Because of that, many of the Fallen were still young. Gregory was only twenty in both human and Fallen years. He was angry and prone to violence, often selfish and he loved the power of being Brand’s son.
It was his youth and status that kept him alive. If he had been any but Brand’s son, he would have already been sentenced, and everyone knew it. There was a growing restlessness among the Fallen over his preferential treatment and his actions that often resulted in the loss of another life. Like Liam’s.
They had plucked the riders out of the canyon. They had turned despite the daylight and they had gone after them, taking them down easily. The bikes and bodies were in the garage next to the Fallen house. Liam had not only turned, he had gone rogue — he had eaten his captive.
“Gregory, you should never have allowed yourself to turn, or encouraged others to do so as you did,” Sebastian said. “It is your fault that Liam lost whatever leash he had on the wolf within him. I call for punishment.” Sebastian knew his father was a good man and a fair one, but when it came to his youngest son he was blind and indulgent.
“I agree!” Moira cried. “He deserves punishment!”
A ripple of assent echoed throughout the room. Brand stood, his dark eyes flashing and his lean body towering over those around him. Silence fell.
“I am the King of the Fallen and I will decide what happens and when,” he said. “Gregory, come with me.” He turned and left the room.
Moira looked at Sebastian, her lovely eyes overflowing with tears. “Father will never punish him, Sebastian, and you know it.”
He did know it. He also knew that Moira had been Liam’s wife for over a century and that she was dying from heartache. She had not forgiven him his part in this either. He’d had no choice, and they both knew it, but that was a small consolation to her, and they all knew that as well.
CHAPTER 5
Nico looked up as Ion practically dragged Cara into the large living room of the crumbling old mansion in the Garden District. His eyes narrowed as he took in Cara’s swelling mouth and angry face. Ion was known to be cruel to women. Had he touched Cara in a way she hadn’t asked for? If he had…
“I found her kissing a gadjo.”
Gadjo was the Romani word for outsider. Cara winced at the way her father tilted her head to look at her. She could read his disapproval in that single movement.
“Is this true?”
“I ran into a rogue,” she protested.
“The man was a roguish man, or you met a rogue of the Fallen?” Nico’s lips twitched as he asked and relief spiked through Cara. She knew her father loved her and that he wasn’t blind to Ion’s faults.
“A Fallen.”
Ion gripped Cara’s arm even tighter. “Why didn’t you say so?” he shouted. “And who was the gadjo?”
“I think he was a Hunter. He helped me.” She didn’t say anything else. The less said the better.
“Ion, leave us,” Nico commanded.
Ion’s gray eyes flashed with rage. “I have the right to know what she does, Nico. She’s promised to me!”
“There was never a promise, Ion, there was only the hope. One day you’ll understand the two are not the same. In the meantime, I’m the head of this family and I demand your exit.”
Ion left, slamming the front door behind him. Nico said, “Follow me,” and headed for his sitting room.
Cara followed meekly. Her face was burning with shame and she knew that all of the family knew what she had done, at least that she had kissed a gadjo who might be a Hunter.
Resentment bubbled up under her shame. Why was it that she was the only person who never had a say about what happened in her life? She was a grownup and she had the right to decide her own path.
“I wish that were true, daughter,” Nico said softly.
“Dammit! You promised you wouldn’t spy on my thoughts!” The door closed behind them and she faced her father across the starkly furnished sitting room. The only furnishings in the room were a large rosewood desk and chair, a wall filled with shelves upon shelves of books and a small leather couch.
“I couldn’t help it. Your thoughts were as loud as that music the neighbors like to blast during their cocktail parties.”
Cara sighed. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Ion is an asshole who thinks he’s entitled to everything he sees, even me, and you know it.”
“I do know it. That doesn’t excuse your actions but it makes them understandable. A man who helps you escape that kind of danger would be very appealing.”
“He would’ve been appealing either way,” Cara said. “He was a Hunter, I think, but I can’t be sure.”