Page 11

11

A rctic

We walk down the hallway. The vinyl squeaks under my shoes with each step that I take.

I feel like this like a hole in the head, but it has to be done. I refuse to shy away from my responsibilities or from my decisions. That would be cowardly. I can be called a lot of things, but a coward isn’t one of them.

Why is he being so damned stubborn?

A blood-curdling scream sounds from down the hall. It’s muffled and yet has every hair going up on my body; my step falters.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Steel asks. His eyes are dark with concern. “No one would blame you if—”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I say in a curt tone.

“Just to prepare you—”

My phone starts to ring.

“It’s Sally,” I tell him. “Must be important.” I answer the call.

“Good afternoon, my Lord. I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to let you know that I just got off the phone with Paisley Reed.”

“And?” My heart quickens. I need her to take this position. There is more chance of this program actually working out if she is on board with this. I know it. She’s going to be the key.

“I’m not sure, since she asked to speak with you. She wouldn’t give me an answer either way.”

Why am I not surprised? I hold back a smile.

“Send me her number.”

“Right away, Sire.” Sally puts the phone down and several seconds later, I get a message from her with Paisley’s contact details.

“One second,” I tell Steel, who nods.

I call Paisley.

There is another scream from down the passage. I ignore it, concentrating on the call instead.

Just when I think she’s not going to answer, she picks up, sounding out of breath.

“Hello.”

“Paisley,” I say, smiling.

“Oh…um…hi!” She sounds flustered. “It’s you. I didn’t expect a call back this soon. I tried to reach you…but you weren’t available.”

“Yes, Sally mentioned. She said you wanted to talk to me directly, hence the call.”

I squeeze the back of my neck, feeling…nervous. Why am I nervous? I really want this pilot program to be a success. We need it to work. I meant what I said earlier; we need Paisley on board for that to happen. There is so much on the line. I suppose some nerves are to be expected.

I don’t like feeling this way. It’s not a feeling I am used to.

“Yes, I called,” she says. “And…ummmm…” It almost sounds like she still hasn’t made up her mind. Is she toying with me? In the very next breath, I decide that she isn’t. She’s not the type. At least, I don’t think she is.

“And? Are you taking on the role?” I push for an answer.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my actual job, then yes, I accept.”

I grin, noting that Steel is looking at me funny, so I school my emotions.

“Good! Great! I’m so glad to hear that.”

“I have a condition,” she says.

I smile. I can’t help it. “Of course you do. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Paisley.”

Steel’s eyebrows go up, and he cocks his head. He’s definitely giving me a weird look.

I turn around and take a step or two away from him.

“What is the condition?” I ask her.

“It’ll be on a probationary basis. If the role is too demanding or interferes with my job, or if I make a suggestion that is ignored again, I will be able to withdraw at my discretion.”

“How long will this probationary period last?”

“A month?”

“Perfect, but if you withdraw, the extra remuneration will be withdrawn as well.”

“I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing it for the women.”

I smile. I like her. This was the right decision. “I know; that’s why I wanted you on board. I want you to attend all the events. Certainly in the early days, while relationships are being established.”

“Understood, but if I am needed in my medical capacity, that won’t be possible.”

“Hundred percent.”

“It’s important that you know that I’m going to completely change the plans for tomorrow.”

“I thought as much. I know you’ve been speaking with Thorn about it already. Do whatever you deem necessary. I trust you to make the right call. Let Cathy and Marcel know so that they can action whatever it is that you decide to do instead.”

“Will do.” I hear her suck in a breath like she wants to say something, but she hesitates.

“What is it?”

“Cathy isn’t going to be happy about this. There will be pushback.”

“Handle it. I have no doubt that you can do it. If she’s stubborn and refuses to get on board, Marcel can replace her.”

“Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. I’d better go. I have a lot to do.” She sounds excited, which makes me smile all over again.

“Welcome on board, Paisley. I’d like to meet with you regularly in the first week or two. Let’s see how we go.”

