Read Online Breaker (Ondine Quartet Book 4) by Emma Raveling - Free Book Online
Authors: Emma Raveling
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sanctuary.”
“Safest place is always near elementals with money and power.”
“So why Haverleau? The other communities are all equipped with high levels of security —“
“How many communities you been to?”
The answer embarrassed me. “One. Rivellieu. They had excellent resources and security.”
“Rivelleu don’t count,” Holden scoffed. “New York’s a rich city and Marquisa Bessette was the best friend of the previous Governor. Their setup is better than any other community.”
“He’s right,” Julian spoke up. “Haverleau is probably the most secure place in the world right now.”
Holden narrowed his eyes. “Sean McKinley…no, John Gannon. Or was it Nick Giuliano? Oh wait, that’s right. Julian LeVeq, the Redavi chevalier. Hard to keep track of your lies.”
When Ian first arrived in Haverleau, Julian used Projection to infiltrate Holden’s group and gather intel on the nixes.
Clearly, that hadn’t ended well. Holden had done his homework before showing up.
Julian gave a mock bow. “At your service.”
A toothy grin flashed across Grady’s face. Will nudged him. He hastily adopted a more somber expression.
“You lied.” Cold accusation laced Tara’s voice. “You used us.”
Something that almost looked like regret flickered through Julian’s eyes. “I just showed you what you wanted to see.”
Her mouth tightened and she looked away.
“Trained demillirs with no aura and a Virtue." Holden raised his brow and looked at me. “And you wonder why we don’t trust elementals. But the lying chevalier agrees. Haverleau’s the most secure location. We want to stay.”
Tristan shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Holden eyed him warily. “Why?”
“I appreciate the courage it took for you to come here,” Tristan said. “But with Rhian’s passing and the discovery of the Shadow, the community is in a very fragile state. We’re already concerned about Mr. MacAllister’s safety —“
“I’m fine,” Ian protested.
Aubrey’s brow furrowed with concern.
“While I’m glad to hear he feels safe, I am not quite as convinced,” Tristan continued. “Bringing your group in now will place you in more danger, not less.”
Julian exhaled. “You want to kick them out?”
“Not at all. My suggestion is to provide safe sanctuary elsewhere. I will personally vouch for its security.”
Holden’s face turned flat and cold. “We’re not good enough for Haverleau?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.” Tristan held his gaze. “This is a temporary solution, not permanent. I’m asking you to wait just a little longer until Haverleau has calmed down enough to ensure your people won’t be in further danger.”
A long pause. I had the impression Holden was cycling through every possible option.
“We’re staying for the ceremony,” he finally said. “We’re not hiding from the Council.”
Tristan nodded. “You can stay at the Governing House until I arrange for a new location. That will make a strong statement of Kendra’s stance to both the Council and the community without compromising your safety.”
“I agree. On one condition.” I leaned in. “If you accept our help, you work for us. You work for me.”
Holden stiffened. “We don’t work for any—“
“Listen to me. Outside this room lies a community full of elementals who’d rather kill you than entertain your presence here for a second. The Warrior Prince has personally vouched for your safety. We will put our best men on you to ensure your protection. You have my word our people will put their lives on the line to protect you.”
A muscle in Holden’s jaw ticked.
“But if you’re serious about ending this war, about proving you’re not the same as Aquidae, you need to work with us.”
“You can trust her,” Ian said softly.
Holden studied him for a moment then directed his focus back to me.
Grady, Tara, and Will waited quietly while he made his
“Safest place is always near elementals with money and power.”
“So why Haverleau? The other communities are all equipped with high levels of security —“
“How many communities you been to?”
The answer embarrassed me. “One. Rivellieu. They had excellent resources and security.”
“Rivelleu don’t count,” Holden scoffed. “New York’s a rich city and Marquisa Bessette was the best friend of the previous Governor. Their setup is better than any other community.”
“He’s right,” Julian spoke up. “Haverleau is probably the most secure place in the world right now.”
Holden narrowed his eyes. “Sean McKinley…no, John Gannon. Or was it Nick Giuliano? Oh wait, that’s right. Julian LeVeq, the Redavi chevalier. Hard to keep track of your lies.”
When Ian first arrived in Haverleau, Julian used Projection to infiltrate Holden’s group and gather intel on the nixes.
Clearly, that hadn’t ended well. Holden had done his homework before showing up.
Julian gave a mock bow. “At your service.”
A toothy grin flashed across Grady’s face. Will nudged him. He hastily adopted a more somber expression.
“You lied.” Cold accusation laced Tara’s voice. “You used us.”
Something that almost looked like regret flickered through Julian’s eyes. “I just showed you what you wanted to see.”
Her mouth tightened and she looked away.
“Trained demillirs with no aura and a Virtue." Holden raised his brow and looked at me. “And you wonder why we don’t trust elementals. But the lying chevalier agrees. Haverleau’s the most secure location. We want to stay.”
Tristan shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Holden eyed him warily. “Why?”
“I appreciate the courage it took for you to come here,” Tristan said. “But with Rhian’s passing and the discovery of the Shadow, the community is in a very fragile state. We’re already concerned about Mr. MacAllister’s safety —“
“I’m fine,” Ian protested.
Aubrey’s brow furrowed with concern.
“While I’m glad to hear he feels safe, I am not quite as convinced,” Tristan continued. “Bringing your group in now will place you in more danger, not less.”
Julian exhaled. “You want to kick them out?”
“Not at all. My suggestion is to provide safe sanctuary elsewhere. I will personally vouch for its security.”
Holden’s face turned flat and cold. “We’re not good enough for Haverleau?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.” Tristan held his gaze. “This is a temporary solution, not permanent. I’m asking you to wait just a little longer until Haverleau has calmed down enough to ensure your people won’t be in further danger.”
A long pause. I had the impression Holden was cycling through every possible option.
“We’re staying for the ceremony,” he finally said. “We’re not hiding from the Council.”
Tristan nodded. “You can stay at the Governing House until I arrange for a new location. That will make a strong statement of Kendra’s stance to both the Council and the community without compromising your safety.”
“I agree. On one condition.” I leaned in. “If you accept our help, you work for us. You work for me.”
Holden stiffened. “We don’t work for any—“
“Listen to me. Outside this room lies a community full of elementals who’d rather kill you than entertain your presence here for a second. The Warrior Prince has personally vouched for your safety. We will put our best men on you to ensure your protection. You have my word our people will put their lives on the line to protect you.”
A muscle in Holden’s jaw ticked.
“But if you’re serious about ending this war, about proving you’re not the same as Aquidae, you need to work with us.”
“You can trust her,” Ian said softly.
Holden studied him for a moment then directed his focus back to me.
Grady, Tara, and Will waited quietly while he made his
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