As Ethan strode across the room, Lily sat at the kitchen island, absently stirring her tea. His jaw was clenched in irritation as he held his phone up to his ear. He was stiff, and tense, like he was preparing for a battle, and she had seen him like this before.
She understood why after hearing Claire’s explanation.
There was an impending event.
Ethan was trying everything he could to prevent it.
Ethan snapped into the phone, "I don’t care what it takes." "Identify the person using the strings."
Lily watched him intently while biting her lip. He was excluding her once more, reverting to the icy, cunning side of himself that she had battled so valiantly to overcome.
She detested it.
He rubbed his temple and let out a long sigh as he finally hung up.
"Ethan," she began cautiously, "what’s happening?"
He paused, as though he was considering how much to reveal to her. Then he ran a hand through his hair and moaned. "Something is moving."
Lily scowled. "What sort of motion?"
She saw something that made her stomach turn for the first time as Ethan’s eyes locked with hers.
I doubt it.
He stated, "We assumed Carlisle’s followers would disperse following his apprehension." "But they’re being held together by someone."
Lily’s fingers gripped her cup more tightly. "Who?"
Ethan gave a nod. Rumors of a new player have surfaced. Carlisle’s power vacuum is being filled by someone.
A shiver went through her body. "Who do we know?"
Ethan gave a headshake. "Not just yet. However, whomever it is, they are intelligent. They remain waiting in the shadows.
Lily took a deep breath. "What am I waiting for?"
Ethan’s face grew serious. "For the appropriate time to attack."
A Fresh Danger
Ethan got a message the next day that chilled him to the bone.
A moniker.
A location for meetings.
And a caution.
You’re not searching in the right place.
His thoughts were racing as he gazed at the words on the screen. Whoever sent this was very knowledgeable.
Worse?
Ethan had no idea he was participating in the game they were playing.
Lily saw the change right away. She crossed her arms and stood at the doorway of his study. "What is it?"
After a moment of hesitation, Ethan gave her the phone.
As she read the message, her face went white. "What is meant by this?"
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "It indicates that someone is observing us."
Lily felt sick to her stomach. "Observed?"
Ethan’s muscles tensed as he nodded. "And it indicates that whoever is responsible wants us to know."
Lily took a trembling breath and put the phone down. "So, what should we do?"
Determination blazed in Ethan’s eyes. "We attend the gathering."
Lily felt her heart thump. "Ethan—"
He extended a hand. "I must, Lily. I must listen to this individual if there is any possibility that they have answers.
Lily gave a headshake. "What if it’s a trap, too?"
A thin line formed between Ethan’s lips. "Then, I enter it ready."
She took hold of his hand and made him look into her eyes. "Then I’ll accompany you."
Ethan tensed. "No."
Defiance blazed in Lily’s eyes. "Yes."
"Lily—"
She firmly responded, "Ethan, I’m done hiding." We’re in this together, you told me. Therefore, we may either go together or not go at all.
Ethan studied her and let out a deep breath. Finally, he gave a nod.
"All right," he whispered. "We work together to accomplish this."
The Gathering
On the outskirts of the city, they came upon an abandoned warehouse. As they entered, their footsteps reverberated against the concrete floor, and the atmosphere was heavy with anxiety.
Ethan held Lily tight while he looked around the room, his body taut.
Then someone stepped out of the darkness.
A female.
She had an enigmatic countenance, was tall, and wore a sleek black suit. Her icy, calculating eyes, however, were what Lily found most striking.
They didn’t frighten her.
She was in charge.
Ethan’s body tensed up. "Who are you?"
The woman grinned. "My name is Vanessa."
Lily felt a knot in her gut. There was an eerie quality to her.
Ethan spoke in a chilly tone. "What brings us here?"
Vanessa’s head cocked. "Because Mr. Blackwood, you’re asking the incorrect questions. And that is risky.
Lily scowled. "What do you mean?"
Vanessa turned to look at her. You believe the narrative ended with Carlisle. However, he was only one component of the whole.
Ethan’s mouth clenched. "Then let me know who is in charge."
Vanessa laughed. "I wouldn’t be here if it were that easy."
Lily stepped forward. "So, why are you?"
Vanessa’s smile dimmed a bit. "Because you’re more vulnerable than you think."
Ethan balled his hands into fists. "Explain."
Vanessa let out a sigh. Carlisle has his detractors. Strong ones. And they view you as a problem now that he is gone.
Lily’s blood froze. "What sort of issue is it?"
Vanessa’s eyes grew gloomy. "The type that must be eradicated."
Ethan’s face remained fixed. "Who?"
After hesitating, Vanessa eventually said a name that chilled everyone in the room.
Alec Moreau.
The way Ethan’s face stiffened told Lily all she needed to know, even though she had never heard the word before.
She took hold of his arm. "Ethan?"
He tightened his jaw. "He is more awful than Carlisle."
Vanessa gave a nod. "And now? He has you in his crosshairs.
Lily’s throat tightened with breath.
Ethan had a deadly voice. "Allow him to come."
After examining him for a while, Vanessa let out a sigh. "I thought you might say that." Then she took a little flash disk out of her pocket. "Everything I know is in here. Make good use of it.
Ethan accepted it, his face inscrutable. "Why assist us?"
Vanessa smiled at him, knowingly. "Because my friend can occasionally be my enemy’s enemy."
Then she turned and vanished into the darkness without saying another word.
Grasping Ethan’s arm, Lily let out a shaky breath. "What does this mean, Ethan?"
Ethan’s face was inscrutable as he gazed down at the flash drive.
"It implies that this is not the end."
Lily felt a knot in her gut. "So, what should we do now?"
Ethan’s eyes were blazing with resolve as he met hers.
"Now?" His fist tightened.
"We prepare for war."