the Seven. He apparently had no idea the role his middle brother would play. “What are you telling me about Sam? He will not become one of the Seven.”
“No, he won’t,” Benny agreed. “That’s not his role.”
Zane looked as if his head was about to explode, and Adare could relate.
Benny leaned forward, no doubt trying to help when he should probably remain quiet. “Sam has a path, and it’s not one of danger,” he said. “Well, probably. Okay. There might be some danger involved.”
Zane turned his dark gaze on Benny. “What is Sam’s path?” His voice lowered several octaves and sounded like he spoke through shards of glass.
“Can’t tell you,” Benny said, turning to Ronan. “This is why we’ve tried to remain hidden through the years.”
The situation was deteriorating too rapidly. It was time for the Seven to regroup alone, and figure out what to do. The Realm shouldn’t be involved.
“We should be on our way,” Adare interrupted. “Thank you for your hospitality. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can fix the Realm.”
“If it can be fixed,” Dage said grimly.
Adare had never been one for politics. “You need to know that whatever we did, we did to save the world. Our intentions were good.”
“You perverted the laws of physics and destroyed our ability to teleport,” Dage returned. “Intentions don’t mean squat when the results are disastrous.” Energy cracked through the room. “It’s time you told us everything about the Seven, what you did, who you are, and what your plans are for the future.”
Ronan stood, his gaze tortured. “We took vows of silence.”
“It’s too late,” Dage said, standing and facing his ancestor.
Adare studied them. This close, he could see the resemblance. It was quite striking, actually. “You’re family,” he reminded them, speaking before he could stop himself. He’d do anything to see any of his family again. He had no one. They were all gone.
Dage cocked his head. “Family? Family is honest and puts family first. You skulk and hide. You lie.”
“No,” Ronan said. “We’ve never lied. We took a vow, and we’ve kept it.”
“Guess what?” Dage growled. “The vow is over. We know about the Seven, we know about the Cyst, and we know about other worlds that we can no longer access because of your actions. What we don’t know is why the secrecy.” The king leaned forward, power in every line of his body. “What is it you don’t want me to know?”
The king was smart—there was no question about that. As was Zane Kyllwood.
And both men would do anything, absolutely anything, to protect Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood, the Lock. They could never know the role she was to play in the end. Even Adare didn’t know, but experience told him it would be one of danger and sacrifice. If they had a clue of the danger she’d someday face, they’d try to dismantle the Seven, regardless of the cost to the Realm or to their family.
Ronan stood tall and took one last look at his great-nephew. “It was nice getting to know you, Dage. Good luck.”
Adare exited the room before his brothers, heading down the hallway to awaken Grace. They needed to take their leave and now. Besides, he could use a nap.
He was exhausted.
Chapter 32
Too many people were scrambling around the lodge at Realm headquarters. Hope ran into the rec room, where Libby was sitting, crying with a gift basket in her hands.
“Libby,” Hope said, grabbing her best friend for a hug. “I don’t understand. What is happening?”
Libby sniffled and handed over the bag. “We’re leaving. Going to my mom’s family in Montana for a while. I guess the shifter nations have all left the Realm. We’re enemies now,” she wailed.
“No,” Hope said, setting the bag on the couch. “We’re not enemies. We’ll never be enemies.” She held Libby’s hand. “I’ll go get my dad. He’ll make it okay.” There was no way the shifter nations would just leave the Realm.
Libby shook her head. “It’s too late. We’re all leaving today.”
Paxton ran into the room, his hair long and wild around his shoulders. “Is it true? Do you have to leave?” He grabbed Libby’s arms.
“Yes.” More tears fell down her face and she leaned in to hug Paxton. “I’ll miss you guys so much.”
Pax hugged her back and pulled Hope in for a group hug. “It won’t be for long. I’m sure the shifters will rejoin the Realm soon. They have to.” He was tall and solid holding them, even though he was so skinny.