Gideon's Promise (Sons of Judgment Book 2) (23 page)

Damn it!

“Serinda?” Valkyrie stowed away her blade. “What is it?”

Blue eyes flat and glacial cold, Serinda stared hard at her sister. “Father wishes an audience.”

There was nothing outwardly threatening in the words, but Gideon, although she hid it well, felt Valkyrie seize in panic.

“Now!” Serinda added when no one moved.

Dampening her lips, Valkyrie started forward.

“Valkyrie...”

She granted him a fleeting glance from over her shoulder. She said nothing though, but followed her sister into the darkness.

“N
o!” Gideon’s arms instinctively tightened around the limp figure. “Shut up! Shut her up!”

His mother pulled Imogen into her chest, muffling the song against her collarbone. But it continued its haunting melody, pushing him ever closer to that place of madness.

“Kyrie...” His hands trembled as he reached to touch her face and just as quickly withdrew. “Kyrie.” He pulled her closer to him. “Wake up.” Carefully, so careful not to touch skin, he brushed aside a strand of hair falling lengthwise across her face. “Don’t you dare leave me! Don’t you dare.”

Thick, dark lashes lifted and he was caught in her brilliant blue eyes. “Wouldn’t give you the satisfaction, Maxwell,” she croaked.

He didn’t know whether to laugh, or shake her.

“I’m holding you to that,” he murmured. “Now hold still.”

Her brows furrowed as though he’d said something intelligible. Her breathing rasped as she tried to take in a breath.

“What...?” Her gaze went down to the silver hilt of her own dagger jetting from the cavity of her chest. She blinked. Her eyes bulged. “That bitch!”

“It’s going to be okay,” he said hurriedly before another fight could ensue.

She groaned. Her body shuddered with the pain. “Get it out! I’m going to beat the shit out of her!”

Ignoring her, he looked to the figures around him for help. Octavian had pulled Riley into his arms. She was no longer fighting, and from the look of absolute horror on her face, she was back to herself. Magnus stood just over Octavian’s shoulder, unmoving and stone-faced. His mom was clutching Imogen to her as the younger woman sobbed. It was his father that finally leapt into action.

“Magnus, get the kit. Now!” He rushed across the room and dropped down next to Valkyrie as Magus went to do as was asked of him.

“I’m fine!” she growled through her teeth. “I don’t need—”

“Just hold still,” his father said, and his tone held no room for argument.

Magnus returned with their mother’s version of an emergency kit. Unlike the one humans had with band aids and antiseptic sprays, theirs only consisted of healing ointment made from items even Gideon couldn’t identify. But it healed all otherworldly creatures, except demons, or the strigoi, like Riley. Magnus set the basket down next to Valkyrie’s hip, near their father’s reach and leaned back on his hunches, waiting for further instructions.

A strangled whimper drew their attention. All heads turned to Octavian and the tiny figure he held tightly, but with great care in his arms; Riley was staring at her small, slim hands, caked in Valkyrie’s blood. She was trembling violently so that even her hair vibrated. Octavian scooped her up into his arms and, without a word, carried her from the room.

Magnus and Gideon exchanged glances. They both knew that whatever self-esteem Riley may have possessed, was now irreparably damaged. She would never forgive herself for attacking another person, no matter what the reason. But that was a problem for later.

Magnus and their father stood outside the door while their mother liberated Valkyrie of her sweater after dislodging the dagger from her chest. But not even the sight of her full, generous breasts cupped in lacy, black silk was enough to distract Gideon from the bigger problem, like the hole expelling her life force with careless abundance. He knew he should stand with his father and brother, give Valkyrie her privacy, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave.

“Take off your pants,” his mother ordered while dabbing delicately at the gash with ointment. The white turned a sick pink as it mixed with the blood.

“Yeah, no,” he decided evenly. “I am now a big boy who can mend his own boo-boos. Plus, I would rather not flash the room with my skivvies, but thank you for offering.”

His mom looked ready to argue only to be distracted by the arrival of seventh figure to their small group.

Reggie halted just outside the door. His brown eyes went enormous against his chiseled features as he took in the disheveled state of the room and Valkyrie clad in nothing but a bra sitting propped against the wall with cream slathered across her chest.