“Okay…sure.” She doesn’t sound so sure or so happy about that part of the equation.

“I’m here to help you. I’m here to make sure this program is a success. The continuation of my species is at stake.”

“No pressure,” she pushes out. It sounds like she’s smiling now. “Just out of interest, do we even know if humans can get pregnant and carry shifter children? Perhaps we’re barking up the wrong tree and don’t even know it.”

I like the way she thinks.

“Yes, they can. There is a multitude of humans living and working on Draig Island. There are plenty of offspring from mixed pairings. The children are always shifter. In fact, they take on many of the traits of the father.” It’s why my Council liked the idea of me mating with a human. I will be sure to pass on my royal bloodline and traits. “I have a Draig Dragon working for me here at the castle, so I have inside intel.”

“Interesting. Are you guys and the Draig Dragons not on friendly terms if you had to get intel?”

Clever, too.

“Something like that. We’ll discuss it at our first meeting,” I tell her.

“I look forward to it.” Why does she sound like she’d rather do anything but meet with me? It puts me off balance. I don’t like it.

I need to calm the fuck down.

I suppose I am technically her new boss, and this isn’t really a role she asked for; therefore, her apprehension is to be expected.

We say a quick goodbye. Another muffled scream sounds as I end the call.

“What was that all about?” Steel has his brows raised. “Who was that?”

“Paisley Reed. One of the humans I just hired. She was vocal about the demonstration being a bad idea. Turns out she was right. I like her and —”

“I can tell.” He smiles. “You seem to like her a whole hell of a lot. I haven’t seen you smile like that…in a good long while.”

“Perhaps the word like wasn’t the right one. What I meant was that I rate her highly as an employee. I think that she is exactly what this pilot program needs. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, to stand up to me or Thorn.” I shrug. “She has the Tributes’ best interests at heart. She understands the necessity of this program and wants it to be a success. I’m stoked she’s on board. That’s all.” I’m over-explaining.

“That’s all it is?” Steel cocks his head and scrutinizes me.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, dammit.”

“Do you have a thing for her?”

“Absolutely not!” I say a little too quickly. “I want this whole project to work. I want to find a queen. Someone to carry and raise my children. Now that the humans are here, I’m intrigued by them. Perhaps finding someone won’t be the tedious task I thought it would be.”

My mind goes to Paisley instead of the thirty faces I actually have to choose from.

Steel nods a few times. “That’s good news. I like seeing you like this.”

“Like how?” I narrow my eyes.

“I don’t know… With a lighter step. With a smile on your face for a change. It’s—”

There’s another scream from down the hall.

My whole body tightens.

“Should we get this over with?” Steel says.

I grind my teeth and nod.

We keep walking. Aside from the squeak of our shoes, all is silent. That changes as we get closer. I hear his panting. His groaning. Then another scream.

Fuck!

As we round the next bend, I smell the coppery scent of blood. That, and adrenaline, fear, and pain. So much pain. The stench is almost overwhelming.

“It’s been two days,” Steel says.

“And he hasn’t uttered so much as a word?”

Steel shakes his head. “Nothing. He won’t budge. He wants a stay in his execution in exchange for information.”

“What is the password for your computer?” a female asks. “Who are you working with? Why have you had unauthorized contact with the Mainland?”

There’s just heavy breathing.

I pull in a deep breath and enter the room. It’s bright, with several fluorescent lights running the length of the ceiling. The floors and walls are white. At least, they were once white. Now, blood spatters cover everything. There is a puddle of congealed blood beneath the steel chair my brother is shackled to. He is naked, battered, bleeding, and covered in blood.

The female is holding a bloody knife. Her white leather outfit is covered in it. She smiles and curtsies as we enter.

“Your Grace,” she says in a purr.

