Flare of Promise (Asylums for Magical Threats 3)

Disgust flashed in Gio’s eyes. “They’re locked up and studied with little supervision and no education.”

Jaxton grunted. “Strange that seems to upset you when locking away elemental magic users such as your sister is completely fine.”

Gio met Jaxton’s eyes and didn’t so much as flinch at the anger there. “Keeping first-borns away from the world is for everyone’s safety. Besides, it’s the law. Keeping innocent children prisoner and not providing basic human rights is not only wrong, it’s illegal.”

Jaxton leaned forward and looked about ready to attack Giovanni. Only Kiarra’s hand on his arm stayed him. “Let’s not make this about me right now, Jaxton.” She turned her gaze to Gio. “Do you know more about the research than you’re letting on?”

Gio answered, “Yes.”

Kiarra nodded. “Good. Then you’re coming back with us. Neena should persuade you to work with us and we can help with the children. I’m sure that will go along with your strange sense of right and wrong.”

Gio’s face remained calm and collected. “Why should I help you? The worst you can do is kill me and I don’t think you’re capable of doing that, Kiki.”

This wasn’t Will’s fight, but the less bloodshed and restriction of information, the quicker they could solve the problem. Regardless of his thoughts on the AMT system, he was 100 percent behind freeing the non-first-born children. “Think about it, Gio. If you want someone to help stand up to your father, then these people are probably your best bet. Hell, they have magic and might on their side. If their crazy leader also possesses the abilities Millie claims, then we might be able to work out an end goal all of us can live with.”

Jaxton snorted. “I highly doubt it.”

Gio studied Will a second before answering, “You have much to gain from an alliance, but I don’t.”

Millie muttered, “Now who’s sounding like their maniacal uncle-slash-adopted-father?”

Anger flashed in Gio’s eyes, but vanished in the next second as he answered Millie, “Don’t pretend you’re so much better than me. We all have our reasons for doing what we’re doing.”

Millie scoffed. “Perhaps. But I wish to help people whereas you only want to help yourself.”

“I think you’re doing this to prove something. I don’t know what yet, but I’ll find out eventually,” Gio stated.

Millie buffed her nails against her chest and held them out. “Try your best, posh boy. You’ll only fail.”

Leyna jumped in. “It’s clear we’re not going to get anywhere with him during the helicopter ride. I say knock him out and deal with him later.”

Kiarra leaned forward. “Just one more question. Do you know that James Sinclair killed our parents?”

Gio frowned. “No, because that’s not true. They died in a car crash.”

Kiarra shook he

r head. “You’re wrong. He wanted me locked away, and you as his heir. He staged a car accident to kill our parents. There are several sources to prove what I’m saying is true.”

Gio’s voice was a little less firm as he answered, “I don’t believe you. My father is ambitious, but not a murderer.”

Kiarra shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. You will believe me eventually.” Kiarra looked to Leyna. “You can give him the second dose now.”

Will jumped in with one more question. “Wait—do you know who kidnapped my test subjects?”

Gio met his gaze. “No. But some of the staff were following the orders of some woman. Even though I was in the next room, I still felt compelled to follow her commands. Only once I plugged my ears with my fingers did I rid myself of the feeling and was able to escape.”

Kiarra and Jaxton shared another glance. Will looked to the pair. “What aren’t you telling us?”

Jaxton shook his head. “Not now. Help us with our mission and I’ll tell you more.” He moved his gaze to Leyna. “Give him the second dose.”

Leyna took out the second syringe, removed the stopper, and cleared the needle of air. “My pleasure.”

In one quick motion, she knelt next to Giovanni and injected the diluted rowan-berry juice. The action reminded Will of just how graceful and quick Leyna had become. Not that he wanted to encourage her drugging individuals on a regular basis, but maybe her grace would translate to other areas of her life.

Maybe, if they all survived the ridiculous mission in Hong Kong, he could find out exactly how.

A few seconds later, Giovanni’s eyes closed and his body slackened.