Katie's Hope

"The statues are beautiful," she managed. "It's hard to imagine Rhyn as a child."

"He was cast out of the Immortal world fairly young. None of us know-- or care-- where he went, except Andre, who saw something in him that-- to this day-- never materialized."

Her face grew red at his easy dismissal of his youngest brother. Her gaze settled on the statue of Rhyn, whose large eyes held an ominous look too old for his chubby little face.

"How can you be like this, Kris?" she asked, unable to stop the angry words. "You take great precautions to safeguard Toby, and yet, you rejected your own brother?"

"Someone like you could never understand."

"You're right, Kris, I can't understand how you could turn your back on the person who needed you most and justify it with your shortsighted arrogance. I pray to God Hannah doesn't choose you as a mate!"

"I believe she already has," he said, irritation in his voice. "Rhyn was a lost cause from the beginning. Our own father wanted him dead. I'm sworn to protect Toby, and I've done my duty in protecting Sasha, who is also my brother, according to the Code and the oaths I swore to my father and the Council!"

"You chose the wrong side, Kris. If you had half a brain, you'd have helped Rhyn and killed Sasha."

"I do what I am obligated to do, and that's all that should concern you," he said through gritted teeth. "I won't have some stupid mortal telling me how to do things!"

With all the insults and arrogance, she couldn't take her mind off the statue of Rhyn and her sister being at the mercy of such a man.

"I'm going to tell you a secret someone told me, Kris," she said, facing him. "Do you know why Rhyn killed Lilith?"

He stared at her.

"Yes, I know the story," she said. "It was revealed to me by someone you trust when I was at the Sanctuary a few weeks ago. Lilith was trying to destroy the Council. She was a plant by the Dark One who lured you and probably the rest of your brothers into bed. Rhyn killed her to protect you, Kris. You owe him your life. He's the most flawed of anyone I've ever met, but he's a more honorable man than you'll ever be!"

He crossed the distance between them in three strides and slapped her hard. Pain flared through her. She touched the blood that bubbled at the side of her mouth.