Chapter 7

The reflection on the wall changed and then I could see inside the next room. Inside it, the kings, Michael and Arius stood with the man I recognized as the man from the garage. Victor stood in the doorway. All of their expressions should have been warning enough to anyone that doubted they were not to be messed with.

“You’re going to stand there, Nathas. You move in any direction and I will shut you down.” Arius said in a tone that made me want to run.

Nathas took a moment to look around him, then nodded.

Arius looked at Victor and nodded.

Victor walked out of sight.

Quinton took a deep breath and then stepped aside to let Autumn and Paisley leave.

Seconds later they walked into the room with Nathas. They stopped a few feet inside the room and stood there, side by side, the exact same expression on their faces. Quinton and Victor came in behind them and stood there.

I held my breath as the silence dragged on. I couldn’t decide who to watch. Autumn and Paisley were silent and unmoving, studying the man that stood in front of them. Nathas had a puzzled look on his face, the kind you get when you realize something, but are having a hard time believing it.

“Paisley?” He said in a hesitant tone. He looked at Autumn. “Aubree, how is this possible?”

Autumn snorted. “That’s what we want to know.” She looked at Paisley. “And the name’s Autumn now.” She shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest.

The expression on Nathas face was clear shock. He paled. “I thought,” he looked at Troy then back to the women, “I thought…”

“I don’t want to know what you thought.” Paisley said quietly. “I want to know why my sister was on the street at six.”

“The street.” He said in a hollow tone. “My wife, Peyton—your mother,” he shook his head, “she was attacked. I found her,” he took a deep breath, then exhaled quickly, “she was in the morgue.” He shook his head, “no one could find out,” he looked at Autumn, “find you.”

Paisley looked at Autumn, then back to him. “So you just disappear? Wife dead, one daughter missing and you abandon the other?”

Nathas frowned. “Peyton’s mother agreed to look after you. She even took on my name so you would have it.”

Arius stepped toward Paisley, she held up her hand and he stopped.

“You gave me your name? How generous.” She scowled at him.

“Your wife was killed and you did nothing?” Michael scowled at him. “You had all of Alterealm’s resources at your disposal and could have found your daughter…”

Nathas snorted. “I had nothing at my disposal.” He looked from Michael to Troy, “not here.”

I watched the Elder pace toward the door, then stop and look in at his son again. Shaking his head, he leaned closer to Leone and spoke quietly. Leone looked over his head to Emil at the other end.

“How—how are you both here?” Nathas’ voice was quite a bit louder now. “Here in Alterealm?”

Autumn snorted and shoved up the sleeve of her hoodie, revealing the tattoo on her arm. She looked at Michael and then back to the shocked man.

Nathas’ eyes went wide. “You’re mate to Prince Michael?” He looked at her for a moment with his mouth hanging open. When he glanced to Paisley, she lifted the pendant resting on her breastbone and dangled it.

Nathas squinted, then straightened. He looked at Arius with fear on his face.

“That’s right.” Quinton smirked, “your son’s-in-law are the law and warden of Alterealm. Your daughters are Princesses of Alterealm.”

“I-I…” lifting his hands, Nathas rested his palms on either side of his head.

“What were you doing helping Willis Hubert?” Victor demanded in a cold tone.

“Does he have the tattoo?” Chase asked turning to Arius.

“I don’t need to be magically persuaded to do something about changing the failed systems of this realm.” Nathas said in a low tone.

“He’s aware.” The Elder made a sound of annoyance and walked out of the room.

“The systems are in place for a reason.” Chase stared at him, hands on hips. “Most are not meant for this realm. If they were, they wouldn’t die when they cross over.” He gave him an exasperated look. “You know all of this. Your father is on the Elder’s council.”

“Right.” Nathas gave him a bored look. “Peyton wasn’t my mate. I wouldn’t have been approved to bring her over…”

“Had you come to us when your wife was pregnant, we would have made accommodations to allow her and your children here.” Elder Roan pushed his way past Quinton and Victor and now stood between Autumn and Paisley. “You didn’t though, you just vanished and never returned.” He gave his son a loathsome look, “leaving your incredible daughters out there on their own.”

Nathas looked livid now, “I didn’t vanish, old man…” He stopped and his eyes went wide.

Paisley had her hand held in the air. “Do not disrespect your elders.” She ground out between clenched teeth.

Arius placed his hand on her shoulder. “Release him, babe.”

Inhaling deeply, she dropped her hand and looked at Nathas.

The man just stood there, eyes wide, shock and fear on his face. Then his expression started to change.

