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“I would count against it,” Alek said, “since you may risk Tristan’s role.”

I rolled my eyes. “So, what? We continue sneaking away in hopes your brother sees us? And then what? I become your full-fledged lover to really sell it to him?”

“We’re not lovers,” he stated.

“Of course not,” I scoffed. “We’re barely even allies walking around until your brother’s fooled. You really think he’s going to believe us when all we do is a whole lot of nothing?”

Alek’s nostrils flared as he clenched his jaw. “Then what do you suggest we do, Katerina?” My name was venom on his tongue, a word he firmly spat out.

Two can play that game.

“Holding hands while waiting around will only get us so far.” I looked away from him as heat surged through my body. Since when was it hot? “If you want to find the notebook, search for more ways than one. If you want your brother to think you’re doing something, act like it, Alek.”

ChapterFourteen

ALEK SEPHTIS

Ms. Eli’s words severely plagued my mind, the nightmares a mere haze to the echoes of her deep, soft voice.

If you want to find the notebook, search in more ways than one.

The garden conveyed no solace; the piano sunk further away in my chamber as I rooted myself in her indication. She brought up a valuable point. Tristan had yet to locate the man that visited during Kaleb’s feeding. If he continued down this path, the time in our hold would cease, and I couldn’t take such a gamble. One thought ceased that potential outcome.

The key to a new door hung in the vault, yet was the risk worth it?

I hovered before my door, the question weighing my footing and my hands while I tried to step outside. I stopped in my tracks when I noticed Kaleb standing beside the door frame, his dark hair disheveled and eyes aflame. The familiar mask settled in my demeanor, and my body grew rigid as his fingers wrapped around my neck. A reoccurring fire trailed across my veins the deeper his nails dug into my skin.

He drove me back onto my chamber’s carpeted floor, searing pain blossoming against my back.

“Get up.”

Instantly, I followed his command and forced my hands behind my back, my fingers tightening around each other. Our chests roughly met, and he heaved a sigh.

“Dear little brother, what have you done.”

Kaleb rested his fingers against my cheek and leveled my face onto his. His eyes burrowed into mine, his an everlasting calamity that shouted and echoed while mine a deliberate chasm.

A snicker slipped through his sharp grin as he straightened my dress shirt and patted my shoulders. “Tell me, did you miss my presence?”

“Of course, Brother,” I said as I swallowed down the coughs that itched at the back of my throat. He hadn’t paid me a visit since Christopher’s last gathering, the weight of Kaleb’s presence eventually vanishing from my qualms. Now, it weighed heavier than being engulfed by water, a pressing sensation that swiftly saturated the air.

“How has it been playing with the pest? Enjoyable? Riveting?”

“Yes, it has.”

His laughter echoed through the room, his smile anything but joyous. “I must admit, it has been entertaining to see such a sight. It’s a gift in itself to witness my dear little brother flourish into one ofus.” He strolled away and toward my piano, the tip of his elongated nail trailing along the polished outline. “Pity, I must admit, as your time is almost up.”

“Yes, it is,” I murmured, unable to properly assemble my thoughts and form a request. Yet, Kaleb didn’t accept requests— he was the one who granted them.

“I’m feeling generous on this fine day.” His index finger rasped across my piano, gleaming eyes wide. “I’ll grant an extension, dear little brother. I expect the best results by the Christmas Ball. I must witness her ruin without fail. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Brother,” I responded with a nod.

“Additionally, you have done a fine job at reserving this scheme between us. Let’s keep it that way.”

“Thank you, Brother.” I bowed, and his presence diminished as I rose. The air mended to its still nature, one that I longed for after every private meeting with Kaleb.

He was a constant testament to the little authority I possessed, a reminder of the position I was grounded to— submitted at his feet.