Page 27

Kaleb stood before them with his head angled downwards. His jaw tightened beneath a flushed appearance, one that had remained after the guardian’s resistance.

“The half-human forced her grip on me, eldest brother. I took it upon myself to seek retribution for such impertinence.

The scheme you all witnessed was created and implemented by Alek, aimed at killing two birds with one stone. Two of our guardians pitted against each other; one posed as an intruder to expel the new guardian’s demise. If news had leaked from credible sources, the CEG’s reputation would have crumbled to dust.”

Christopher motioned his head toward my direction. “Alek, do you deny or confirm these allegations?”

My shoulders straightened as I struggled to swallow. Two outcomes took root before me: share the punishment with Kaleb or let him suffer. Although it wouldn’t make up for everything he’s done, at the minimum, he’d get a taste of his own medicine.

Raphael’s eyes widened as I met them.

By no means would I allow Kaleb to haul him into the hell I’ve dealt with for the past five years for a minute of satisfaction.

“I confirm them, Eldest Brother.”

Christopher stood with towering, straightened shoulders. “Alek, you’re pardoned." He waved his hand in the air, my head instantly nodding as I melted into my seat.

“Kaleb, your private feedings will be restricted for an entire month, and you will attend hospital visitations for the time being. There will also be no more schemes for the remainder of the year.” Christopher began making his way through the gathering room and then mentioned, “And lastly, once the new private guardian is reinstated in her duties, she will receive an apology before all of us. Until then, no one is to visit her.”

The household had ceaselessly bore a silence that transcended beyond the walls to a deafening strum. Through the years, we had grown accustomed to it to avoid filling the void our mother left in her wake. Yet now, the same stillness caused a wave of suffocation, our own presences affray with the cemented mood. It pestered in spite of my brother's exits, tugging at the tension along my bones.

The ache had risen when the twins brought forth the guardian into the meeting. It had intensified as her behavior shifted from fire to ice, showcasing what she was fully capable of.

Her innate ability to stand her ground, seize control of chaos, suspend an audience with fear, all within minutes.

The scene of it was both intriguing and appalling.

In truth, I had seen it before with our mother during her episodes, where she’d alter from the sweet, caring figure we were familiar with throughout the day to one that screamed and clawed at herself during the late nights.

Five years since our mother’s death and the same instincts managed to take hold of me during the guardian’s episode. It was a near replica of our mothers. From how she burrowed herself into a ball and rocked back and forth to her movements stilling once I wrapped my arms around her body. She’d soothed down when I settled her in her chamber, the imprint of her body on my chest a lingering ghost.

Yet I hovered in her presence until Sonia’s arrival. I itched to see her now.

I couldn’t bring myself to deny the intrigue that had begun to blossom when I witnessed her on the first day. But why was that so? My brothers and I had endured countless private guardians before her. Yet, they couldn’t compare to her.

She was defiant and stubborn. Alluring yet uncanny.

The answer to my question was at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it whole. It only emphasized the feeling that had been buried alongside our mother.

Hope.

The desire to drown it surfaced, my fingers aching to meet my piano as I made my way to my chamber.

Kaleb blurred beside me, his hand slamming me against my chamber door. Sharp pain sprouted beneath my cheek as his hold weighed me down, yet an unsteadiness hollowed out his grip.

The Kaleb before me was a frazzled shell of his calculative self. It was truly a sight.

Christopher must have shaken him dearly.My tongue rested against the top of my mouth while my jaw hardened.

“I’m going to cut to the chase,” he murmured. “I don’t give a bloody hell about what the eldest has declared. I’m not letting that pest get away so easily.”

His fingers dug into my skin and pulled me closer. “You’re going to continue with this scheme. If we can’t ruin her and the CEG altogether, then we’ll take them down one by one— beginning with her. Crush her mentally. Emotionally.”

“Why?” The word slipped my lips as a whisper before I could bite it away as a thought.

His face closed the gap between us. “Why? Oh Alek, don’t feign ignorance now. We are both very aware of the girl’s capabilities. If we follow Christopher’s command, then how long until she rips our throats? You saw the way she attacked. She’s not a mundane guardian, and that’s much more dangerous.”

Dangerous for us or you?