There was a long silence, until Raoul cleared his throat and looked around the table.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Vivienne’s here. Let’s eat.”
***
Evelyn could only blink as Cassie finished reciting her trip down memory lane with Alexander. Her father, still confused at finding out he was the only human in a family of immortal beings, had long since left. He’d gone to Maryland once more. It was unsafe for him to be with them until the problem that was Maximilian Cronin was permanently resolved.
“And he showed you his memories?” Evelyn asked, as if doubtful of the fact. They were sitting on the bed in her bedroom, and her mother looked as if she was torn between believing her daughter and not believing Alexander Petraeus.
Cassandre nodded.
Evelyn shook her head. “I have always heard the stories, ma puce. My mother mentioned him to me once before her death, and even she seemed a bit terrified of him.”
“Where did you hear about him?”
She focused on her daughter, and Cassie saw the pain in her eyes as she spoke.
“My mother sent me away when I was sixteen. She knew Cronin was tracking her. She had a friend, a Mademoiselle Decroix, who took me in. Mademoiselle Decroix lived the life of a human—she ran a bordello—but she was a witch, cast out of her covenant. She told me much of what I know of Alexander Petraeus.”
Cassandre nodded, and replied, “But don’t you see, Mom? The witches fear him, and the druids embrace him. It was a war, and they tricked him, tried to kill him, and banished his people.”
Her mother’s stare was so intense that Cassie blinked and briefly looked away.
“It seems that you’ve already convinced yourself of Alexander’s innocence, ma chère.”
“It’s not about guilt or innocence.” She paused and licked her hips, breathing out deeply. Her mother didn’t understand. “No one was innocent in that war. He admits to the murder of twelve grand wizards, but they blooded him, Mom. I saw it. They slit his neck, drained him dry, and used his blood to open the portal.”
Nodding, Evelyn stood. “And you’ve decided to resurrect the druids?”
Cassie nodded and then shook her head. “If it is as Alexander said then they were banished unfairly. Should an entire race be punished for the crimes of a few?”
Instead of answering, Evelyn stated, “If it is as Alexander says, ma chère.”
“I don’t think he was lying.”
Evelyn sighed. “No, ma chère. You wouldn’t.”
***
Kyros, Max called silently, listening for any sound of acknowledgement on the part of the warlock.
I am here. The man sounded tired. Max found that strange. It was close to noon.
I can’t locate you. I’ve been trying for almost an hour.
Try again. You’re near. Every syllable seemed to take great effort from the warlock, and Max contemplated asking him what was wrong.
He concentrated hard, closing his eyes and allowing the warlock’s essence to guide him forward. His father had left recently with a large group of his trackers, so Max took this as the perfect opportunity to find Kyros, and find out who he was.
I can feel you. You’re getting closer.
Max’s concentration led him to what looked like a steel door behind a trap door on the first floor. There was no keyhole. He touched his palm to it, and was immediately blasted back.
“Fuck,” he muttered, and then decided that “fuck” had to be a swear word. During his time practicing with the trackers, “shit” and “damn” had emerged from some part of his memory as well.
He shook his hand, hoping the stinging ended soon.
Close your eyes, Max. You’ll have to project yourself to me.
Project myself? I don’t know how to do that.
Just close your eyes, and see the cell through me. Think it, Max. You’re strong enough to do it.
Max blinked. This could =be a well-orchestrated trap, but he had to know who he was. It was beginning to grate on him, knowing only those select things his father shared. He closed his eyes and found himself staring at a dark cell. Huddled in the corner was a man. Max looked around, and then felt himself drifting back to his own body.
Drawing in a deep breath, he thought hard and long about being in that cell.
“I knew you were strong.”
At first, he though he was hearing the voice in his head, and was about to reply mentally that he wasn’t, when he opened his eyes. He was in the cell, physically inside it. The bundle against the wall had shifted, and he could see pale white hair streaming over the man’s face.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked immediately, moving over to Kyros.