Page 100 of Goldrage
AURELIA
The walk to Lucian’s office is eerily quiet, the sounds of war fading behind us as we move through corridors that should be heavily guarded. The sudden absence of men makes my skin crawl with dread.
“The office door’s open,” Eleanora says, her weapon raised as we approach the heavy oak entrance. “We can check there first before—” She falls silent when we hear voices.
Through the gap comes Adrian’s steady tone alternating with something that sounds like Julian’s voice, but higher, more frantic.
Lorenzo and Eleanora check first and their grim expressions tell me I won’t like what I’m about to find. I peer around the doorframe and immediately understand why the hallways were unguarded. Lady Harrow’s body lies crumpled beside Lucian’s desk, blood pooled beneath her.
Dead. Finally dead.
It’s a relief… but who killed her?
Adrian stands in the center of the room, his hands raised to show he isn’t a threat. He tries to speak calmly. “Julian, just take a breath. Listen to me. We can leave together, start over somewhere?—”
“You’re all liars and you’re the fucking worst, brother.” Julian’s voice cracks with hysteria as he paces behind the massive desk, his movements jerky and unpredictable. “You think I’m an idiot. You thought I didn’t know about your fucking plans for tonight. You all had your plans, your secrets. What the hell did I have? Nothing! You could’ve trusted me, but you didn’t. You fucking didn’t!”
Adrian glances back, noticing me, Lorenzo, and Eleanora. “Come with us. We want you to come with us.”
“Yet you didn’t want to include me in your plans. You never fucking trust me. So why should I trustyou?”
Adrian’s jaw ticks. “I’m sorry. With Lady Harrow, things were delicate. If I didn’t trust you, why would I ask you to come with us? I do trust?—”
“Just shut up. I’m done being manipulated.”
Adrian’s jaw ticks again and his shoulders drop. “I’m sorry, but you’re coming with us.” He advances a few steps and Julian laughs and waves his gun.
Adrian tips his chin at me and the others. “You’re out numbered, brother.”
Julian only laughs. “So you’re going to drag me out kicking and screaming? Again, you don’t give a fuck what I want. You just desperately need to play the hero. Well, I planned for that.” Julian’s gaze drops behind the desk and he says, “Come in.”
Who is he…?
I gasp and horror seizes my heart.
Roby, small and terrified, is dragged from beneath the desk where he’d apparently been hiding. Julian’s arm wraps around the boy’s throat while his other hand presses a pistol to Roby’s temple.
Lorenzo tenses beside me, every muscle in his body coiled to spring forward. But Julian’s wild eyes find us in the doorway, and his grip on Roby tightens with manic intensity.
“Don’t fucking move!” Julian shrieks, his voice echoing off the mounted animal heads that stare down with glassy indifference. “Not one step.”
I raise my weapon with shaking hands, trying to find an angle that won’t endanger Roby while keeping Julian in my sights. The boy’s eyes are wide with terror, but he remains perfectly still, understanding instinctively that any movement might trigger the unhinged man holding him hostage.
“Julian,” I say, forcing my voice to remain calm despite the way my insides tremble. “Let him go. He’s just a child. He has nothing to do with any of this. He’s innocent.”
Julian’s laugh is splintered. “Haven’t you learned by now,Golden One, that as soon as you’re part of this life, there’s no escape? This kid was born in this world and he’ll die in it. Whether it’s now or when he’s forty, that’s his fate.” He sweeps his gaze over all of us. “See? I can make plans too. And what I wantmatters, even if none of you give a shit.” He presses the gun barrel against Roby’s temple hard and Roby whimpers. “So here’s what’s goingto happen,” Julian continues, “Aurelia is coming with me. Once we’re in a vehicle, you can have the kid, but Aurelia and I get to leave without anyone trying to stop us.” He stares at Adrian. “Refuse and I’ll shoot you first, brother.”
Why would he want me?
I gasp when understanding hits.
Oh no…
I step in front of Adrian, shielding him. “Julian, listen?—”
“Shut up!” He tsks at Adrian, who hasn’t moved. “I thought better of you, brother. Letting a pregnant woman fight your battles? Where’s your chivalry?”
I swallow. This isn’t how I wanted the truth to come out, but there’s no choice. The weight of my deception presses down on my chest. In this moment of ultimate crisis, with Roby’s life hanging in the balance, my lie has to end.
