Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale

17

Trace stalked forward,those violet eyes flashing. “You breathe her air again, and I will slice you from dick to brain.”

Alister’s two guards stepped forward, their teeth bared.

Alister held up both hands, a placating smile in place. “Now, now, everyone, just calm down. I apologize. I meant no harm.”

Ronan growled low and muttered something I couldn’t make out under his breath.

“I simply meant it as a compliment,” Alister continued, that perfect politician voice in place. “I only came to make amends.”

Dash’s blue eyes went cold. “Did you consider that your presence might do more harm than good?”

Alister morphed his expression into one of exaggerated empathy. “I hadn’t considered that.” His gaze slid to me, feeling slimy on my skin. “Do you need me to leave, Leighton?”

I lifted my chin. I knew an unspoken challenge when I heard it. “Say what you need to, but you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

Alister’s lips twitched, but one of the guards behind him snarled.

“Show the king of the den some respect,” the guard snapped.

Alister waved him off. “The girl is allowed to speak her mind.” He studied me, his eyes tracking over my body again. They hitched on several of my scars along the way. Something flared in those dark depths, but it was gone too quickly for me to place it.

He focused on my face once more. “I’m incredibly sorry for what my son put you through. I know there’s no excuse, but he’s been tormented by his exclusion from the bond that he was clearly meant to be a part of.”

“If there’s anyone to blame for that, it’s you,” Ronan gritted out.

Alister arched a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Damien didn’t come out of the womb evil. Someone made him that way. And it was his darkness that kept the fates from including him in our bond,” Ronan said, voice cold.

Red flashed in Alister’s eyes for the briefest of moments. “Nature versus nurture. It’s a debate as old as time.”

“Except, you forget that we knew Damien when he was little,” Colt challenged. “We saw him change.”

Alister shrugged. “Some bad influences entered my son’s life. You know them. I believe you questioned one of them.”

Lucien’s screams filled my mind, and I shoved the memory down.

Declan stepped forward, shoulders squaring. “We did what was necessary.”

Alister picked at his thumbnail. “But it didn’t get you very far, did it?”

Trace charged forward, but Ronan caught him by the back of his shirt.

Alister laughed. “Now, now, boy. You wouldn’t want to start a battle you can’t finish.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Colt said calmly. “We have the alliances on our side. After what your son has done, there isn’t a supernatural in Emerald Bay except for the vamps who wouldn’t take up arms against you. So, it’s you who needs to watch your step.”

The red was back in Alister’s eyes, and this time, it stuck around a little longer. “My son’s actions don’t speak for my people. The Assembly understands that. I’ve allowed them to search my lands. My son isn’t there.”

“Then where is he?” Dash asked, tone flat.

Alister waved his hand in the air. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Not good enough,” Ronan growled.

Alister’s eyes narrowed on Ronan. “I have given more than my share of good faith measures.”

Ronan scoffed.

“I’ve cast out Lucien, even though his parents are high-ranking members of my cabinet.”

“Oh, boo-hoo,” Ronan shot back.

Alister’s jaw clamped shut. “I’ve removed my son from the line of succession. The heir that I’ve trained his entire life.”

Trace made a gagging noise. “Maybe that training is the reason for him going psycho.”

Alister ignored Trace. “Now, I’m forced to start from scratch with my second eldest. He doesn’t show the same promise that Damien did.”

Did this idiot seriously expect me to feel bad for him? I stared at the man. “I’m sorry if I can’t rustle up a whole lot of sympathy for you right now. Because I find it extremely hard to believe you didn’t know this was in your son. You could’ve stopped him, and you didn’t.”

Again, something flashed in Alister’s gaze. It was quick, but I managed to grab hold this time. It was glee. Alister loved that his son was a monster because he was one, too.

“No one can control another’s actions, Leighton. I’d think you’d understand that by now.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Maybe not, but a good parent can guide their child and step in when they’re getting out of line.”

“And what about you?” Alister asked. “Is your mother guiding you?”

“That’s enough,” Ronan barked. “You’ve said what you needed to, and now you can leave.”

“Touchy, touchy, touchy. I wonder why,” Alister singsonged.

Trace snarled in Alister’s direction, purple sparks dancing across his fingertips.

Alister glanced at him with disdain. “Speaking of someone who needs to learn control.”

Rage pulsed deep inside me. “Or maybe Trace just knows exactly when he should lose it.”

Alister arched a brow at me. “Pot, kettle.” He sighed, motioning to his guards. “I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology, Leighton. I’d love it if we could be friends.”

The man was as nutty as his son.

“Of course, Alister,” I cooed. “But be sure to bring your glitter nail polish when I call you for the sleepover.”

Dash snorted, and Declan choked on a laugh.

Rage swept through Alister’s expression, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

The door slammed behind him and his men, and no one moved for a few beats.

Finally, it was Declan who spoke. “That was fucked.”

Dash exhaled a breath. “It was a test.”

I glanced at him in question.

“He wanted to see just how angry we are. Wanted to see our weaknesses. Wanted to see if Leighton was going to break,” Dash explained.

I swallowed hard.

Colt squeezed my shoulder. “But now he knows Leighton is stronger than he thought.”

Pride swept through me at Colt’s words, but it died at the look on Ronan’s face.

He shook his head. “Everything Alister said was a carefully crafted lie. He’s planning something, and we’re in the crosshairs.”