Page 11 of The Eternal Choice (The Eternal Mafia #3)

– LILLIANA –

My body still hums with a power surge from helping Nario. Over the years I never used the ability to heal. Not only due to the outer visual of me using this ability, but more of the reminder of the butterfly incident. Especially when it comes to the words the boy screamed at me.

He was right. The balance of life and death is not up to me. Seeing Nario buried under all the rubble of a caved in tunnel? There was an urge to save him, and it’s strange with the things we previously discussed; coming to the conclusion he must have been Sienna’s mate which caused the death of his father, and the war.

“Where’s Leandro?” Nario grunts and glances around.

Ernestino’s about to answer, but there’s a question I need Nario to answer first.

It’s why I grab Nario’s shirt to make him face me. “Were you Sienna’s mate?”

Nario rears his head back. “Me? No.” He glances around. “You think I was Sienna’s mate and wanted her to kill father? What the fuck, Ernestino?”

I taste no lie in his words; he wasn’t Sienna’s mate.

“So, if you weren’t her mate, then you only carry hatred for your brother for succeeding in the challenge and taking the job you thought belonged to you,” I state. “Still a dick move not to get over your big ego and support your brother in my opinion.”

“Which means we still don’t know who is feeding the inside information to Tony,” Ernestino states with a load of frustration.

“We do.” Nario jerks free from the grip I still had on his shirt. “I was down here when I followed Leandro. He acted strange after I asked him about a phone call he received that I caught the end of. When I caught up with him in this tunnel he was placing an explosive. We fought, he detonated the explosive and I was caught underneath the rocks when the tunnel caved in.”

Again, no lies.

“Leandro? He’s the one responsible for giving inside information? He was Sienna’s mate? Fuck. Nothing makes sense anymore, and how the fuck can two brothers betray a clan leader?” Pain is edged in Ernestino’s voice.

“I didn’t betray you,” Nario snarls.

Shit. I taste a lie. Why? Ugh, maybe deep down he feels like he did? There’s no exact logic to my ability to taste lies. It also involves the feelings and emotions of the people themselves and how much guilt they feel, or their state of mind for that matter.

Giving his shoulder a shove I state, “Not fully acknowledging or supporting your clan leader is a form of betrayal. Though, it doesn’t compare to what Leandro did. I have no clue about his motivations, but he could have spoken up about being Sienna’s fated mate any time before your father accepted her for the arranged marriage.”

Nario and Ernestino share a look.

“What?” I ask.

Ernestino rubs the back of his neck. “The arranged marriage was discussed and agreed upon behind closed doors. Only the clan leaders were present along with their second in command, which was Nario at the time since our father was training him to follow in his footsteps. No one saw her, or was supposed to see them until the mating was in place. The marriage was a formality and would have taken place a few weeks later.”

“Like our union announcement to the clan,” I muse.

“Yes,” Nario grunts. “Things need to be planned and there’s a trial period for mates.”

“A trial period?” I gape at both brothers.

Both wince and I hold my hand up. “Okay, you do realize dragons are the most complicated and insane supernatural creatures I’ve ever encountered, right? Because you guys don’t just have issues, you have a toilet roll filled with instructions that don’t make any fucking sense.”

Nario grins. “Welcome to our world, sis.”

I flip him the bird and it makes him elbow Ernestino in the ribs. “She’s starting to grow on me, like a toadstool.”

“A toadstool,” I grit, ready to punch the idiot’s face.

“Focus, people,” my father snaps. “Lucian still can’t get a hold of Creed. If it’s Leandro who was Sienna’s mate and is working with Marshgloom, then it’s safe to say we should go over there and check.”

“Agreed,” Ernestino rumbles and we all jump into a run.

Nario is right next to me. A question flows through my mind due to the information he gave when he caught Leandro placing the explosive in the mine.

“What part of Leandro’s phone call made it suspicious?” I ask Nario.

Nario throws a glance in my direction. “Attack the gate and get inside as planned.”

“Get inside. No one got inside, right?” I muse.

Nario glances forward. “Don’t know, I was dealing with other shit.”

