Page 38 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
Percival stumbled. He placed a hand on the wall to keep himself upright.
“What?” Leo blurted. “How can you abandon him like that? And you can’t send him to a sick-house! He isn’t sick!”
“Then send him to the workhouse.” His uncle picked up a ledger from his desk. He didn’t look up. “He can’t do what heused to here. He can’t fulfil his responsibilities. The workhouse can no doubt find some suitable position for someone as useless as him.”
“He’s your nephew!” Leo took a step forward, body vibrating with rage. He clenched his fists. “What the fuck is wrong with you? What sort of monster are you?”
His uncle looked up then. His eyes flashed. He stared at Leo.
Despite his terror, Percival stepped forward and gripped Leo’s arm, trying to tug him back. He didn’t want Leo to be killed by his uncle. Because Leo might be brave, but if his uncle shifted and burned Leo alive, Percival would never forgive himself.
And Percival could try to defend Leo, but he realised with horror he wasn’t sure if he remembered how to shift. No doubt he and Leo would just end up dead if a fight broke out.
“Come on, Leo. Let’s go. He won’t help me.” And Percival couldn’t help but feel relieved by that.
He didn’t want to be helped by his uncle. He might not remember anything, but something deep inside him told him to stay away from this man.
For several long seconds, Leo remained rigid, staring down Lord Ignatius Everflame.
“Please, Leo. Please, let’s leave.” Percival glanced at his cousin. He hadn’t moved or spoken. He just continued to stare at Percival. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Finally, Leo let out a breath. “Yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of this shithole.” Then he turned and wrapped an arm around Percival, and they walked away.
“And Percival, you of course are no longer allowed to live in the houseIprovided for you.” His uncle’s voice followed them. “I am not a charity! If you are unable to work for me, I will not allow you to reside in a residence I own. You will have to find other living arrangements.”
Percival was about to look back. But Leo spoke, “No. Just keep walking. Just keep walking away.”
But as they walked down the corridor, panic gripped Percival’s heart. It squeezed until he couldn’t draw breath into his lungs.
What do I do now?
Chapter
Seventeen
Leo led Percival down the corridor, away from Lord Ignatius. He gritted his teeth.
As they walked, he vaguely noticed that Ines had disappeared. No doubt she’d taken off as soon as Lord fucking Ignatius started yelling. Leo couldn’t blame her.
Percival half stumbled.
“It’ll be all right, Percy.” Leo tightened his arm around Percival. “Everything will be all right.”
Percival made a choking sound. Leo had to get him out of this building.
It made sense now why Percival had been such an arsehole before if that was his uncle. They strode down the stairs. The guard glanced at them and frowned when they saw Percival staggering. But Leo just kept guiding Percival, trying to get distance between them and Percival’s loathsome uncle.
But what was that stuff Lord Ignatius Everflame had said about Percival being soft in his other past lives? Did that mean he was different in his last life from all the others? Was the Lord Percival Everflame that Leo had originally met an exception? And was that because of Percival’s uncle?
He glanced at Percival. He looked like he’d been struck.
Leo tugged him down a side alley. “Here. Let’s take a moment.”
Percival sucked in deep, gasping breaths. He tilted his head back and stared up at the cloudy sky. Snowflakes fell and melted before touching his cheeks. “What am I going to do? What am I going to do?”
“It’ll be okay.” Leo rubbed his hands up and down Percival’s arms. “We’ll work something out. Everything will be okay.”
Percival’s gaze met his. Tears glistened in his eyes. “Please don’t send me to a workhouse! Please.”
