Whispers of Betrayal by Madeline Freeman

Author:Madeline Freeman [Freeman, Madeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Laurealinde Publishing LLC

Chapter Sixteen

The chancellor’s shadowy advisor got his way. Nate and the Brookses were on hand to meet the ambulance that transported Clio from the hospital to the mansion. Bridger, Thor, and I were there, too, but Sheldon instructed us to stay inside. He claimed it was so that the medics wouldn’t be bothered by having too many people milling about, but I was sure the real reason had to do with guaranteeing the photographers posted outside the gates got a good shot of Nate bending over Clio’s stretcher.

To my knowledge, his father didn’t coach him on how to behave or tip him off that he would have an audience. The sweet gestures I glimpsed through the foyer windows were all Nate—from the way he brushed some hair away from Clio’s face to the way he lifted and squeezed her hand as her parents took turns kissing her forehead. He genuinely missed her. We all did.

Although the live-in nurses allowed all the Keepers into Clio’s room as soon as she was settled, they made it clear that this would be the only group visit permitted. Besides Clio’s parents, we could come in one at a time from then on.

The press conference that night was exactly what Sheldon described it would be. The chancellor gave vague details about Clio’s condition, called the Brookses to stand beside him for the photo op, and then allowed Nate to speak on behalf of the Keepers. That time, I was sure Kingston had pulled his son aside beforehand, because Nate used the word fiancée three times and spoke of the rest of the Keepers only in passing.

I thought about telling the guys about what I overheard the chancellor and his advisor discussing, but I didn’t want to give any of them the impression I made a habit of eavesdropping on private talks.

Our group fell into a routine of mealtimes and training and visiting Clio. Although we never discussed it, we each claimed a time to spend a longer stretch with her. Mine was before breakfast. The first morning, I tried my best to carry on a one-sided conversation, but my attempts quickly fell flat. The next day, I found a tightly folded newspaper sitting on the small table beside the visitor chair by the bed. Not wanting a repeat of the awkward first visit, I unfurled the paper.

“Okay, Clio. Let’s find out what’s going on today.” I snorted softly at the headline above the fold. “‘Keepers Reunited: Ignis Blade Keeper to be treated at Chancellor’s mansion.’ Well, that’s not news to us, is it?” My heart lurched as I unfolded the paper to reveal one of the candid shots of Nate with Clio as she was being wheeled into the house. He leaned over her stretcher, his fingers near her temples. While I knew there was nothing romantic in the touch, it would be easy for someone to read such amorous emotions in to the tender gesture. I scanned the article, looking for anything that might

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