“What can they do if they get inside?” I wonder.

“Depends.” Nario’s steps falter.

I come to a stop next to him. “On what?”

“What’s the holdup?” Ernestino asks.

Without glancing at Ernestino I reply, “Give us a minute, we’re trying to find out.”

“What their target is.” Nario shrugs. “Sneak up on the clan leader to take him out, or force him to sign documents. Raid the safe in his office. Take hostages. Endless possibilities if we don’t know what their goal is.”

“Take Lilliana hostage and force me to sign the papers to agree on an arranged marriage,” Ernestino grits.

“Do we have any idea where to go for any scenario? I mean, going to check on Creed might means running into a trap,” I grumble.

“Either option could be a trap,” my father states. “Doing nothing and keep standing here isn’t safe either.”

“Look, it’s Lucian and Creed,” my mother says, and points in the direction the two centaur shifter are.

“How the hell did Lucian get him?” Ernestino grumbles when they get closer.

Lucian gives my mate a chin lift. “I sneaked away when you guys were discussing shit. I’ve been standing around to let you folks discuss from the moment we ended the attack. Got tired of it and went out to find my VP. He was locked in one of the cells, no trace of anyone else.”

“He let the prisoner go,” I muse and narrow my eyes at Creed. “You let a dragon shifter get the better of you?”

Creed flips me off. “Not my fault I was acting in good faith. I mean, who knew your in-laws are fucked in the head?”

Now it’s my turn to flip him off. “Every family has weirdos, issues, and a crazy one ruining shit for everyone, and you know it. So, shut it and just help.”

He holds his arms away from his body. “Right here, darlin’, always happy to help.”

I want to roll my eyes and simultaneously smack Creed on the back of his head for calling me darlin’.

Stepping in front of Ernestino, who is giving Creed a deadly look, I say, “We need a plan. Now.”

“The most logical thing would be for you to join your family and stay with them until Ernestino and I have dealt with this issue internally.” I’m about to object when Nario holds his hand up to stop me. “I know you want to stay by your mate’s side, but you’re also a target. In the heat of battle it might distract my clan leader, causing a wrong decision.”

My mouth slams shut due to the hint of truth in his words. He’s right and yet I don’t completely trust him to leave Ernestino without backup.

“We all know he’s right, but it’s a huge risk to leave you without backup, Ernestino,” my father states and I’m glad he’s pointing out the obvious.

“We could stay with him,” Lucian offers.

“Ivano,” Ernestino grits.

“Shit. Didn’t he leave to check the perimeter? What’s taking him so long? Did either of you see him?” I ask Lucian and Creed.

“No, we didn’t see anyone,” Lucian states.

Creed gives a shake with his head. “Nah, the only ones I saw were the prisoner and Leandro. I was blindsided by that fucker when he told me to go right, walking right into the cell, allowing him to lock me in. Strong doors, by the way.”

Nario nods. “Special material, it’ll hold any supernatural.”

“He’s fine by the looks of it,” Ernestino rumbles.

“Yeah, thanks for thinking of me,” Ivano dryly replies. “I was making my round when I caught sight of Leandro talking to Tony and his daughter.”

“What the hell?” I mutter. “They’re here?”

Nario turns to face Ernestino. “Must have been what the phone call was about.”

Ernestino dips his chin and asks Ivano, “Do you know where they are now?”

“Your office.” Ivano places his hands on his hips. “What’s the plan, boss?”

Ernestino releases a string of curses and starts to pace. “If he put them in my office he most likely wants to force a meeting, disguising it as a discussion for peace.”

“Yeah, because killing you is something he can try to do himself, or with the help of Tony’s soldiers.” I glare at Nario for pointing out how easy it is to kill my mate.

Nario doesn’t even spare me a glance when he continues. “You and I should head to your office. Lucian and Creed can’t come, otherwise they would give away the fact that we’re on to them seeing as Leandro put him in a cell. You should also prepare yourself to do what’s needed.”

Ernestino grits his teeth. “Prepare myself? You mean be ready to kill my own fucking brother?”

