the moment Amelia's power was unleashed. I looked back at it now and I remembered that it was also the exact moment my brother had returned to my castle. This, of course, being only moments after the connection with Amelia touching the Eye had took hold of me.
This was damning indeed.
Added to this were the days of him disappearing just when those of us needed to speak with him. I also thought back on previous conversations. Like when he had declared he would be the one to find out more information about the witch instead of my general, who I had first issued with this task. Was it because he feared what Carn’reau may have found out?
I also thought back to when he had asked about the Eye and convinced me that it didn't need to be moved. Was this because he knew she would be drawn to it when she woke and that was all that was needed for him to have the Harpy Queen steal it away?
In fact, the only piece of the puzzle I didn't have was how she had been able to take both my Chosen One and Nero along with the Eye. However, the moment I released Nero, giving her back her mind she answered this lingering question that I must have subconsciously left planted there,
“It was the hex,” she told me.
“What do you mean?” My frown said it all, or more like the all I didn’t yet know.
“It wasn't the type of summoning hex we all thought it was, I'm just sorry that I realised it too late.”
“Ur nae tae be blamed, lass,” Vern said to comfort her, at the same time running the back of his fingers down her cheek.
“Tell me of the hex,” I said, needing to know.
“The hex wasn't trying to summon Amelia to the witch, the hex was so that others could be summoned to her, wherever Amelia was.” The moment she told me this, it was as if a light had been switched on in a dark room, spreading light on the parts I hadn’t been able to make sense of.
Now I could see everything so clearly. Mainly how the Harpy had been able to get inside. She most likely had others, perhaps her sisters waiting nearby so they could transport both the girls and the Eye to Tartarus. This also meant that my brother was working with the witch, and in between had seemingly been collecting those he could use and manipulate.
It was all starting to make sense in an unforgiving way, I could barely believe that my own brother had done this to me. It would have been like finding Adam stood at my back after the knife had pierced through my heart from behind.
But then there was no other explanation, and right now I only had one option left, to imprison my brother, and interrogate him, extracting any information from him any way I could.
I gave the nod to Vern after releasing a pained sigh, knowing this wasn't going to be easy for both my brother or I. Vern picked up Nero and carried her over to his brother for it would look too suspect had he had just left her on the floor.
He nodded toward Dariush in acknowledgement before carrying Nero over to the steps that led up to the level of my throne. He whispered something down to her that I couldn't hear but whatever it was, it made her blush. Then after this, he walked back to Gryph just as I was walking up to my brother,
“Where have you been?” I asked knowing this was the question he would be expecting first.
“I should be asking you that same question seeing as you flew out of here pretty quickly.”
“I had a vision of where Amelia would be, granted to me by the Eye,” I told him taking careful note of his reactions to this.
“And were you successful, for I see you retrieved the witch at least, although she does look to have seen better days?” he commented, and knowing what I knew now it was a struggle not to punch him.
“She will survive, but I need to speak with you, for there is much for us to discuss.” Dariush actually had the audacity to sigh as though this was all very taxing, before running hands through his hair.
“Yes, well you charged me with finding information about this witch, that was never going to happen by having my ass sat on a throne or behind