The Knight (Stolen Duet 2)

He toddled around a bend of bushes and quickly disappeared from sight. I sped to catch up at the same time I heard the unmistakable sound of leaves being crushed. We had ventured deep into the garden because Caylen found everything fascinating, and now I was regretting that decision when it became apparent we weren’t alone. When I spun around to see who was following me, I was met with thin air. Still, I searched the area, and when I didn’t see anyone, I turned back and rushed down the path. I grew desperate, and my heart pounded faster each second he remained out of sight.

“Caylen?”

I was screaming his name by the time I rounded the third bend and came to a screeching halt when I found him. At the end of the path just before the last bend, I found him sitting on the stone path and crouched next to him was Andrew. His smile felt like acid on my tongue. I rushed forward drawing their attention. In Caylen’s fist were pieces of the golden leaf he had chased. The brittle leaves must have crumbled when he caught it, which explained the fresh tears on his cheeks.

“Something seems to have upset the little guy,” Andrew greeted when I stood in front of them. I didn’t hesitate to lift Caylen from the ground and back away. “Whoa,” he pleaded when he sensed my panic.

“Stay away from us,” I warned when he followed.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Then why were you following us?”

He stopped and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t.”

“Bullshit. I heard you.”

“I wasn’t following you. I swear. Your son found me not the other way around.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Look.” He gestured with his head since his hands were still shoved deep in the pocket of his jeans. I stopped moving and forced my attention off the path near a low hedge where a gray stone bench was positioned. Lying on the flat surface was a well-worn book.

Reluctantly, my gaze returned to him, and I hoped my embarrassment didn’t show on my cheeks. “Sorry.”

He chuckled as he bounced on the tips of his toes. “Want to tell me why you’re on edge?”

“I told you. Someone was following me.”

His condescending smile stretched. “This is a big place on a very large property. There are servants and people who work the grounds all over this place. They know how to work and stay hidden, so I assure you we’re never alone.”

“Look, I said I’m sorry.”

“And I accept your apology.” His smile only grew, but it didn’t feel harmless.

“Whatever.” I turned to leave when his voice stopped me.

“Please don’t leave on my account. I didn’t mean to upset you, and I’m sure if my cousin knew I had scared you, it wouldn’t end well for me.”

Against my better judgment, I didn’t leave. I turned and set Caylen on his feet, but captured his hand when he tried to move back to his crumbled leaves. He didn’t seem bothered by Andrew’s presence, so I told myself I didn’t need to be.

“Why would Angel hurt you? You’re his family.”

His eyebrows rose. “We aren’t the typical kind of family.”

“What kind of family are you?”

He seemed to mull it over. “Competitive.”

“You mean deadly. I know what your family is all about, so to answer your question, that is why I’m on edge.”

Andrew simply sighed and lowered his long thin frame on the bench. “I was named after my grandfather. He was a gentle man. My father loved him, but he didn’t respect him. We’re not all monsters, you know.” He picked up the book as his gaze met mine. “But my cousin? He’s the scariest of us all.”

“Are you trying to turn me against him?”

“No.” He smiled again. “Scary is good. It keeps the others at bay.”

“Except your father.”

“My father is a foolish man.”

“You’re not on his side?”

“If I had a choice?” He shook his head and studied the bushes on the other side of the path. “No. I wouldn’t be.”

“And why is that?”

“My father doesn’t just want Angel’s power. He wants to kill him.”

“I didn’t realize you and Angel were close.”

“We aren’t, but my cousin has never wronged me.”

“Your father doesn’t seem to hold that same sentiment. Sins of the father and all that.”

He looked at me then, studying me. “How much do you know?”

“Not much,” I lied. If Andrew told me the same story as Angel, then it meant two things: Angel was telling the truth, and I might have an ally in Andrew.

“Alexander was my third great-grandfather. He started this legacy to help us prosper, but it’s only driven us into wanting to kill each other for the right to control it. After Adam had died of consumption, Alexander tried to fill his father’s shoes but found them too large.”

“What do you mean?”