Nario shrugs. “He tried to kill me, I have no issues with taking him out. Especially when it comes to protecting the clan. That fucker thought he could wipe both of us from this world to rule himself. He doesn’t deserve to live after trying to take everything I worked hard for.” He huffs out a frustrating breath. “You too, even if we didn’t agree when you chose your mate over the deal. I get it now, and if you would have told us about her pregnancy right away…some of us might have acted differently.”

“Time is ticking away.” I rub the small knife hidden in the inside of my sleeve. “We can’t keep standing here discussing things. We might be all wrong about this, ever think of that? Maybe Tony has leverage on Leandro and he didn’t have any choice in the matter, forcing him to do Tony’s bidding. Hell, he could be holding your brother hostage right now while waiting for you to come back into your office.”

Okay, I’m grasping things out of thin air, but at least I got everyone’s attention.

“Fact is, we don’t know what the truth is. However, we do need to step up and get Tony and his daughter either out of your office the hard way, or see what the fuck they want and maybe negotiate a truce, because this bloodshed needs to stop for both clans before there’s no one left on either side.”

Ernestino holds out his hand and I lace my fingers with his.

“This is a bad idea,” Nario grumbles.

Ernestino pulls me along in the direction of his office when he tells my father, “You guys should go through the back. I’m sure you’ll know what to do when shit becomes loud.”

My father nods while Nario repeats, “This is a bad idea. I still think you should let your mate go with her parents so we can make this right together, brother.”

“Noted,” I reply. “Not going to happen, though. We’re a team as much as a dragon is fused with his human side. The three of us are now one and we will face this as such. I don’t care if you think it’s stupid, not reliable, or something you would do, but you’re not clan leader so it’s not your decision to make.”

Nario falls silent and the deadly glare directed at Ernestino is back. This decision is the best one and is soothing some of the restlessness inside my veins. With the havoc happening between brothers, unsure who is guilty of clan betrayal…of betraying his brother…I’m confident in handling it together.

I’m trusting my fated mate and the foundation we have because of it. Being together for a short period of time might not compare to family who stood beside one another for decades, but right now that bond is shattered. Trust is lost while Ernestino and I have nothing to lose, no history, our future wide open, giving us faith in one another enough to stand strong together as one.

“See you on the flipside.” Creed grins and follows my parents and his president in another direction.

“I’ll be right behind you. Leandro won’t expect me to be anywhere except buried under rubble in the mine,” Nario grimly states.

Ernestino nods and we head for the building where his office is located. A man jogs our way and comes to a stop before Ernestino.

“Leandro told me you were going to be late for the meeting. They are waiting for you in your office,” he rambles.

“Who is waiting in his office?” I ask.

The man ignores me until Ernestino snaps, “Answer my mate’s question.”

He’s still not looking at me, but at least he gives the details I requested. “Leandro along with Marshgloom’s leader, his daughter, and two of their guards. He brought them here earlier and told me you were aware and would join them later.”

“Stay here,” Ernestino orders and glances at Nario one more time.

Ernestino pulls me with him as we enter the building. The door to his office is open and there are muted voices coming from inside. Once we step inside the room the only ones we find are Tony Mattia and his daughter Naryssa.

“Mind telling me why you’re here?” Ernestino snarls. “Especially after attacking my clan, setting off explosions in the mine. You’re insane if you think I will agree to any terms you might have to form a truce.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Tony smugly states.

Naryssa only has eyes for my mate and it’s getting a little obsessive the way she’s staring.

“Hey,” I snap at her and touch my chin with my thumb when I say, “You have a little drool…right here.”

Pure hatred is in her eyes when she gives me her attention. “I don’t speak to dark creatures below my standards, Nosferatu.”

There’s that word again. Agitated by the reminder of Ernestino using it on me not too long ago, I flip her off and remind her of the fact that, “Thanks for the exception. You know, looking me in the eye and giving me your full attention to let me know I fall outside of your short minded standards.”

“How dare you insult me, you dirty bloodsucker,” she snarls.

