Read Fratricide, Werewolf Wars, and the Many Lies of Andrea Paddington Page 28

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  James Paddington thought to make demands of them? Did he truly expect Adonis would allow that? Allow himself to be ordered around by a defiant demon who refused to fulfil his purpose?

  There was only one course of action: prompt him. Push him. Show him the consequence of disobedience. Of arrogance. Of thinking he could demand of them. Adonis had lived too long and worked too hard to fail now. If any stood against the wisdom of the Three-God, they would die.

  Unfortunately, the only other clear shot into the house was of Mrs Paddington and she was necessary for after the prophecy.

  Nonetheless, would that she could have been spared being here. He had tried: offered her shelter from witnessing what her husband would do. A pity she had not accepted.

  Adonis shook away the thoughts and refocused his attention on his family. From the front of the house, he could see three spread out in the foliage and rooftops, waiting for another target. Ah, no, only two had rifles; Leander had dropped his and was now rubbing his shoulder and wincing.

  No more shots had sounded; those inside the house were avoiding the windows. Would they try to wait him out until sunrise? Adonis was in no rush. His daughters were safe enough with these brutes for a few hours. Truman would never allow torture and Paddington was more bark than bite.

  The chief chose that moment to throw open the front door and yap into the wind, sword in hand. “Is this your war?” He couldn’t see them, so he shouting at random shadows. “What had Rob done to you? What? He’d obeyed your orders! He’d worshipped in the churches you’d constructed to your ridiculous Gods! He bought your lies with every penny he ever earned! He was a good little peon!”

  What did he hope to accomplish with this rant? Empathy? It wouldn’t sway Adonis, but he couldn’t say the same of all of his children; he had been forced to keep secrets from them for their own good. Was their faith equal to this attack?

  Paddington tired of shouting at the dark and lowered his sword. “Did you know, I’d been speaking loudest in your defence?” He put the sword back in its sheath. “Three-Gods help you now.”