Page 72 of Midnight Legacy

Uncle Dan.

“Is he seriously trying to imply that he is the hero in this story and the Council is the evil empire?” Jordan demanded.

“They ordered the execution of Michael without Dad blinking twice,” Ash replied. “He was an asshole and admittedly deserved what he got in the end, but I can’t help but think that he would do the same to me if I opposed him.”

“They know we have this information, so they’ll be guarded now,” I said. “They probably have all our security access changed.”

That creepy smile that sent shivers down my spine appeared on Jordan’s face. “Over the years, I created back doors into the systems and have alternative access codes.”

Of course he did. I resisted rolling my eyes at him.

“But this presents us with a unique opportunity,” Jordan continued.

“How?” I demanded.

He shrugged. “We take this to the Council, minus the paper with the coded messages, and ask for their help. They have no idea that we suspect any of them. The best way to flush out a mole is to flood their hole and watch them emerge.”

“And if they kill you?” Cassandra asked, her fingertips finding mine.

“The Council is lazy and expects others to get rid of their problems,” I reassured her. “They’re greedy and want to know what was in that box, even though it looks like the answers are in that house you kept preserved all these years.”

“Do you think that’s why Dad left instructions that the house could not be touched or sold for fifty years or until a relative claimed it?”

“Maybe,” I conceded. He must have known that his brother was alive out there and could decipher all his codes. What else was hiding in that house all these years?

“Reach out to your dad,” Jordan instructed. “Ash, you do the same. It will make them feel important and will give you a layer of protection.”

“Who will protect you?” I asked.

“Grandfather is old and reclusive, but he still holds a lot of power, even if I sit in his seat on the Council. He will visit the wrath of God down on anyone who threatens his only heir.” Jordan’s face darkened. “He was the one who taught me the art of persuasion.”

What he really meant was torture. His grandfather had terrified me even as a child. Their home was devoid of memories or colour. Mum had family pictures up in our home, and every room was a different colour. She kept my ancient teddy bears that were still in a box in my old nursery, my baby books in another.

From the moment his parents were assassinated, Jordan lived a strict life governed by his grandfather. He never spoke of his parents, no matter how many times Jordan begged, even beating him occasionally when he mentioned them. Their photographs and every memory of them were removed until all Jordan knew was his grandfather. I had no doubt that cantankerous old man would destroy anyone who came near Jordan, because he’d spent years honing him into his image.

“We need a distraction so we can get to Cassandra’s family home without alerting anyone,” I said, still studying the letter. “He went to a lot of trouble to contact Cassandra.”

“I’ll have to go with you,” Cassandra interrupted my thoughts. “Just in case there is something else that you need me to interpret.”

My entire body stiffened in rejection. The need to keep her here and safe pulsed through me with a violent intent. I opened my mouth to object, when she spun around to face me, her eyes imploring.

“My dad was the last person to touch those books.” Her hands clasped my waist and my emotions warred deep in my chest.

“She has a point,” Jordan stated. “We can get Lucas to come with us.”

“I would gladly join your expedition.” Uncle Lucas stood watching us from the door, the handful of papers in his hand. “All this drama is why you sit on my Council seat, Xavier. I am too old for their petty ways. But I am willing to join Jordan’s grandpapa in invoking the wrath of the gods.”

A smile touched my lips. We both knew that I was his eyes and ears on that Council, and it irked some of them that there were two Bartholomew men present. Women did not sit on the Council and their positions fell to a male relative. Ash held a position from his mother’s side of the family.

Looking at it from an outsider’s point of view, it seemed quite incestuous, and now they were trying to plan our marriages to keep their precious Council pure.

We disbanded to organise the different parts of our next move. In the conservatory, I lifted my phone to my ear while I stared at the pond. Cassandra settled herself on a sofa with her legs tucked under her and a cushion on her lap.

“Dad?” I said when he answered. “I know you’re still away on business, but we need to talk when you get home.”

There was silence for a few beats. I imagined him trying to get his story straight, since he told me he was in America.

“I finished business early and arrived home last night,” he replied slowly.

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