Page 171 of Degradation

My brother turns his head, looking at him like he’s ready to throw it all in.

“Paitlyn will never be back to Oblivion after today.” I state, looking between the pair of them, my brother, and the man who failed her, the man who was put in place to keep her safe, her fucking guardian. “She should never have been here in the first place.”

Antonio once more looks across at Magnus and I wonder then what conversations they’ve had, how their relationship might have altered now that he’s aware of my brother’s part in Paitlyn’s betrayal.

“You want a pardon?” Magnus says suddenly. “You want me to wipe the slate clean, is that it? She was hardly the model wife; she was fucking everyone in that palace.”

“Not through my own choosing.” Paitlyn cries.

Magnus grins, “No? I’m sure I saw you eagerly sucking on a cock or two at his little parties.”

I lose it then. I lose what little control I have left. My body barrels into his. His wife screams, stepping back, and I slam one fist into his smug fucking face.

Antonio, Conrad, and Magnus’s wife pull me off. Behind me, I can hear Paitlyn starting to panic because she has no idea what the fuck is going on.

I shove them off, get back to my feet and pull her into my side. “He won’t say shit like that again,” I tell her.

She shakes her head, whispering that it doesn’t matter, only, it does. No one is going to insult my wife, and especially not within my earshot.

Magnus jerks his arm, sitting on the floor, pinching the bridge of his nose as the crimson blood streams down his crisp white shirt. “Fuck me,” He gasps. “You finally learnt how to hit.”

It’s Conrad who laughs first. I join in with him and even Magnus eventually lets out a snigger.

“I can’t give you a pardon.” Magnus says once we fall to silence. “No Chapter Lord can. And besides, she’s meant to be dead.”

“So, it’s pointless?” Paitlyn whispers.

“Not necessarily.” Antonio replies before anyone else can say anything. “Let me speak to our Grand Master, let me see what we can do. Perhaps it won’t be a pardon you get, but a new identity.”

I raise an eyebrow questioningly. Is one measly Founder really worth that much to the Brethren?

“I still need Titus.” Magnus states. “And none of us can afford for me not to become Chapter Lord.”

“I’m not giving you anything till I get what I want.” I say.

“Leave it with me.” Antonio says far more confidently than I expect.

“The Ritual is in five days.” Magnus snaps.

So soon? No wonder my brother looks stressed, I’m about to ruin all his perfectly laid plans. I fight the urge to rub my hands together with glee and really rub it in.

“Trust me, Magnus, I haven’t let you down yet.” Antonio states.

“And what about us, you expect us just to trust you on this?” I half-snarl.

Antonio gives me such a withering look as he walks up to Paitlyn, as he takes her hand. “I promised you before I would keep you safe, remember?”

“And then you left me for the wolves.” Paitlyn says.

“Let me make it up to you this time. Let me fix this.” He sounds almost pleading. I look between them and once more, that jealousy rages.

“If you let her down this time, I’ll ensure you’ll live to regret it.” I say.

He raises his brown eyes to look at me but whatever he wants to say, he clearly thinks better of it. Smart man, he’s finally learning then.

“Five days.” He says as he walks away. “Bring Titus to the Cathedral in five days’ time, and I’ll do what is necessary on my end.”

Pailtyn