Page 175 of Degradation

“Your father was my uncle,” the Grand Master replies, “Our bloodline is the original founding bloodline of this order. It’s why your mother tried to use you, why your uncle did too.”

Paitlyn shakes her head, frowning even more. “I, I don’t believe it,” she whispers.

“You should do. And you should be grateful for it, it’s what will save you now, save your husband too.” He replies, looking across at me.

“I don’t need your favour.” I snarl back. I won’t be tied to him now. I’ll be damned if I owe him anything.

He laughs loud enough that it echoes around us, though it quickly gets lost in the noise of the congregation below.

“So prideful, just like all the Blakes. It was a reason I chose your brother as Chapter Lord, why I supported his interests.”

“So what do you want?” I reply.

He pauses, looking back at Paitlyn. “You asked for things, things only I can give. I’m willing to provide, but I want something in exchange.”

“And what is that?” I don’t know if it’s me or her who asks it.

The Grand Master clicks his neck, like he’s got a crick in it, and then he fixes his gaze back on me.

“Your time here is over, Devin. Your time in England is done. You married a ghost, a woman who was declared dead and buried. That cannot be undone, cannot be rectified…”

“Meaning what, exactly?” I snarl, losing my temper. Did he not just say that her bloodline is what spares me? Did he not justall but promise her a pardon? What the fuck is he going on about now?

He smiles. “Impatient too, I see.” He mutters before glancing once more at the people far below us. “I will give you what you ask, but not in the manner you ask for it. Both of you will relocate, you will leave this miserable country, and you will move to America.”

“What?” Paitlyn gasps.

The Grand Master takes a step forward, reaching for her hand and though every cell in my body screams at me to stop it, she must sense it, must sense the movement or something because she’s reaching out, letting his fingers glide over hers.

“You will be safe there. You will have a new identity, a new life.”

“And Devin?” She says quietly. “What will he do? He’s a Reaper…”

“He will work for me.” The Grand Master states. “A man such as him, a man with those talents…”

“Will you not ask me, instead of simply telling my wife?” I snarl.

He smirks. “Seeing as it’s your wife who gets to make the decision, she is the only one to ask.”

“What decision?” She breathes.

He draws himself up, glancing at me for what feels like the umpteenth time. “You may be married to him, but it does not have to be forever. It can be undone. You do not have to stay with him if you would rather be free.”

I don’t think, I don’t even register I’m doing it, but I take a step forward and the bastard pulls his gun, a Desert Eagle no less, pointing it right at my face.

“Say the word, Paitlyn, say what you want, and you shall have it.”

Her lip trembles, she looks like she’s suddenly torn and though hours ago I was convinced this woman was all mine, now we’re standing on this precipice, I’m not so sure.

“He is a monster.” Paitlyn says so fiercely. “But he is mine. My monster.”

Relief, joy, I don’t know what I feel as those words pass her pretty lips. I know she chose me before, I know she’s chosen me a few times now, but all of those have been more out of necessity, more because she had no other good options.

Today, she proved this marriage is more than that. That she is as committed as I am.

The Grand Master almost looks relieved at her words. He inclines his head. “As you wish. Antonio will see to the details.”

He releases her hand, and she steps back, instinctively finding where I’m stood. Her hand curls around the muscle of my arm, and she clings to me in a way that doesn’t feel desperate, it feels dominant.