Page 59 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Ryker

“Her power can be used,” my father said.

“And how do you use my power, Father?”

“This is different.”

“And why is that?”

“Because women are silly, gullible fools.”

I bit back a smile. He had no idea how wrong he was when it came to women… especially Ellery. But then, if my father knew she was the lightning bearer, he’d also realize that after everything he’d done, he couldn’t manipulate and use her.

And if he couldn’t control her, he would destroy her.

“I want that lightning bearer,” he stated.

“I’m sure many in the realm do.”

“You’re to find her and bring her to me.”

“I can’t even find the Hooded Robber, Father, remember?”

“You can find the lightning bearer.”

“Maybe, but I’m busy with other things right now.”

“Why do you have such little interest in finding this woman?” he inquired. “Everyone in the realm wants to know who she is.”

“And I’m sure one day we’ll all find out; she’s kept it hidden long enough to become a woman, but she’s already revealed it once and will do so again. When she does, then the realm will learn who she is.

“As I’ve said, I’m in the middle of something else. This woman pissed off Ivan; I’m hunting the one who did the same to me. After I find the Hooded Robber, I’ll help you search for the lightning bearer, but I don’t know how I’ll find her when she’s remained hidden for however many years now.”

“Ivan is devising a plan to draw her out.”

“And that is?”

My father smirked. “I thought you had no interest in uncovering this woman.”

This information was part of the reason I’d returned here today, but I’d been so indifferent about everything else that I couldn’t push this. It would make him suspicious of me.

“I don’t. I just hope Ivan doesn’t burn the realm down to uncover her,” I said.

“Why do you care?”

“I live here too.”

“You’re also trapped here too.”

Oh, how I hated that smirk and this man. One day, I’d punch it off his smug face and make him choke on his teeth. That knowledge made me smirk in return.

“That I am, Father. That I am.”

“Have you ever considered this woman is the Hooded Robber?”

My father was so obsessed with power, money, and being superior to everyone else, that I sometimes forgot he wasn’t a complete buffoon. His ability to deduce this caused my stomach to turn with unease.

If he started putting pieces together, he’d recall Ellery’s knowledge of the Revenant Woods, which was why I’d hired her to help me in the first place. He believed he’d driven us apart but could change his mind.