The harsh sound of Tony’s voice cracks through the air. “Silence.”

“Ernestino, I used the distraction tonight to force an improvised meeting. Both our clans are hurting due to the same issues. An arranged marriage, and a foster program will allow opportunity to strike.” Tony’s nose wrinkles when he glances in my direction. “Evolution might force you to seek a diluted blood choice, but we need to stay pure and have patience and belief that our breed will one day expand once again like it did in the past.”

“Evolution had nothing to do with me finding my fated mate. Like I said, I won’t agree to any of your terms. You are the one who needs to form an alliance with my clan due to your financial state. The Birchmagma clan is expanding since two of our clan females are pregnant.”

“You’re lying,” Naryssa snaps, and there’s a waft of steam coming from her mouth.

Ernestino dismisses her and asks Tony, “Where’s Leandro?”

Something I’m wondering too since the one standing outside mentioned he was in here, along with two guards who are also missing.

Tony is wearing a smug smile. “Your brother is our insurance. My guards are holding him captive at the edge of the ravine. One word from us and his body will be at the bottom of the abyss. Without his head, of course. Negotiate and we will let him go, you have my word.”

Shit. He’s lying. I can taste it in his words…everything he just said was a lie. I give Ernestino’s hand a squeeze, hoping he gets the message.

“Your word means shit. We’re going to meet with your guards, so I can look my brother in the eye before we continue this discussion,” Ernestino grits.

A delay of the inevitable. Ernestino can’t give in to any deals coming from Tony. History shows he only wants to swallow up the other clan so he can rule both. He needs the money, the mine, the other dragon shifters to grow in numbers.

I know my parents, along with Lucian and Creed, are still out there. Yet, it’s not a comforting thought to realize we’re all about to walk right into a trap.

“Fine. Follow me.” Tony stomps past us.

His daughter swings her hips back and forth on high heels, making me nauseous just watching them rock. I would like nothing more than to shove my hand into my invisible bag, take out a pretty knife, and jam it in her eye. The thought makes a smile slide across my face and she narrows her eyes at me.

We walk behind them as they stalk to the side of the mine. Naryssa is walking on her toes to keep her high heels from sinking into the ground. Stupid. I would never wear heels; unsteady when a fight breaks out.

The sound of a twig snapping rips me out of my thoughts. Shit. I should focus instead of giving my attention to the female dragon shifter who is trying to get my mate’s attention. There’s too much at stake.

Three figures come into sight. One is on his knees, another is behind that person, and beside them is another one. I inhale and focus on how many souls are surrounding me. The three in front, along with Tony and Naryssa. Ernestino is next to me, and I can sense five more surrounding us.

One has a hint of Ernestino’s scent, it must be Nario, and the others are my parents along with Creed and Lucian. Coming to a stop, we now see the three people clearly in the moonlight. They must be Tony’s two guards because they have Leandro on his knees, leaning forward with his neck placed on two crossed swords.

“Ready to negotiate?” Tony asks with a smug voice.

Ernestino’s voice is calm and clear. “I don’t respond well to empty threats.”

“My threats aren’t empty.” Tony waves his hand and one guard grabs a fistful of Leandro’s hair.

There’s fear in Leandro’s eyes and for a fragment of a second I think he might be innocent. Time slows down and there isn’t anything anyone can do to stop what happens next. Leandro’s fear turns to regret, then shame, and finally absolution.

“Noooooo,” I scream, knowing I can’t stop it from happening.

No ability of speed can prevent Leandro from stopping himself as he throws his neck onto the crossed swords. His head drops on the ground while his body falls to the side. Air burns inside my lungs as I take another breath. Ernestino takes a stumbling step back.

“Kill him,” Tony snarls as he stares at Ernestino.

The suicide of Leandro cross wired my attention and I’m too distracted for realizing Nario snuck up on us and it’s Tony who is snarling at him to kill his own brother.

The sword in Nario’s hand slices through Ernestino’s neck as he pulls him toward the edge. I can see the light dimming in my mate’s eyes as his own damn brother throws him over the edge…into the abyss.