“Say one peep against my sister and I will lay you out on the floor so fast you might swallow a few of your teeth.” Autumn glared at him.

“I think we’ve had enough family reunion for today.” Chase stepped in front of Paisley.

Michael put his hand on Autumn’s shoulder. She nodded, then turned toward the door.

As they filed back into the room, Kara held her hand up. No one spoke for at least a minute. Kara nodded, then did something on the pad beside her. Taking a deep breath, she turned around.

“I didn’t get much.” She said looking at Troy. “His thoughts were all over the place as soon as he saw the girls.”

Troy nodded. “We may get some information from him, after he’s had some time to settle.” He looked over at Victor, “Willis and Nelson are in his head a lot.”

“My son is one of his generals and has been helping orchestrate this entire thing.” The Elder said in a sad tone.

“This started long before Nathas disappeared.” Rafael stated.

Chase nodded. “About a century before he did, or more.”

The Elder didn’t look placated. “It doesn’t change his involvement or behavior prior.”

Paisley stepped over to Troy and pointed her finger in his face. “I don’t care if you have to tear him apart from the inside out, you find out what he knows. All of it.”

Arius moved over to her quickly. She shook her head and paced away.

It didn’t take a genius to see how she was hurting. It wasn’t a physical injury, but I knew in some cases my touch could soothe. I pulled off one of my gloves and went over to her. I touched her hand. “I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling.” I said softly.

She took a shaky breath and nodded. “You have your own pain.” Taking another deep breath, she took a much deeper breath in then breathed it out.

Quinton came over and frowned at me. Without a word, he reached down and pulled my hand from hers. His eyes were moving over my hair as he did.

I didn’t need to look to know it had lightened slightly.

“Oh, Reagan.” Paisley gave me a teary-eyed look. “Thank you.”

Arius was beside her in a second, pulling her into his arms.

Autumn crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m ready to move on.”

Paisley gave her a small smile. “Same. We’re here and happy, the past has no hold on us now.”

Arius kissed the top of her head.

Stepping back from me, Quinton gave me an odd look.

Rafael glanced to Kara briefly. “While Nathas settles, I say we move on and figure out what we’re doing with that woman from the asylum.”

Quinton crossed his arms over his chest. “I was hoping we could get some more information from the residents we pulled out of there.” He looked over at Victor, “make sure we’re not walking into a trap.”

Victor inclined his head. “I was thinking the same.” He motioned around the room, “locking the royal family in that place would go far to ensure Willis’ plan is successful.”

“Were you able to find out anything, Kara?” Daxx crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the wall.

Kara shrugged. “Not really. They’re still out of it.”

“Doctor has most of them on tranquilizers until their over-all health has improved.” Rafael looked at Quinton. “Detrick is the most coherent today.”

Quinton nodded. “He asked to not be drugged.”

Troy rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “I still want to look in a few heads that have been brought in most recently,” he exhaled and looked to Quinton, “can you and Emil take Reagan over to get her belongings?”

“I’ll come too.” Autumn stated. “I need some fresh air.”

Michael gave her a quick appraisal and nodded to Quinton. “Take two guards with you.”

Quinton nodded. “Right after we get the doc to check out Reagan and make sure there’s nothing lingering from yesterday.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it, deciding that knowing might not be so bad.

“I’m going to go look around the market again and see if I can spot any more of those symbols.” Leone looked to Michael.

Michael kissed the top of Autumn’s head. “I’ll come with you.”

“Take guards.” Victor stated.

“You really think we’d be attacked at the market, here, in Alterealm?” Leone waved his hand when Victor straightened. “Never mind, we’ll take guards.”

“I’m going to rest.” Alona announced.

Troy blew out a breath. “Anyone that doesn’t have something critical to be doing should rest when they can.”

“Rest is good.” Crissy jumped up from the corner she’d been sitting in. “The climax is almost here.” She grinned, nodding her head quickly. “I’m going to my tower.” Without waiting, she turned and left the area.

“The climax?” Daxx looked to Troy. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

Victor nodded his head slowly while looking where Crissy had gone. “She’s been going with very little sleep—less than normal.” Pulling out his phone, he started typing on it. “I’m going to go see if she can explain anymore.”

“Please share if you do.” Bethany said.

“Yeah,” Daxx nodded, “like if the climax is in our favor—or bring bigger weapons...”

“Any details are welcome.” Emil rubbed his hand over his face. “Let me know when you’re going over.” He looked at Quinton. “I’m going to go see if Rena is in a better mood today.”

“Good luck.” Quinton said, then his brown eyes locked on me. “Let’s go see the doc.” He waved his big hand toward the door.