Page 80 of Eternal Surrender

“Don’t go back there,” Marcus said. “This thing, whatever it is, sounds crazy.”

Jacob stared at me as though judging my reaction to that.

Marcus grabbed Jacob’s arm and yanked him round. “You knew all this time where Sunaria was and not once did you tell us.”

“It wasn’t my decision,” Jacob said, easing Marcus’s hand off. “Snowstrom thought it best⁠—”

“And how does Orpheus feel about his son betraying him?” Marcus asked me.

“Am I really going to end up looking like Paradom?” I asked, almost choking on fear.

“Who told you that?” Marcus asked. “That unbalanced creature?”

“You’re not helping,” I snapped at Marcus.

Jacob turned his back on Marcus and faced me. “We’re doing everything we can to prevent the same thing from happening to you.”

“Tell me you’re not serious,” Marcus said.

“I don’t know what to believe.” I ran my fingers through my hair, fighting the panic rising in my gut. “Paradom mentioned there was a plan?”

Jacob cleared his throat. “Yes, the plan is to separate you.”

I paused, trying to read Jacob. “Apparently Paradom believes the Stone Masters have the scrolls.”

Jacob opened his hands. “Paradom’s unreliable.”

“Then why did you want me to see him?” I asked. “You literally told me where to find him.”

Jacob’s careful face changed. “William, you know why.”

My throat tightened. “So that I’d want to revert. Want to separate.”

“Exactly,” Jacob said.

“Do you have any idea how frustrating it is talking with you?” I asked.

“Lucas is working hard on your issue,” Jacob said. “I understand your frustration, William.”

“Jacob,” Marcus interrupted, his face flushed with anger. “I was the one who reunited you with your father, four hundred years ago. You owe me.”

“What’s your point, Marcus?” Jacob seethed.

Marcus pointed to me. “He’s standing right in front of us resembling nothing of Orpheus. Why is everyone so slow to help him when time is a major issue?”

Jacob steepled his fingers, clearly trying to remain composed. “Catherine and I are striving to save the lives of vampires everywhere,” he said. “We’re investigating vampire deaths, trying to find the cause before it wipes us all out.”

Marcus snapped back to me. “Notice how you’re not the priority.”

I faced Jacob again. “This reunion is all very cozy, but why did you even come here?”

Jacob raised his eyebrows thoughtfully. “I thought Marcus might like to see his sister again.”

Marcus sucked in his breath. “Rachel?”

“I believe I owe you that much,” Jacob said.

“Where is she?” Marcus’s voice broke with emotion. “I haven’t seen her in over fifty years.”