Alex’s POV
I didn’t know how I managed to stall him, it was five o’clock in the evening and I had finally gotten to the small room in the servants quarter.
I heard movements from inside the room and I tapped anxiously on the ground. The guards had gone to assist him outside (just for the plot) and I turned around to face the jarred door.
I heard footsteps from behind me and I turned again.
“You look a mess.” I muttered as he walked towards me, he ate well, drank well and even slept well but I didn’t give him a change of clothes or let him take a shower and that was just for the plot.
“I chose the day to look like you. Is my brother here?” He asked, it appeared like he was half expecting his big brother, ice to be hovering behind me with his looming glare.
“No. You didn’t tell me he was an ice sculpture, I was sort of thrown off balance when I got the memo that I was to outwit him. His eyes are telling.” I responded and leaned on the door.
“You didn’t ask me to liken him to water mass.” He responded dryly and I stood up straight.
I folded my hands on my chest and nodded for the guard to bring him closer, when he did, I leaned in and met his eyes.
“If you so much as have another plan of motive. Remember you’re in my territory and I lord over my territory, I will get you.” I said and he rolled his eyes.
“Let’s go already!” He groaned and brushed off the guards hands from his shoulders, he had a frown on his face and I observed him. He seemed put together, but I was sure he hated his brother so much, it was so clear and he was unable to even hide it.
We climbed up the steep stairs, I was conscious of the unstable steps and when we hit the landing I bent over and dusted my shoes.
I stood up straight and turned to look at Jeremy as he squinted, he hadn’t seen light for the past two days so it was expected.
“Bartimaeus, we don’t really want to unnecessarily delay. I need to get this over with, I have an unsolved issue to fix before the night goes by.” I muttered allowing my thoughts to stray to a certain dark haired damsel.
“Who the hell is Bartimaeus?” Jeremy asked and I grunted, allowing my brain to search for the specific place I had heard the name.
“It’s a guy that was blind, he was healed by the christian God.” I responded.
Lampard opened the door just as we got there and I walked in first.
“Unlikely.” Langdon’s voice rang from where he had been seated before I left. “I almost began to think you were lying to me and the sly fox wasn’t in your custody after all.”
I watched the hate seep into Jeremy’s expression and left just as quickly.
“Hello brother,” he grounded and I was a little amused having to watch two brothers at odd ends. It was a rare sight to me and the closest to a brother for me was Jason and I didn’t even know where he was.
Freddy moved forward and I signaled for the guards to release his grip on Jeremy. I didn’t want either brothers at a disadvantage, I wanted to analyze who was the intimidator and who the intimidated was and so far it looked to be the older brother.
“You look a mess.” He said icily and I could swear Jeremy turned pink, it was hard to know with all the dirt that was on him.
He looked pathetic enough and it seemed his brother found it easy to believe he was held hostage.
“I’ve heard that already. Any other thing?” He asked him and I was disappointed, it wasn’t a hard blow back. He could have said something like ‘at least I’m not an ice sculptor’
I was having unusual fun with this.
“It’s quite pathetic that 7 years have passed and when I do get to see you again you look like a pathetic junkie that has been held hostage for most of his youth years. Seems like you have.” Ice brother said and it was sincerely the longest run of words I have heard him said.
“I guess being locked up for seven years is way better than being stuck with you and your bad decision making techniques.” Jeremy responded and it wasn’t even a clap back, it sounded like he really meant it. Like it was a fact.
“Whatever makes you feel better. Alpha Duval wants us to join him for tea, he insists the dirt adds to the flavor. Let’s catch up,” he added and led the way to ‘my’ dining hall.
I could only watch him carry on, this time he didn’t sit on the chair. I settled on it and leaned back watching them prattle away, Jeremy had his plans and so did Freddy’.
I also had my plans and theirs were going to crash for mine to fly.
We sipped lukewarm tea in silence as we all warily watched each other with a subconscious, sign languages were flying from both angles and I was gracefully responding to them.
Perhaps, I was going to need backup?
“So what are you saying, Duval. I want my brother back,” he said out of the blue and I fought the crazy urge to turn to Jeremy and ask him what exactly his brother’s problem was.
Was it a mental issue? Bipolar maybe?
“I can’t just let him go. You know it’d be dumb to just let you both go,” I said with a wry smile, I was no longer in a humorous mood. Rather I was tapping into the darker parts that existed beneath those layers that smiled too often.
“I’m not totally sure that decision is in your hands.” Freddy clapped back and I wanted to laugh.
“It cannot be me you lots are bargaining on!” Jeremy exclaimed and I saw how much of a younger brother he was, though bigger.
Freddy was happy to ignore him. “What do you want?”