Chapter 203
It’s raining. I can see the Eiffel Tower from the window in our bathroom. It was the reason why I chose this apartment when I moved here. I look back at the bedroom and I realize that I haven’t been here in almost a year. I open the door to find that it doesn’t lead to my bedroom.
I step out into what appears to be an old Victorian nursery room. It’s massive. There are several bassinets lined with chiffon and ribbons. The one closest to the window has my name in a pretty script stitched into it. The one beside it reads Derek. I approach the bassinet to see that there’s a toy wolf inside. A silver one. The same in Derek’s.
I jump when the door I walked through shuts closed. I walk back to it and just and wave my hand in his face.
reach for the knob, it’s opened. Derek is standing there. I look around
“What the hell are you doing?” he asks.
“You can see me?”
We both stare at one another for a moment. Are we dreaming in the same dream? We can
“What is happening?” he asks. I shrug and turn back to the cribs.
“I think we’re asleep.”
“Very clever,”
Derek growls and steps in front of me protectively.
“That’s her,” I say, placing my hand on his wrist. “That’s Elize Rizen.”
The way she looks between us tells me that she didn’t expect us to be getting along. Honestly, I’m just as surprised given our predicament. I’m not sure how any of this even started, but after some time getting to know him, I see him as my brother just as much as I see Perry as my sister. Standing here with the two of them, inches apart, I can see how we’re related.
“How did you two find one another?” she asks. “You are worlds apart.” We don’t answer. “I know you both know about Pernicious. Who else?”
“What do you want?” Derek asks. Who else? There are more?
“Try as they might, they’ll never know we can communicate this way. Thank you, Phoebe, for helping me find your brother. You two have quite the connection. He’s worried about you. About your family. It’s becoming a part of his weaknesses. He doesn’t have many of those, just like you.”
“What do you want?” Derek repeats a little louder and with more impatience.
“To warn you,” she walks to the other side of the room, to where the last bassinets are. “You two were the only pups I gave you are. The others were created through surrogates. There is another on the way.”
“Why should we believe anything you say?” he growls.
birth to.
It’s why you are what
“It doesn’t matter to me if you do. It doesn’t change the truth. This one,” she places her hand on the bassinet. There’s no name on it. “She was entrusted to a witch. The affinities we carry will amplify sevenfold.”
“A witch with the power of a silverback? What is the witch’s name?” Derek demands without hesitation.
“So you understand what must be done?”
“Wait,” I step between them. “We’re talking about a child.”
“Phoebe,” he sighs. “This is one of those things we can’t risk.”
“You mean how not that long ago your crazy ass mom tried to kill me and my kids? How everyone decided that I needed to die because of what I am.
1/3
How is this any
different?”
“You can’t open a gateway to hell, Phoshe” he shafts.
“Wait, this is what Sloane was talking about. We all brushed her off as crazy”
“You’ve spoken with my mother?” Eliza asks.
“She’s with the traditionalist who sent me a warning.”
“Traditionalist sent you a warning? Why?”
“The new laws between us and the rogues,” Derek answers. “What is the witch’s name
“Tamara Helios.”
“The owner of Helios fashion?” I ask, looking between them. “I know her. She and her husband have been trying to have a baby for years.
“Where was she taking treatment for that?” Derek asks.
“I don’t know. She always gave me the creeps. The way she looked at the twins was very off–putting.”
“There are twelve,” Derek says. “There are only five of us.”
“Phoebe was-” she pauses, looking at me. “An accident. I was twenty–two and reckless. When your father and I finally removed the former King and placed the new one, we had lost sight of Phoebe. You were created out of convenience.
“We never thought she would find her way back. Your siblings are his work. All are placed around you for your protection. Now that the two of you are together, things are changing–the power the two of you have, along with Pernicious.
“The higher–ups are upset that she’s forced herself into something she knows nothing about. Lycan Tech is dominating economically. We don’t know how or the strategy behind it. It’s got them riled up.”
“I don’t know anything about that,” I admit. “Just that she owns it.”
“Me too,” Derek adds.
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