Page 148 of Cursed Lifeline

Alfred eyes Viktor with hostility as he stands his ground across the room.If I were honest, I’d tell Alfred I don’t know why I’m going through with this. If anything maybe because desperate times call for desperate measures. And if there is anything Esme and I am after two hundred years it’s desperate to end this, one way or another. Even if it means trusting Viktor, confronting Ember, and fighting in an underground ring.

“Think about it, Alfred, instead of waiting for tragedy to strike, we force the hand that’s intent on ruining us. Maybe then we’ll stand a chance at winning.”

When he doesn’t respond, I sternly say. “Besides, Esme and I, we have the final say. Esme’s safety is what matters most, and...”

“Exactly,” he hisses, coming a step closer. “Hersafety, Felix.”

"There are more things in heaven and earth,Alfred,than are dreamt of in your philosophy,"I seethe, as I push out of my seat and walk towards the fireplace in my office.

Although I don’t ever crave the warmth of it, I find myself drawn to the quietness of the dancing flames. I weigh his words with a heavy heart and know he means well, but after everything we’ve been through in trying to win this war against a curse we’ve spent over two centuries attempting to outrun, I just don’t see any other way that will benefit all of us.

“Ifheturns on us,” my brother releases a feral growl as the words leave Alfred’s lips and I roll my eyes, “everything we’ve sacrificed, every life we lost over the last two hundred years, would be for nothing.”

“He won’t turn on us,” I insist, putting more faith in my brother than I ever thought I would.

“I’m glad you’re so sure,” Alfred hisses, walking towards the door. “The rest of us are inclined to keep our reservations untilhehas proven his loyalty.”

“He’sstanding right here,” Viktor seethes. “And the future of my loyalty lies in the hands of a princess whose powers far succeed the ones possessed in the mighty hand we’re trying to bring down.”

Alfred halts with his hand on the doorknob as I toss another log into the hearth. His angered gaze swings Viktor’s way as my brother crosses his arms over his chest. The wood crackles, the flames grow brighter, and we stand in silence as the future weighs heavy between us.

“You’d be smart to remember that theprincessmakes her own rules.”

“Rules I’ll gladly follow to my death once I’m free of Ember’s oath.”

Resting my arm against the mantle, I shake my head and sigh heavily. From one battle to the next, it’s apparent these two will never see eye to eye.

Alfred remains silent for a moment, then finally decides my brother's comment doesn’t deserve a response, and instead says, “What if what you’re planning finally kills Esme? For good this time, Felix. Attempting this foolish plan in an underground club run byViktoris a sure way to get us all killed. Did you think of that?”

My brother takes a step forward in challenge. I raise my hand, and his intended volatile confrontation comes to a halt.

Did I think of that? Of course I fucking thought of it. I’ve weighed our options and believe I’ve discovered a key to breaking the curse Ember didn’t divulge a hundred years ago. I finally hold the upper hand, and because I do, I’m confident we can win this time.

“Conscience does make cowards of us all,” I sternly say, urging them to listen. “And thus the native hue of resolution, is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.”

They look at me as if I’ve grown two heads. Sighing, I say, “Maybe weighing the consequences of my actions and the repressions over the centuries have made me hesitant and fearful to ultimately do what’s right.”

When that still doesn’t work, and they continue to stare at me with questioning eyes, I say, “Esme and I have been running from the inevitable all our lives. I’m tired of the chase, Alfred. The hunt. I know she is, too.”

He studies me coolly, but I can tell his heart is warming to the asinine plan my brother and I have constructed. He doesn’t want to accept it’s the only way this time. Neither do I. But if he searched his heart, he’d know it’s the one thing we haven’t tried, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll prove powerful enough to end the curse once and for all.

“It might work,” he reluctantly admits after a moment. “In a sick twisted way, I suppose this could have been the end game all along.”

“Myend gamehas always been to keep her safe. This, Alfred, is the only way I know how to do that anymore. We’ve tried everything else.”

“What you’re proposing would end things, one way or another.”

“So you won’t stand in my way?”

“Do I have a choice?”

I give him a shrug and grin.

When I don’t respond, he asks, “When?”

“Tomorrow night.” His eyes grow wide. “We end this now. Before any more time slips through our fingers and threatens to take her away. That is, if you believe she’s ready?”

I’ll give him that much, the say so, even though I’d trump his decision if he dares to go against me. It’s a small peace offering for the time he’s put in training Esme and keeping her safe when I couldn’t. If he says no, we’ll still go through with it. But, I figure letting him have the honor of saying the plan is a go might make this whole crazy idea run a little smoother.

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