“What happened?”

Their father looked up, his expression harder than Gideon had ever seen them. “Where were you?” he demanded.

Reggie looked away from the puddle of blood staining their mother’s hardwood to meet their father’s gaze with surprise.

“I had something to take care of.”

“That is not good enough.” He looked from Reggie’s stunned face to Magnus’s before stopping on Gideon. “Get cleaned up,” he told Gideon sharply. “I want the four of you downstairs.”

“What did I do?” Gideon muttered, climbing awkwardly to his feet, careful to keep weight off his injured leg. “Yell at her,” he waved a hand towards Valkyrie. “She stabbed me.”

His attempts to lighten the mood failed miserable when his father’s icy stare burned Gideon to the core.

“Now is not the time.”

Gideon snapped his mouth shut.

Magnus shifted an inch. “Octavian might not—”

“I don’t care!” Their father’s snarl shut the entire room up as though an arctic gust had blown through it. Even their mother gave a start. “You will tell him to be downstairs, or I will retrieve him myself and it will not be pleasant.”

With that, he whirled on the heel of his shoes and marched from the room. His footsteps thundered down the hall and disappeared at the stairs.

The room remained silent, no one knowing what to say. Fearful glances were exchanged, but no one dared speak.

Like naughty little boys caught doing something they shouldn’t, the three moved to the door. Reggie shuffled in the direction their father had taken while Magnus and Gideon turned towards the living quarters. They stopped at Gideon’s room first.

“Wait for me,” he told his twin before limping inside and shutting the door.

He stripped quickly and hobbled into the bathroom, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. He washed the nasty gash in his thigh, applied cream and wrapped it in gauze to keep it from wiping off on his clothes before dressing quickly.

Magnus was waiting for him outside the door. They walked in silence towards Octavian’s chambers.

Magnus knocked.

Several minutes passed and Gideon got the impression Octavian was ignoring them.

Magnus knocked again, louder and harder this time. Gideon had a feeling it was his final warning before he threw the door open and simply marched in. He prayed the two on the other side were dressed.

The door flew open and Octavian glowered at them. He glowered a little longer at Gideon.

“What?” he snapped.

“Dad wants us downstairs,” Magnus said.

Octavian narrowed his eyes. “I’m busy.”

Magnus shook his head. “You need to come downstairs. Dad’s not joking.”

“He’s royally pissed,” Gideon chimed.

Octavian squinted from one to the other. “Why?”

Gideon shrugged. “Your guess is as good as ours.”

Face bunching in deliberation, Octavian straightened. He cast a glance over his shoulder, sighed, and then turned back to them.

“Give me a sec.” He shut the door in their faces.

It took much longer than a second. It actually took five minutes before he stormed out of his room, looking like someone had taken his favorite cookie, annoyed and frustrated. He charged past Gideon and Magnus and made a beeline for the stairs.

“How is she?” Gideon asked, catching up to his brother’s long strides.

Octavian shot him an accusing scowl. “How do you think?”

Gideon frowned. “What’s your problem?”

“You’re the reason this happened, you and Valkyrie. You’re like children. Grow the fuck up.”

“Hey!” He grabbed Octavian by the elbow and jerked him violently to a halt. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Octavian whirled on him, every muscle rigid like he was barely controlling the urge to beat his bunched fists into Gideon’s face. “It means that the only reason my wife is in emotional pieces right now is because of you, because she was defending you, because you can’t keep your mouth shut. Valkyrie is your mate. Show her a little fucking respect instead of antagonizing her every chance you get.”

The truth of his words pummeled Gideon in the chest. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Octavian shook his head, a look of disgust twisting his face. “Don’t I? You think you’re making this big sacrifice, being noble and protecting her, but instead of being a man about it, you’re acting like a little punk. You goad her, mock her, you insult her and belittle everything that makes her what she is, everything that makes her special. You have no respect for her.” He drew himself up, his loathing and disappointment a sharp slap. “And I have no respect for you.”