Ice is hunched over, his head hanging low. His silver hair is matted against his forehead; when he lifts his head, his ice-blue eyes are dull and resigned. Despite the obvious pain he’s in, he manages a weak grin when he sees me. Several teeth are missing. The remaining ones are red-tinged. The left side of his face is swollen, and a deep purple bruise is evident. All of his fingers are broken. I suspect his right leg is, too. All of his toes have been sliced clean off. They will grow back, but it had to have been agony. I hate that I feel sorry for him. I don’t want to.

It’s safe to say that Ice is in terrible shape.

“Just in time, Your Majesty. I was about to start on his fingers.” She lowers the razor-sharp blade.

“Enough,” I order, my voice cold and commanding. The female steps back, a look of disappointment flashing across her face.

“Your Grace, he knows the consequences of staying silent,” she protests, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. “You need the information, and time is running short.”

I ignore her and move closer to Ice. Steel follows me, his expression grim. I crouch down in front of my brother, meeting his gaze.

“I hate that it’s come to this, but you left me no choice.” I speak softly but with underlying steel in my tone. “It’s your chance to fix it. To finally do the right thing.”

“The right thing would be me taking the throne. You’re weak.” His voice is stronger than I thought it would be, although husky from all of his screaming.

“Let’s not go down that road. It’s an argument that neither of us would ever agree on. So, let’s agree to disagree and move forward.”

Ice’s jaw tightens, but he remains silent.

“You will die next week. That is a given. You can stop asking for a stay in your sentence. It will never happen. You had my mate murdered in cold blood.”

“Anya was simply collateral damage. She wasn’t supposed to take the bullets meant for you. That’s on you, Arctic. All on you.”

“I never sent the gunman!” I yell, getting in his face. “I never ordered the hit.”

“No, but you let her take your place. You were supposed to die,” he says in a cold tone.

“You don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?”

“The damage you’ve caused. The hate you’ve seeded. All for the sake of power.”

“You’re talking about Draig. About them .” He spits the word out. “They are the cause of all of our troubles.”

“That’s bullshit, Ice.”

“You don’t know what I know. You have absolutely no fucking clue.” He laughs.

“Tell me, then. Enlighten me,” I growl.

He stares at me for a few long moments and then shakes his head. “I will take my secrets to the grave. You will probably never know, and that’s on you.”

His laughter echoes through the room, sending chills down my spine. Ice leans back in the chair as much as his restraints allow, his eyes glittering with malice.

“You think you’re so different from me, Arctic. But you’re just as power-hungry, just as ruthless. You hide behind your fancy titles and courtly manners, but deep down, we’re cut from the same cloth.”

I know he’s trying to provoke an outburst, and I feel a surge of anger rise within me anyway, threatening to break free. How dare he compare me to him, to the monster he has become?

“I am nothing like you,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “You betrayed our family, our people. You have blood on your hands that can never be washed away.”

He snorts, smirking. “If you kill your own flesh and blood, you will have blood on your hands, too, brother.”

“You brought it on yourself. You did this, not me. It’s time you took ownership.” My heart sinks because I know it will never happen. I look over at the female. “Thank you for your services.”

She looks at me with confusion. “But, Sire, he hasn’t said so much as a word.”

“And he never will,” I tell her, looking over at Steel. “Ice will never talk. You can torture him until he has no limbs, and he still won’t whisper so much as a word. We are wasting our time.” I look Ice in the eye. “Take him back to his cell. Have a healer see to him. Make sure he is comfortable.”

My brother’s smirk widens.

“I will see you next week. I will be in the front row of your execution, and make no mistake, I will sleep like a babe that night and every night after that. I will do so with a clean conscience.”

His face falls and starts to redden.

I turn and walk away.

“Where are you going? You traitor! You murderer!” he shouts. “You would kill your own brother? Your own flesh?” He keeps going, his voice growing softer with each step I take. Does he not hear the irony of his words?

Steel hurries to catch up.

“We need to crack his computer. It must contain information we can use,” I tell him, and not for the first time.

Steel nods. “I’m sorry, Arctic.”

“So am I,” I say with a heavy heart.