Page 99 of Depraved Boys

“A gentleman never hacks and tells. Leopold inclined his head. May we come in?”

I stepped aside and let them both in. Leopold’s fresh, summer scent filled my nostrils, and Sebastian’s masculine, cedar scent filled my heart. While Leopold gave my hand a little squeeze as he passed, Sebastian dipped his head as though in deep contemplation.

Peter, Stevie, and Anne stared at the pair in open-mouthed shock. A smile curled my lips. Even in their winter coats, the pair looked like fairytale princes.

I made the introductions and offered them seats on the sofa, while my cousins huddled together on my lap.

Sebastian swallowed. “Have your memories returned?”

A lump formed in my throat. “I can’t recall anything after you brought me back from the hideout.”

Leopold leaned forward. “What have the doctors said?”

I gave them a summary and explained that my memories might return in time. Something about that made Sebastian relax, but Leopold scowled. I suppose it was because Leopold seemed to be the most impatient of the pair.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I told them everything I could remember. While I struggled with the children squirming on my lap, Sebastian bowed his head. My insides clenched with apprehension. What was wrong with him?

Leopold turned to Sebastian. “Maybe you should tell her.”

He said, “You came to us that night, bleeding from a head wound.”

My hand flew to my temple. “What?”

“And Kash said the girls had attacked you in the morning,” added Leopold.

I clenched my jaw. “Was it because they wanted to change my decision to press charges?”

“He didn’t say why.” Leopold turned to Sebastian. “Is there anything else you want to tell Willow?”

Sebastian drew his shoulders up, bringing the collar of his winter coat around his ears. My stomach twisted with awkwardness. I’d forgotten to take their coats and offer them a cup of tea.

Pushing aside those thoughts, I leaned forward and fixed my gaze on Sebastian. If there was any light he could shed on that mysterious Monday, it might trigger a memory to help work out who had tried to murder me.

“Perhaps you’re right,” Sebastian muttered, “But—”

“What the fuck is going on here?” An exhausted-looking Aunt Hortense whispered.

“Mummy!” the children chorused.

Leopold and Sebastian shot out of their seats.

“Ashley, who are these boys?” she asked with more steel in her voice.

“Friends from school,” I replied. “They—”

“The same school where they perform deadly rituals?” Her eyes flashed. “You brought them into my home, w-with my children present?”

My shoulders slumped. Once she got an idea into her head, it was near impossible to get her to change her mind. Add that to the stress of having had unexpected surgery, and she was understandably furious.

“Aunt Hortense, Leopold and Sebastian aren’t like—”

“Get out,” she snapped in a voice as cold as winter. “And take your boys with you.”

After gathering my things, we piled into Sebastian’s jeep, and he drove along the vast expanse of land that separated Upperby and Cummersdale.

“Your aunt’s a bit of a bitch,” muttered Leopold.

“She isn’t usually this bad,” I replied. “Can you turn right at the next junction, please?”