Not waiting for Gideon to generate a response, Octavian swept away without a backwards glance. Gideon didn’t look, but he could feel Magnus watching him, studying his face. It only heightened the anger born from self-hate and humiliation.

“Agree with him?”

Magnus didn’t even wait a full heartbeat before answering, “Yes,” and followed their older brother.

Their father was waiting in the dining area when Gideon pushed through the kitchen doors and stepped into the room. He stood by the window overlooking the front porch, hands clasped at his back, shoulders squared. A respectful ten feet away, Octavian, Reggie and Magnus stood waiting. Gideon joined them.

No one spoke for what felt like hours.

“Do you know why I have asked you here?” their father said suddenly. No one spoke and he didn’t push for an answer. He turned to face them. “Because we seem to have forgotten our purpose, who we are and what is expected of us.” He moved away from the window and moved carefully towards a table. He touched the top with the tips of all five fingers, making a dome with his hand. “We are the balance,” he said. “It is our job to fight, to protect, and to keep this world from crumbling into something you are all much too young to remember. But take it from someone who has lived in that darkness...” He raised bright, hard eyes and pinned them in turn on each of his son’s faces. “It is infinite and it will make you long for a death that will never come.” He paused, visibly collecting himself before speaking again. “The women you love, the life you crave, the future you deserve ... will mean nothing if you do not fight for it. Baron is right, there is a war coming and we will lose if we are not prepared. That means...” His gaze shot to Octavian. “Standing with your brothers and protecting your home.” His gaze moved to Reggie. “Making choices even when it seems impossible.” He locked eyes with Magnus. “Trusting your enemies but always keeping both eyes open.” Finally, he faced Gideon. “Accepting the truth and conquering our own doubts.” He moved to stand before them. “We are nothing apart, but together ... we are a force to be reckoned with. We are the guardians of the north, but above all else, we are family and family always stands together. Understand?”

Four heads bobbed mutely in unison.

Their father smiled. He rested one hand on Gideon’s shoulder, the other on Octavian’s, but he peered closely at all four of them.

“Now, more than ever, we must protect each other and our home. This is where we need to be.”

“I can’t just be here,” Reggie said evenly. “I can’t leave Daphne unprotected.”

With a squeeze, he relinquished his hold and faced his youngest son squarely. “You have not imprinted with her. She is safe so long as it remains that way. No one, but us, knows of your bond to her.”

Reggie seemed to stiffen at the logical response. “That isn’t the point,” he said, his tone tight now. “It’s my duty to keep her safe. My scent is all around her house. There is no better way to get to me then to get to her and I won’t let that happen.”

Their father took in a deep breath, held it in his chest and then released it slowly through his nostrils with a slow, understanding nod.

“I understand.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “Daphne is as much a part of this family as Riley.” His gaze flickered to Gideon. “And Valkyrie.” His gaze shifted back to Reggie. “Let me speak to your mother. We will think of something together. But in the meantime, I expect each of you to remain close to home. Veil creatures are being hunted and slaughtered, and we were attacked one too many times for my peace of mind.”

“What about hunting—”

“Will continue,” he interjected, cutting Magnus off. “But this matter takes precedence over all else. I want the person responsible captured and sentenced. They can’t be allowed to harm another family.” His attention fixed on Gideon. “I expect you to begin behaving like adults. You will be civil and conduct yourself in a manner befitting your upbringing. What transpired in the parlor moments ago ... I have never been so appalled. Not only did you insult the head of another house, but your arrogance got Valkyrie injured. Not to mention the damage you caused Riley. I expect you to beg for Valkyrie’s forgiveness, as well as your mother’s, Riley’s and Imogen—”

Gideon frowned. “Imogen? Why—”

“Because I will not have her believe that your mother and I raised a man who has such little regard for others!” his father snapped, blue eyes crackling with an icy anger that made Gideon flinch. “You behaved horrendously, Gideon. Your mother and I have never been so disappointed in you.”

Without even allowing Gideon a moment to scoop up his insides off the floor, his father turned his back and charged from the room, leaving his sons watching after him. Waves of shame and humiliation washed over Gideon, making him feel about an inch tall standing next to his silent brothers. Not one spoke as they too left him.