was enough to convince him that Sahira did not know of Orin’s presence down here. Orin’s black eyes gleamed when they shifted back to him.
“Have you claimed the throne yet?”
“I have.”
“Did the throne or the trials infuse you with so much more power?”
“The trials.”
“Interesting,” Orin murmured as he studied him. “You feel stronger than Father; is that because you recently completed the trials, or is it permanent?”
“Time will tell,” Cole said. “Where’s Varo?”
“Elsewhere.”
“Is he well?”
Orin shrugged. “Are any of us? Well… I guess you’re well. You are the king of the dark fae now. Father would be so proud.”
“I had no choice. Unlike you, I can’t throw my duties and family aside for the sake of my pride and a chance at glory.”
Orin’s jaw clenched, but Cole continued before his brother could speak.
“When the Lord killed our father, he made it clear I either took the throne or he would destroy the Gloaming.”
“And if you died during the trials?”
“I’m sure part of him wishes I did.”
“And I’m sure part of you is thrilled to have so much power and all the glory that will come with it.”