Page 45 of After Midnight (Skye Druids #7)

Chapter Forty

The whop-whop-whop of the chopper blades filled the space as the aircraft lowered to the ground. Sabryn didn’t try to hold her hair down as the wind churned around them. She tucked her still-cold hands into her cardigan pockets and steeled herself for Diana Barclay , Viscountess Bridemere .

Sabryn had been insanely curious about Kurt when they first began dating and did an internet search of his family. There was a plethora of information to choose from, and Diana was front and center for all of it.

Reginald Barclay , Viscount Bridemere , was a tall, handsome man with thick, silver hair, an engaging smile, and the same pale blue eyes as Kurt .

In fact, Kurt was nearly the spitting image of his father with the same chiseled jaw and wide shoulders.

Even Parker took after Reginald , but he was a pale comparison to Kurt .

The helicopter engine shut off, and the incessant drone instantly quieted.

The chopper door opened, and legs clad in off-white trousers swung into view.

A moment later, Diana appeared in pointed-toe, cream heels, a blue oxford with the sleeves rolled to her elbows, and a brown belt around her trim waist.

Her blond hair was pulled back from her face in a loose bun, showing off her thick, gold hoop earrings. The button-down revealed a single dainty gold chain. A gold watch encircled her left wrist, a single gold bangle her right, and only her wedding ring adorned her fingers.

Diana wasn’t just attractive. She was model-gorgeous, despite nearing sixty. Or maybe because of it. She was regal and assertive. A woman who knew what she wanted and grabbed it without apology. A woman who never asked permission. She was, in fact, someone Sabryn understood and respected.

At least when it came to Diana taking her place in a man’s world. The rest? Not at all.

Minimal makeup graced Diana’s face, showcasing her natural beauty.

There was an air about her that demanded attentiveness and attention.

And she got it. She never had to lift a finger for anything.

Someone was always there to assist her, just like the pilot, who exited the chopper and helped her down.

Diana turned her head his way and murmured something. The man stared after her like a lovesick fool. Unlike so many others, he recognized that she would eat him alive, but it didn’t stop him from desiring her. If Sabryn had met Diana before Kurt , she would’ve wanted to get to know her.

But Sabryn knew exactly who Diana was now, which made it hard to find kernels of anything but loathing and disgust.

Kurt squeezed her hand before starting toward Diana , Sabryn a half-step behind him.

There were no smiles in greeting from any of them, though Sabryn noticed Diana’s gaze sweeping over Kurt .

At first, she thought Diana was judging him on his jeans and tee shirt.

Sabryn soon realized she might have been hasty in her judgment when she noticed the delight in Diana’s gaze.

It was that of a mother excited to see her child.

Their trio came to a halt, each staring at the other.

Diana’s eyes were bright, and there was a hint of a smile on her lips as she stared at her son.

Sabryn watched as the woman clasped her hands, almost as if stopping herself from reaching out to Kurt .

There was an air of hopeful anticipation from the viscountess.

Diana was the first to speak. “ I’m pleased to see you.”

“ The information, if you please,” Kurt replied.

Sabryn glanced over and noticed his tight jaw. This had to be incredibly difficult for him. A brother who had tried to end his life was running about, and Kurt didn’t know if his mother had anything to do with it. There was no way he could let his guard down, nor did she want him to.

“ Down to business, then?” Diana asked, regret clear as her optimism died.

Kurt dipped his chin. “ I think it’s for the best. You’re not supposed to be here, after all.”

“ Let me worry about that.”

“ Because you know nothing will happen to you?” he retorted.

Diana tilted her head to the side and smiled softly. “ You’ve turned into a fine man.”

“ No thanks to you.”

Sabryn inwardly winced at the anger in his voice.

Years of resentment and ire were boiling to the surface.

She slid her hand into his. His fingers immediately twined with hers, holding her almost too tightly.

She felt the tension running through him and wished he didn’t have to confront his past for her to discover hers.

Diana briefly looked at their hands before turning her attention to Sabryn . “ The haircut suits you.”

“ The information, Diana ,” Kurt interjected pointedly.

She quirked a brow at him, her look icy. “ Right here? Out in the open like this?”

“ Why not?” he asked.

She turned around and held out her hand. The pilot hurried to her and handed over her purse before bowing his head and stepping back. Diana looped her arm through the handle and faced them. “ If you want the information, you’ll get it while having a meal with me.”

“ A me—?” Kurt started, incredulous. His face hardened, and his nostrils flared in fury. “ Have you lost your bloody mind?”

Sabryn tightened her fingers on his as she told Diana , “ Time is of the essence.”

“ Then we shouldn’t tarry,” the viscountess replied.

A muscle worked in Kurt’s jaw. He swung his gaze to Sabryn , who nodded to let him know she was fine with it. “ Where’s your car?” he asked Diana as he looked around.

“ We can wait for me to find one. Or …” she said, drawing out the word. “ I can ride with the two of you.”

Sabryn hurriedly said, “ Fine ,” before Kurt could argue.

She turned to walk to Carlyle’s SUV they borrowed before glancing toward the building and spotting Bronwyn through the glass doors. They exchanged a look before Sabryn climbed into the driver’s seat. Her friends would see them and be sure to follow.

Kurt and Diana climbed inside, with Diana getting into the back behind Sabryn .

She started the engine and drove away. Kurt sat stiffly beside her, his gaze straight ahead, and his hands curled into fists.

Sabryn glanced at Diana to find her staring out the passenger window.

The atmosphere was strained and remained that way as she pulled out onto the road.

Sabryn glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted Bronwyn’s older Range Rover behind them just as she had expected.

