“The cat shredded that bag,” Jack muttered in return.
“He cares for the girl more than you let on.” Jack met Calista’s dark eyes but didn’t speak. As the oldest amongst the group of aristocrats surrounding her, she would speak for them. “How deep is their bond?”
“They are close,” Jack hedged.
Calista lifted a sleek eyebrow, her hands folded before her. In the dim glow of the moon her dark skin gleamed. “There are many that will not accept her, not as a human.”
“Braith is aware of that fact, as is the girl.” Jack ignored the startled looks from her father and Max. Daniel and William remained unspoken and expressionless.
“This information would have been useful before we agreed to join in this endeavor; before we threw our support behind a leader who is volatile, and attached to a human.”
Apprehension trickled through Jack, they couldn’t back out now. “The girl has agreed to leave when this is over,” Gideon inserted forcefully.
The aristocrats pondered this revelation as David and Max absorbed it. “Go where?” David demanded as he broke the heavy hush.
“She realizes that as a human, she will not be accepted as our queen, and she is also aware that most humans do not survive the change,” Gideon continued as if David hadn’t spoke.
“It doesn’t seem as if Braith would agree to let her go,” Calista said.
“As he has just proven, Braith will put the greater good, and our needs above his own. He may not like it, but he has agreed that it’s what must be done. He has chosen to lead us over his desire to rescue the girl, and the girl has also chosen the greater good over him.”
Jack winced at Gideon’s blunt words; he sometimes forgot what a cold bastard Gideon could be. The aristocrats turned to each other and began to talk in hushed whispers as Frank edged closer to Daniel and William. Jack’s hands twitched, it took all he had not to look at Gideon, not to reveal that what Gideon had just said was a blatant lie. He had a feeling Gideon knew that too, he had to after everything that had just happened.
“You knew about this?” David hissed at his sons.
“Yes.” William didn’t back down from the glare his father shot him. “I planned to go with her.”
“And when were you going to let me know about it?”
“We haven’t exactly had much of a chance to talk in private.”
The aristocrats split apart, their gazes focused on Gideon as they studied him keenly. “We have made it this far, we will see this through. But only if we have your word that the girl will leave after this is over,” Calista stated. “Or your word that she will not remain human if she chooses to stay and become queen.”
Jack didn’t look at the humans; he was terrified of what their reactions would be to this statement. Stay quiet, he pleaded, knowing that Max or William would be the first to erupt. “I agree to those terms,” Gideon murmured.
“It is not your agreement we care about,” Barnaby inserted. “It’s Braith’s. These terms will be met Gideon, one way or another.”
“They will be met,” Gideon assured them.
“How can you be so certain?” Calista demanded.
“I’ve spoken privately with the girl and we’ve arrived at a mutual agreement. She has agreed to forfeit her life, if it becomes necessary to separate them.”
Somehow Jack managed to keep his face impassive after Gideon’s revelation. David wasn’t so quick as his mouth dropped, but it was the stunning lack of surprise surrounding William and Daniel that rattled Jack the most. Jack seized hold of Max’s arm and squeezed forcefully as Max stepped forward. He would shatter the boys arm if it would silence whatever words Max was about to spew. Max’s mouth pursed but he wisely kept quiet.
The aristocrats exchanged another look before nodding. “Make sure this happens as you say Gideon, or we will hold you accountable,” Calista vowed, her eyes momentarily deepening to blood red in color.
Gideon’s face was serene as he nodded his agreement. “That is acceptable.”
“No child of theirs will be acknowledged as an heir if it is born while she is still human.”
“There will not be a child, I can guarantee that much. At least it will not be Braith’s child.”
Jack almost swung his fist into Gideon’s exposed face. It was only the fact that he had to snag William back and throw him at Daniel that stopped him from doing so. His stomach twisted as the implications behind Gideon’s words sank in. It would not be Braith’s child, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t belong to another member of his family. Jack shuddered; he had to forcefully loosen his grip on Max’s arm before he accidentally shattered it.
The proud thrust of Calista’s shoulders highlighted the length of her slender neck and elegant features as she leveled Gideon with an unwavering stare. “You sound awfully certain of that.”
“I am completely certain that it will not be Braith’s child.”
“This will only matter if Caleb doesn’t destroy her first,” Barnaby reminded them.
“Very true,” Saul agreed as he folded his hands into the sleeves of his robe.
“Would be a pity, I rather liked the girl.” Calista shrugged as she rolled her shoulders and stretched her back. “I am hungry now though.” The others nodded their heads in agreement. “Will the three of you be joining us?”
Jack shook his head not at all surprised by their abrupt change in discussion. “Not right now.”
“Suit yourselves.” Calista nodded to the others and they fell into step behind her.
Jack waited till they were out of earshot before he turned on Gideon. “What was that nonsense about an agreement between you and Aria?”
Gideon’s gaze didn’t waver; there wasn’t even a flicker of remorse in his hazel eyes. “Aria came to speak with me; she agreed that their bond was not to develop further. She was also aware of the fact that if we are unable to separate them, it may mean her death.”
Jack was staggered; Max took a threatening step forward but Jack jerked him back as Gideon’s eyes focused harshly on him. “I never agreed to that. I would never allow such a thing!” Jack shouted.
“She knew that, it’s why she came to me.”
Jack felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. A low curse escaped him as he released Max’s arm. “My daughter will not be sacrificed in this!” David snapped.