CASPIAN “What did you do, Reed? What are they talking about?” I walked into my office. Reed’s voice was rough and defensive when he answered. “I wouldn’t be so damned stressed if I fucking knew, Caspian.” I stared out the window at the city. My pulse thudded behind my eyes. First Aria, now Reed. “I’ll call you back,” I said, ending the call down before he could be further stressed. “Stay close to your phone.” My fingers curved around the edge of my desk as I exhaled slowly. This was a manhunt. These weren't random threats. There was a plan, a message. First, Aria, then Reed and Michelle. I wondered if Xander and Nyx had gotten one too. Was there one waiting for me too? Duke's eyes were narrowed on the reports he was looking through. “There’s trouble,” I said. “Isn’t there always?” His sarcasm dried up the moment he saw the look in my eyes. “What now? Is Aria safe?” I nodded once. “Aria’s fine. For now.” The words burned as they left my lips because for now wasn’t good en
CASPIANMy office felt like a bomb was about to go off. I'd been pacing for the better part of an hour, my fingers clenched into fist at my sides. The surveillance photos on Ivan were spread across my desk like this was some twisted card game. I wanted to rip the town apart until I found him and fed him his own tongue. The bastard had killed a cat. For God’s sake, even some monsters had their limit.And it didn't escape me that killing a cat could only escalate into a human being. Fuck!“Ivan’s been keeping his head down, but we've got eyes on him.” Duke said, pushing a blurry photo forward. “Our contact was able to get this picture of him meeting with Rowan again last night. It was the same location as before but they had more men. I'm thinking something spooked them.” I stopped pacing. “Where? I want to find him now.” “The old warehouse district. We're close to finding his exact location.” “Tell me where he is, Duke.” Duke glanced up at me, shook his head and went back to work
ARIAI was at my wits end. Someone had been calling my phone all morning. I answered and assumed it was a female from the soft breathing.I could hear a dog barking. I had no idea where the sound was shooting from, but it felt even worse with the breathing in my ear. “Zara? Talia? You need to stop playing stupid games or you'll win stupid prizes.” I hissed into the phone. My fingers were clenched so hard that my nails were biting into my palms and I didn't even care. “Oh? Will I?” The voice was like a whisper, but it had more of a vague quality. Whoever it was, this person was making lots of effort to disguise their voice. “You will. I'm not scared of you. If you have something to say, come to me directly.” Someone was trying to scare me, and that someone was succeeding. I sat back in the kitchen, staring out the window. Caspian had left for work. He had offered to drop the kids off at school too, and I'd allowed him, taking the morning off. A day ago, Nyx and Analide had handed
ARIA NO. I was shaking my head before Caspian could say another word. “It's not him, I can't believe my father would harm my kids.” I muttered, refusing to even believe it. “Let's talk about it when we're alone, Caspian.” But the question stayed like smoke after a bonfire, wrapping tighter around my neck like a noose. What if Caspian was right? What if father had something to do with this? Driving over to Caspian’s home was easy enough, but I didn't want to be here. It wasn't my home, nor my place of safety. But the kids loved his home. Analide came over with Nyx. They were both happy enough to help me set up the kids room and my room. I had insisted on taking my own room. A place that was mine and that I could back away and retreat from the world if I wanted to. Caspian came to the door, leaning against it with his fingers around the handle. “I need to leave for a couple hours. I'll be back before Nyx leaves.” I nodded, moving to him at the door. Lowering my voice, I asked
ARIACaspian arrived half way through, his eyes flashing when I opened the door and he saw my father with the twins. Nylah jumped off the floor and ran into his arms as always. “Hello, Prince Caspian,” she said. “Did you know that I have a grandfather?” Caspian frowned at my father who stood and walked over to us. “I didn't know, and I didn't expect to see him here either.” Caspian’s voice tightened on the last words and he threw me a scatching look. The visit had been impromptu, I hadn't had the time to tell him ahead of time, and he didn't need to look so pissed about it.“Caspian Finnick. Pleasure to meet you,” Father said, smiling up at Finnick and holding his arm out for a shake.Caspian’s eyes darkened. “I wouldn't say the same, Mr. Stanton. If you'll excuse me. Aria, may I speak to you for a moment alone?”He allowed Nylah to slid down the floor and with my father's hand hanging in the air, he walked off. “Meredith? Please keep an eyes on the kids. I'll be back.” I excused
ARIAI couldn't sleep that night. Caspian had dropped me off at home, and went off to a meeting with his uncle. Every single creak in the house had me sitting up in bed, listening with my ears peeled for what? Footsteps? Voices? Someone trying to break into the house? I had no idea. When I sat up the third time, I threw my legs out of bed and walked into the kitchen, made myself a cut of coffee and sat with my fingers wrapped around it to warm my cold fingers.Ivan anger towards me was worrying. He was the one who had assaulted me. He didn't have any reason to pursue me so relentlessly. I went up into my bedroom, found the drive and plugged it in. Vivienne had researched Rowan extensively. If there was something, then I would find it. I read for an hour, clicking through all the documents, but there was nothing to see. No mention of her husband, but again, if Vivienne had information on Ivan, she most probably wouldn't place it where I could see it. I sat back, sipping from the c