The ride was silent, broken only by road noise.

Sabryn was happy when she finally turned into the restaurant’s gravel car park.

The beautiful old stone building was in the heart of the village with a sign that read Gasta .

Rhona had introduced her to the eatery, and Sabryn had fallen in love with the old converted mill.

They served the best hand-stretched pizzas.

Too bad the thought of food made her stomach roil now.

She parked, and the three of them wordlessly made their way inside the building. The history of the place was everywhere Sabryn looked. That’s how it was everywhere she went in the UK —so much history at her fingertips to learn and explore. It was both awe-inspiring and alarming.

No one spoke until they were seated at a booth next to a window.

Kurt slid in beside Sabryn . Diana was the only one to look at the menu.

The smells coming from the kitchen were mouthwatering.

Sabryn looked over at Kurt to see him glaring at his mother.

She nudged him with her elbow and jerked her chin to the menu when he cut his eyes to her.

His lips compressed into a thin line, but he picked up the menu.

Sabryn turned her head away, only to have her gaze collide with Diana’s . The viscountess lowered the menu and clasped her hands atop the table. “ I warned them to leave you be.”

“ Warned who?” Sabryn asked.

“ Thomas and the elders.” Diana twisted her lips. “ They rarely listen to me.”

Sabryn studied the older woman. Beside her, Kurt sat motionless, his body vibrating with tension. “ Why would you warn them?”

“ You called her an asset,” Kurt stated.

Diana nodded as her gaze shifted to him. “ I did, indeed, tell you that. I wanted to make sure the mission was a success. Several candidates were being considered for the undertaking, including Carlyle . It was Thomas who chose you and Parker to go to DC .”

“ That isn’t what you told me,” Kurt insisted.

They fell silent as a waiter arrived. Only when he departed did Diana continue. “ I had orders.”

“ We were your bloody family,” Kurt bit out, barely keeping his voice from rising.

Sabryn didn’t take her eyes off Diana . The woman had come prepared, and Sabryn wanted to hear all of it. “ You obviously wish to tell this part, so tell it.”

“ The London Druids ’ goal, from the time our ancestors left Skye , has been to attract the strongest Druids into the organization,” Diana said. “ It would grow the numbers and strengthen us as a group.”

“ To eventually wipe out Skye ,” Sabryn said.

Diana dipped her head in acknowledgment. “ Yes . That , as well. Over the years, our directive fell by the wayside as the elders fought for control, and others in the organization clashed to be named as elders.”

“ Until Thomas ,” Sabryn guessed.

Diana pulled a face. “ Until Thomas . I’ve known him my entire life. We briefly dated long before I met Reggie . Both Thomas and I had big dreams.”

“ And a thirst for power,” Kurt added snidely.

Two beats of silence passed as Diana looked at him.

Then she said, “ Thomas already had a title, which made him not only an eligible catch within the party, but also someone to be groomed to one day be an elder. The same couldn’t be said for me.

I wasn’t from nobility, nor was my family esteemed or wealthy.

It was my expertise with spells that caught others’ attention.

I was never one to sit back and watch. I wasn’t content being in the front either.

I wanted to be one of those sitting in a seat of authority.

I’ve never denied it. It’s something everyone knows. Even your father.”

Kurt snorted. “ I highly doubt that.”

“ Ask him yourself, then,” Diana countered quickly. She drew in a breath and slowly released it, once more calm. “ I’ve never apologized for knowing what I wanted or for going after it. It has served me well for the most part.”

Sabryn crossed one leg over the other. “ I gather you mean Thomas .”

“ I do. His influence over the elders began when he was just a boy. I made it clear what my goal was. He was much sneakier because he didn’t want to be one of the elders. He intended to rule the entire organization. He’s cunning in a way you never see coming.”

Sabryn traded a look with Kurt . “ We’re aware of the lengths Thomas will go to.”

“ Of course. Carlyle .” Diana unrolled her napkin and spread it across her lap before looking at them again. “ Only a few have knowledge of Thomas’s true role in the society, but I don’t think it’ll be that way for long.”

Kurt rolled his eyes. “ How does any of this relate to Sabryn and DC ?”

“ We did get off topic,” Diana admitted. “ Eight years ago, Thomas came to me with a file of names. He had highlighted the families he was interested in wooing to join London . They were from all over the world, and every family had a special gift. The Beaumonts were at the top of that list.”

Sabryn’s stomach clenched at the mention of her family.

Diana glanced out the window and shook her head.

“ But a United States senator? That was reaching. Still , Thomas wouldn’t take no for an answer.

For two years, every instance of London attempting to gain Senator Beaumont’s attention was thwarted.

Gifts , women, even invitations to London , hinting about our organization.

They were all flatly refused. It infuriated Thomas .

He had set his mind to something and wouldn’t be denied. ”

She paused and looked at Kurt . “ We were at a monthly gathering. You and Parker were standing with friends, laughing about something. I was waiting for your father after a private meeting with Thomas and others about who would go to DC . I’d done my best to keep you and Parker off that list, and it had worked.

What I didn’t know was that Thomas had sent Carlyle away, which removed him from consideration.

That night, standing outside that meeting, Thomas announced that you and Parker had been chosen to bring the Beaumonts into the fold.

I might have realized Thomas’s move if I hadn’t spent the better part of the time warning them to leave the Beaumonts alone. ”

“ Why were you warning them about my family?” Sabryn asked.

“ Because of the magic running in your veins. Your father should’ve told you when you were a little girl. I can only think that he didn’t know.”

“ Should’ve told me what?”

Diana said, “ That you come from a distinguished line of Druids who didn’t just hear the wind, they talked to it. And they controlled it.”