by Livia Quinn
River’s mouth dropped open as he ran the man’s words over once again in his mind. He couldn’t have heard him right. Our father? What game was he playing? River had no siblings besides Tempe, though, he acknowledged, he didn’t know everything. He’d found that out when his father returned “from the dead” in March after River was kidnapped and his sister, who’d raised him since he was four, ended up in trouble with the law. He called it the big lie his parents told to make sure he and Tempe would be safe from their enemies; it was still a thorn in his side. Ever since, he’d longed for the close family they’d been before Dutch left. And this…being… claimed to be family?
“I don’t blame you, River,” said the cloaked man. “You are innocent—-somewhat—-though there is the unfortunate circumstance of your birth parents.”
Once again, River felt a tug on the invisible cord, that magical indicator between himself and a being who held him in thrall with a bartered wish. River’s eyes flew wide. With a sneer, the man said, “So. You recognize it’s my hold on you with that little wish our sister traded away. But there are no small wishes doled out in the family name, right? That single behest made me your master. As you know, I could wish for anything, a vault of gold, a country all my own, or… to destroy my strongest adversary.”
River was out of patience. A chill of dread caused him to lash out. “Who are you?”
The scars twisted as pale blue teeth appeared in an unfriendly grin. “You can call me Styx. I wish I could say I’m here for a family bash but—-actually, that might describe it perfectly. Just call it our last family reunion.”
River started forward though he didn’t have any plan in mind. His thoughts were whirling with the implications of what Styx had said. Our father… a family reunion… our sister. How could this be? His heart started pounding like a jackhammer; he was surprised Styx couldn’t hear it. Did he intend to call in the wish now? Was there anything River could do to stop him?
With a wave of one hand as if to say ‘ta-ta’, the other touching the necklace on his chest, Styx said, “Relax, little brother. I own you, and with this wish I finally have what I need to destroy our father. But on my terms.” Like a statue, he waited until that sank in.
He raised the cowl, obscuring his face again, “I’ll be in touch.”
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