Hearts At Stake - By Alyxandra Harvey Page 0,25

whispered to her. “Lie down.” I could hear Kieran shuffling the phone, probably searching his pockets.

“You took my guide!”

“Yup. You want it back? Meet us tonight.” Solange’s eyes widened. I waved away her concern.

“I can get another guidebook,” he told me.

“Yeah, but how would it look for a new recruit to have lost it to one of your profiles?” I had him there. “Besides, you owe me, Black.” And there.

He sighed, like an old man. “I don’t actually owe you, Hamilton.”

“Do so.”

“Does Solange know you’re doing this?”

Interesting. “Yes, she knows. Don’t you think she’s tired of playing monkey in the middle for you people? Ow, what?” That last part I said into the air since Solange had grabbed the phone from me, scratching me in the process.

“My nickname is not ‘Princess,’ ” she said witheringly. “Fine. After sunset.” Her voice hardened. “Come alone.”

CHAPTER 9

Solange

Saturday evening, sunset

That night every single one of my brothers was in a foul mood. My parents were worse.

“We have some leads,” my father said tightly from where he stood by the fireplace. “Though not nearly as much as I’d like.”

My mom was wearing her leather vest, the one with all the hidden compartments. Not a good sign. She only wore it for serious hunting or ass-kicking.

“Your father and I have to follow them, as will Hyacinth and your uncles.” Aunt Hyacinth might have been off to track assassins, but she still looked stylish in her riding habit and jet cameo. Her only concession was a pair of pointy granny boots instead of silk dancing slippers. “Geoffrey is in his lab with the Hypnos sample. Ruby is . . . indisposed.” Which was a polite way of putting it. “Bruno will patrol with his men.” Mom looked at my brothers. “Every single one of you will stay here and look after your sister. Except for Sebastian, who’s already left on an errand.”

I gaped at her, horrified. “Mom, no.” My brothers were insufferable enough as it was. Six of them duty bound to follow me would make us all crazy. Lucy cringed sympathetically.

Mom glanced at me. “Solange, you have to take this seriously.”

“Mom, I do. You know I do. But you don’t have brothers, you don’t know.”

Logan contrived to look off ended. “We’re wonderful brothers.”

The others ignored me, nodding solemnly at our parents. I groaned. I was going to have to get Lucy to break all of their noses before the night was through. Good thing she’d had so much practice. It wasn’t that I was ungrateful or didn’t adore my brothers— it was just that Drake men were arrogant, unbending, and liberally laced with white-knight complexes, especially when it came to their baby sister. I watched my mom strap her scabbard on, the leather strap between her breasts, the sword at her shoulder. It made me feel small, frustrated, useless. I couldn’t even Google bounties or Helios-Ra because I’d find nothing but gaming Web sites and bad movie clips. I admit I had already Googled Kieran, but nothing came up.

I followed them to the basement stairs. They’d take the underground tunnels that connected all the farms, with exits in the forest and out near the town, as well as farther into the mountains.

“Maybe you shouldn’t go.” I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if they were hurt on my account. Dad put his hand on my shoulder. He wasn’t tall, but he had the solid, regal bearing of a medieval king.

“We’ll be fine,” he assured me, and I nearly believed him. I watched them go, feeling utterly wretched when I heard the heavy steel door clang shut. My brothers positioned themselves in a half circle around me, staring.

This was already a disaster.

“All right.” Lucy shouldered her way to my side and made a waving motion as if they were annoying flies. “Shoo!” She narrowed her eyes. “I said shoo.”

They dispersed, mostly startled into moving. Only Logan remained, leaning casually against the wall.

“Darling, I’m not some insect to be chased away.”

“Darling?” She snorted amiably. “You’re not ninety years old, either.”

He straightened. “I’m charming,” he informed her. “And women like endearments.”

“Women know you just can’t remember their names, but they like your pretty face enough not to care. Now give your sister some space before she short-circuits.”

He winked at her before sauntering away. She winked back. I knew they were trying to keep the mood light for my sake.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. You know how I love to boss your brothers around. Let’s go upstairs.”

I waited until we were safely ensconced