Page 55 of The Stone Survival
Serath and Orix looked skeptical, and Levi’s jaw tightened in annoyance.
“I agree with Levi.” I smiled across at my friend. “But you best talk fast.”
Levi nodded curtly.
“Listen!” Shar cocked her head. “They’re here.”
Fuck. Orix flipped the light off, and he and Serath melted into the shadows on either side of the door. Lionel retreated out of view by the pantry.
“This way to the kitchen,” Adaline said, her tone bright and chirpy, and a little too loud, obviously for our benefit.
I tensed in my seat, forcing my face into a neutral expression. Opposite me, Curi and Shar seemed to be frozen. Levi stood slightly in front of the table so he’d be the first person Ulrickson saw on entering the kitchen.
The door opened, and Adaline hurried into the room. Her eyes widened as they fell on Levi, and she quickly moved aside to allow Ulrickson to enter.
He stepped inside and stopped at the sight of Levi, before his gaze flicked to the table, sweeping over me, Curi, and Shar.
“All right,” he said. “What is this about?” He sounded unruffled, and he didn’t flinch when Orix closed the door and the two goyles came to flank him.
“We need your help,” Levi said to his father. “We know about the faction, and we know that you work for them.”
His brows flicked up slightly, the only indication that he was surprised by this comment. “And who is this faction you speak of?”
Okay, so he was going to deny it.
“Please, Dad,” Levi said. “We have evidence. But I know you wouldn’t turn on the council, on the guardian duty unless you had no choice. I know they’re blackmailing you. Help us to stop them. They don’t have to know. You can be free.”
He dropped his gaze. “What evidence?”
Lionel stepped out from the shadows, Sela’s father’s book in hand. “Written accounts by another goyle they have in their web.”
Ulrickson straightened, his nostrils flaring. “I should have guessed you were behind this.”
“I have no love for you either, Ulrickson, but this isn’t about whether you and I can be friends. This is about whether you and I have a common enemy that we can work together to destroy.”
Ulrickson lifted his chin. “This faction…”
“That’s what they call themselves.”
His eye twitched. “You got all this from that book?”
“No,” Serath said. “We got all this from the graynites who saved us from them.”
Ulrickson exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging. “I knew it. I knew…Dammit.”
“Help us,” Levi said. “Please.”
Ulrickson closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. “I’m assuming this is a secure location.”
“It is,” Lionel said. “But we don’t have much time.”
“I guess I better start talking, then.”
No need for aggression.No need for the cuffs. Ulrickson shrugged off his calf-length coat and took a seat at the table.
“I had a feeling something was up when you called me, Adaline. You never call me.”
She looked guiltily away. “I’m sorry.”
