Page 82 of House of Pain
“Neither did I,” Val agreed.
She was probably already calculating which brother would be more useful to her.
Blaze exchanged a glance with Andro, who was the only one who knew everything there was to know about Leveau family affairs.
Including his older brother, who was kept under lock by his father.
“There’s a reason for it,” Blaze said when he realized that they were still waiting for an explanation.
“A reason why he’s at Grimswater, and we didn’t know he even existed?” Jolene arched a brow.
“Exactly.”
Venefica played rockey games against Grimswater once or twice a year to satiate the hunger for competition for those boys who attended that wretched academy.
To indulge them and remind them at the same time what they’ve lost and what they could have had if they hadn’t fucked up.
It was also a reminder to Blaze, for which he was grateful.
If he didn’t behave, sooner or later, he would join his brother.
Galliermo would make sure of it.
30
Next Saturday night, their basement had transformed from the entertainment area into something entirely else.
Alecto descended the stairs, her boots clunking on the old wood. To Alecto’s surprise, Gael was on his knees, white chalk in his hand as he drew the lines of a circle connected with the pentagram in the middle.
Val stood over his shoulder, arms crossed over her chest as she intently watched his every move.
“Right on time, Black.” Jolene’s voice came from the large bookshelf that took up one whole wall of their basement. The Book was open in her arms. “Do you have the black candles?”
Alecto lifted the paper bag she was holding that held five black wax candles, sourced from the southern side of Inathis. The ones they needed for this spell. The one Alecto had suggested. Jolene nodded her approval.
“Where’s Rogue?” Alecto asked.
“What? Missing him already, Black?” Blaze sneered.
Alecto pointedly ignored him and his sour mood, turning to Val and Gael. “Can I place the candles around the circle? Or are you not finished yet?”
Gael sat on his heels, his brown curls bouncing as he nodded. “I’m done.”
Alecto walked around the circle, placing a pillar candle at each corner of the five-pointed star. When she was done, Blaze walked over to her, flickering the cap of his lighter on and off.
They hadn’t spoken about what had happened between them back at the library. Alecto wasn’t sure what to say.
Don’t ever do this again.
“I’ll keep you company while Rogue’s not here,” Blaze whispered, his voice hoarse and low enough so only Alecto would hear him.
His words were sweet, but his eyes were scorching fire. Alecto wasn’t sure what to make of it.
When she didn’t answer, Blaze’s eyes took her in, really taking their time as they inspected every inch of her outfit.
She had chosen a bloodred silk dress with an open back and thin straps. It had two small slits at each thigh. There was a lot of naked flesh showing, just the way she liked.
Because the dress had an open back, Alecto didn’t bother with a bra. And when Blaze’s gaze stopped at her chest, she regretted her decision because her nipples hardened.
