Page 50 of Until the End of Ever (To the Cruel Gods #2)

LUCIAN

I n all likelihood, the interruption was caused by either Damian or Ronan, as I'd sent both out for news while frantically calling Gideon, Silver, and everyone I knew on the vale, but all my protective instincts were at an all-time high, my brain short-circuiting every time I let myself think about what could have happened.

What would have happened, if not for a scrawny teenager passing by.

I owed Adrian more than I could ever repay. That wouldn't stop me from trying.

"How about checking how our guest is faring while I answer the door?" I offered, reluctant to let Kleos anywhere close to an exit for the next forever and a half.

She saw right through me. "I don't need to be smothered, you know. I'm not going anywhere."

"Allow me to disagree. After today, a little smothering ought to be permissible."

Smiling, she pressed her mouth to my cheek for a fleeting instant. "Fine. But only because I owe the kid so much chocolate."

I watched her walk away, partially because the rear view was spectacular in her tight jeans, but mostly to make sure she was by the stairs before I opened the doors.

Instead of my brother or friend, I was greeted by two faces I hadn't seen in weeks, ahead of six runners in dark red uniforms.

"Lucian Regis," the guy I'd saved from a vampire bite my last week at the Guard said, "you're under arrest for the murder of Zenya Pendros."

I couldn't help a chuckle. "Rupert.Lawrence.Surely you should wait for me to actually murder her before throwing accusations?"

There was no doubt in my mind I would kill the bitch. I might just reanimate her afterwards for the pleasure of doing it twice . I simply didn't have the leisure to do so yet.

"What's this?"

I tensed, feeling Kleos crossing the hall towards us.

Oh, hell no.

"I believe we ought to settle this at the Guard, gentlemen," I announced. Turning back to Kleos, I shook my head. "You're staying right here, understood?" I demanded.

Whatever this farce was, I'd wager it was designed to lure her out.

"But—"

"It's not my first murder accusation," I reminded her. "The difference this time is that I haven't done it. This will be cleared up in no time. Take care of the boy, yes?"

She bit her lip, but dipped her head.

Before she could change her mind, I stepped out of the manor, grabbing my phone.

"After you, gentlemen," I said lightly, all the while typing a text.

I sent the same one to Gideon, Silver, Ronan, Lucky, and after consideration, my mother.

Me: Kleos is at the manor. I'm called to the Guard under ludicrous charges. Do not let her come to me.

My brother was the only one to receive a different message.

Me: Looks like I'm in need of a competent politician. You know any?

T o my surprise, Rupert,Lawrence,and their goons didn't lead me towards the Guard once we'd reached the vale, but directly towards the chambers adjacent to the forum where the magistrates met.

I wasn't to be questioned, then. Just immediately judged.

That worked for me. The sooner it was over, the sooner I could return to Kleos. And potentially, to chocolate cake.

They left me alone,Lawrence and Rupert guarding the open door.

I wondered if they expected me to walk out.

I could, and neither of these protectors would have the power to stop me.

I knew the rules of this game. The council had the right to call me to account for my actions.

Not letting them do so was an actual offense they could and would punish me for.

“I should have brought a book,” I muttered.

I had my notebook in my breast pocket, so instead I returned to my journaling, recording the turmoil of Charybdis.

As I wrote, I paused to wonder whether the bitch faked her demise in order to attempt to get Kleos out of the manor. If she was truly dead, I needed to send flowers to whoever had rid us of her.

I was still musing when a familiar, hurried footstep caught my attention. The next moment, dressed in full regalia of blue and gold, his long hair tied at the nape of his neck, my brother stormed inside.

“You fucking idiot,” he snarled.

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t kill the bitch. Not yet. I was going to ask for the permission of the elders, first.”

I knew better than to attack a member of the council without backing.

Damian narrowed his eyes. Little as we might like each other, my brother knew me well enough to realize I didn’t lie. “Talk.”

So, I ran through the current affairs in broad lines, from Kleos’s rune to the murder, fast-forwarding through most of the details to finally conclude, “Then I sent you to the Guard to check on her, and Ronan, to her home. She came back to me shortly after.”

My brother started to pace the room, silently. “So, there was no one with you to corroborate your whereabouts after you sent us out.”

I sighed. “Cassius must have been in his hall.”

“Do you truly believe anyone would take Cassius’s word?”

Fair point.

"I don't think you understand,” Damian hissed between clenched teeth. “Each side of the council can vote, and if they disagree, the matter is brought to the magistrates. But they won't disagree. They’re going to judge you guilty.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he held his hand up to silence me.

“As you're the accused, and your crime is one that a Regis can be found guilty of, your family has to recuse themselves.

That's me and Grandma, unable to vote. Even if the rest of the founders vote for your innocence—which they will—you won't have a fullquorum, which means that the elders’ vote won't count.

The ruling council could condemn you, and sentence you without trials. "

I let his words sink in. Fuck .

"They'll vote to kill me."

The first, last, and only thing that came to mind as that fact hit was Kleos. The soulmate I’d just bound to my fate.

Because of my foolishness, my selfishness, she could die along with me.