Emma’s laughter comes to an abrupt stop. “Wait, look.”
I turn in time to see Aidan ready to step.
“Someone grab a camera,” August demands.
I release Emma’s legs and pull out my phone. “On it,” I announce, hitting record just before he takes his first real steps without falling.
Emma sits on my lap, leaning her head on my shoulder as we watch. Zoey stands and falls but doesn’t let it phase her.
The Bradford and Calloway stubbornness is alive and well.
“Rowan should be here for this,” she says wistfully as Zoey uses the couch to get up.
Humming my agreement, I kiss the side of her neck. “He should, and you know he would be if he could.”
Zoey falls again before her face sets into a scowl that screams Rowan, and I snort. Then she climbs back to her feet, holding on until she’s sure.
“I think she’s going to do it,” Karl murmurs next to us.
“There’s a package for you,” Reign says, and Zoey plunks down on her butt. The look she gives him screams retributions.
Laughing, I stop recording, put my phone on my leg, and then take the envelope from him.
“Who’s it from?” Liam asks, walking over with Aidan on his hip. August quickly follows with a sour-faced Zoey.
I flip it over and see a lavender-colored seal. It’s a skull wearing a jewel-filled crown. Emma stiffens at the sight.
“There’s an inscription,” I mutter, lifting the envelope closer to read it. “Per mortem vita nova regeneramur ex cineribus una ut.”
“Through death comes new life. We are reborn out of the ashes as one,” Emma mumbles.
I look up at her. “What?”
“Call the nanny,” is all Emma says before standing.
Tearing it open, I pull out a written note along with an invitation. I open the note and then read it for everyone to hear.
The Heirs of Calloway,
You have been tested and found fit to join. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, but you must understand that if you agree to move forward, life for you all will take a drastic turn.
You all have until the end of the month to make your decision.
Think wisely,
The Princeps
“Angel?” Karl questions, his face matching mine with a look of confusion.
“The invitation is to the Tribunal six months from now,” I read aloud.
August moves in front of her. “What’s going on?”
Emma spins to face us. She inhales a fortifying breath and then says, “It’s time. I’ll tell you everything.”
EMMA
“What do you mean you’ve been working with the Novus Ordo Seclorum?” Sebastian inquires.
This isn’t going terribly, but I didn’t think they’d repeatedly ask me the same questions.
Sighing, I repeat, “When I was in Colorado, I discovered my dad and grandfather were having meetings.”
August and Karl are the only ones who find this amusing. The rest of them scrutinize my breath like it will give them insight into how we arrived here.
“So, how did you get in contact with a major secret organization?” Liam asks.
“They actually reached out to me.”
It took almost half the day to get them to stop peppering me with questions. I smile at the memory of that conversation as I work to fix my hair. The loosely braided faux hawk shows my hair’s vibrant midnight indigo, lavender, and violet colors.
Pausing, I stare at myself in the mirror. The woman before me is far different than the one who stood here nearly three years ago. Physically, I look the same, but mentally and emotionally, I’ve grown, and the guys have been part of that growth.
“When were you going to tell us that you were in charge of the Novus Ordo
??/p>
-“
Guliana interjects, interrupting August. “NOS is just fine. Wouldn’t want you to have to keep saying the mouthful every time,” she jokes, peering across the table at them while I’m sitting at her side, trying to hide my smirk.
“The goal was always to have you sit in these seats with Emma at the helm,” Guliana continues. “But you all needed to be tested. The Fraternitas has been in turmoil for too long. Between the resurgence of the Filiae Bellonae and then the disgraced Senator Baker and Miss Davenport, there’s a need to revamp the leadership structure in Calloway.”
“Please be seated. We are about to begin.” Tamara’s voice booms through the room as I blink back into focus.
Karl snakes an arm around my waist. “You keep getting lost in your head, Angel,” he murmurs before bending and kissing the top of my head.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.