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Leon nodded.“Yes, Commander.Though I’ve requested permission to remain in London a while longer to complete my reports for the Met and tie up any loose ends.”

“You have my gratitude and that of Scotland Yard.”Winterbourne finally turned to Evander.“Ravenwood, I’d like you to focus on finding the Crimson Codex and liaising with the international representatives who will be assisting us on this matter.As both a peer of the realm and one of the few people in England who understands the full scope of this threat, you’re uniquely positioned to facilitate cooperation between our countries.”

Evander nodded.“Of course, Commander.”

The gravity of the role Winterbourne had entrusted him with was not lost on Evander.He swallowed a sigh at the thought of what the Queen would have to say about it when word reached her ears.

Chapter45

Raindrops tappeda gentle rhythm against the window of the private study adjacent to Evander’s bedchamber, the dismal weather matching the turmoil of the past week and his mood.

He stood in front of the enchanted map of London above the marble fireplace, his gaze lost amidst the orange dots glowing warmly beneath the glass case while he sipped a glass of brandy.

Though his body ached with exhaustion from the events of the last two days, his mind refused to quiet.Solomon’s abduction, the confrontation with Musgrave, the rescue of the missing thralls and professors, the reports to Winterbourne, and last but not least, the summons he had received that afternoon to appear before the Ministry of Arcane Affairs—all of it had left him drained to the marrow of his bones.

And yet, beneath it all, a fierce elation burned.They had succeeded against tremendous odds.He, Viggo, the Met,Nightshade.Even if the mysterious “I” remained at large, they had dismantled a significant portion of his operation in London and saved countless innocent lives in the process.

A gentle knock at the door pulled Evander from his thoughts.

“Your Grace?”Hargrove appeared, his eyes twinkling despite his neutral expression.“Mr.Stonewall has arrived.”

Evander’s heart leapt in his chest.“Show him in, please.”

“Of course, my Lord.”Hargrove hesitated.“Shall I have a light supper prepared?”

“Yes, that would be appreciated.”

The manservant bowed and departed, leaving Evander to smooth down his waistcoat and run a hand through his hair.He’d returned home that morning to quickly shower and change out of his dirt-stained clothes.He was in dire need of a proper bath still.

Soft footfalls in the corridor announced Viggo’s approach.It never ceased to amaze Evander how quiet his lover could be for a man his size.

The Brute entered the room and paused on the threshold, his massive frame filling the doorway.Although he too had changed, the shadows beneath his eyes betrayed his exhaustion.

Their gazes locked across the room, Viggo drinking in the sight of him like a parched man.

“You look terrible,” he said, his lips quirking in a half smile.

Evander smiled back, his muscles finally loosening.“Your flattery never ceases to amaze me.”

Viggo grinned.“It’s the truth.”He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.“Have you slept at all since yesterday?”

“Have you?”Evander said softly, walking over to him.

The Brute’s smile faded as he accepted his embrace.“How could I?Every time I close my eyes, I see that laboratory and those poor souls trapped in those glass tanks.”He sighed into Evander’s hair, his arms tightening briefly on his back.

“How’s Solomon?”

“Chomping at the bit to be discharged,” Viggo drawled, exasperation underscoring his words.“If it wasn’t for Ginny lambasting him, he would have sneaked out of the damn infirmary by now.”

Evander chuckled.“I really need to thank her for everything she’s done.”He let go of Viggo and crossed the room to pour him a glass of brandy from a crystal decanter.

“To survival,” Evander said quietly, raising his glass.

Viggo clinked his glass against Evander’s, his eyes darkening.“To survival.”

They drank in companionable silence, the tension of the past days slowly ebbing away.Evander found himself studying Viggo’s face, tracing the lines of weariness around his eyes, the set of his jaw, the way the firelight played across his skin.

“What?”Viggo asked, catching his stare.