Page 674 of Coal Hearts

If they revealed how much they abhorred Victor.

If they exposed the lengths they’d go to in order to free Abby and Pen...we’re all screwed.

Luckily, Victor kept revelling in his monstrosity. “Yes, sell. And now for the fun part. Because I have an heir on the way and I’m not getting any younger, I have asked a very good friend—a man who I consider my protégé in so many ways—to be his guardian. If I don’t live long enough to finish his education, another will take my place. Henri.” Victor pointed at us in the shadows. “Come join me if you please. Come on now, don’t be shy.”

Henri swallowed a snarl.

He fisted my hand so hard my fingers went numb.

Then...without a word, he let me go, swatted away the fabric curtain, and stalked toward Victor. With a gravity-defying leap, he shot onto the stage and stood beside the sickest, vilest man I’d ever known. “You summoned.”

“You came.” Vic patted Henri’s cheek. “Such a good lad.”

Henri smiled.

It looked so genuine. So real.

But my heart saw past the lies and the truth beneath.

I saw how close Henri was to purging this entire night up.

How close he was to the end.

Peter threw all caution to the wind and wrapped his arm around my waist. Pulling me into him, he whispered, “You need to run, jaanu. I don’t know where, and I don’t know how, but...you really need to fucking run.”

Ben and Stewart turned to look at me.

Their eyes.

Their fear.

Peter was right.

The energy in this place was all twisted and wrong. Building, gathering, hissing and slithering...growing sharper and colder and—

“Henri.” Victor raised his glass. “You have continued to impress me these past few months. We have so much fun together, and...I truly mean it when I say I see myself in you. I see you growing into who you truly are. I see the man you will be when you’re finally free. So...just like I’ve taken it upon myself to push you along your journey, consider this my final push.”

Heavy anticipation filled the Great Hall.

Peter snagged my wrist and pulled me toward the exit.

I tripped and stumbled, all while I looked back and caught Victor’s noxious eyes. He waved. He chuckled. Four guards cut in front of us and stopped us in our tracks.

Henri stood frozen on the stage.

“You asked me for a lifetime membership?” Victor smiled at Henri. “Tonight, I will grant it. Your probational period is over, mon ami. I am ready to welcome you completely. And, in a show of good faith and to prove how grateful I am for your friendship, I won’t take all your money. We’ll split it. Fifty-fifty. Not only will you inherit my home, but you will also have the funds to look after my boy if need be.”

Peter stood panting beside me.

Prickles of terror stabbed down my legs.

The urge to flee grew stronger, stronger.

My heart stopped as Victor snapped his fingers at a waiter then pointed at Henri.

A glass of alcohol was placed into Henri’s slack hand.

It woke him up.