The Brotherhood

25

Somehow Kane found himself back in the same situation. Somehow he'd ended up waiting by Finley's bedside for her to wake up. Somehow he'd found a way to know fear like he'd never known before. Somehow Kane was supposed to get back to his duties as the Supreme Apparent while Fin laid here, possibly dying. Somehow Kane was supposed to not tear the world apart for letting this happen to her. 

Kane felt more than he saw someone enter the room. Kane didn't turn to see who it was. Somehow he just knew that if he turned around he would see his Supreme standing behind him. Kane didn't speak, he didn't say a single word. He was waiting. Waiting for the apology that he was owed because he'd been sent out onto patrols without all the information that he deserved to have. Waiting for the apology that Fin was owed because she was lying here completely defenseless because of him, because of the Mother. 

"I'm sorry Kane," Abel said quietly. Kane could barely hear the words. Abel had barely said them. 

"You'd better say that with your chest the next time you say it," Kane rumbled, "Otherwise, I might not believe you." 

"I'm sorry Kane," Abel said, louder this time, "I didn't know what it was. I had no idea the damage that it would cause. If I did, I wouldn't have sent you out there." 

Kane slid his gaze toward Abel. "And am I supposed to believe you?" 

Abel swallowed. Kane could see the fear blooming in his eyes. Kane didn't know what had put that fear there, but he was certain that whatever it was, Kane should be afraid of it too. 

"I don't know how to make you believe me, but it's the truth," Abel said, his voice wobbling slightly. 

Kane nodded once at Abel before turning his gaze back toward Finley. "I believe you, Abel." 

Abel huffed a powerful sigh. His voice still wobbled when he said, "She told me to kill her." 

Kane didn't think, he barely even heard Abel's words. He was suddenly standing with his fist wrapped around Abel's throat. Ethan burst into Fin's room, ready to do something it seemed. Abel held up a hand toward him, keeping him at bay. Kane wasn't sure why Abel kept Ethan away. He was pretty sure that he was about to kill Abel. 

"What did you say?" Kane asked in a voice he hardly recognized. It was the voice he only ever used when he was ready for the person in front of him to die. It seemed fitting that he use it now. 

Abel choked out his next words, gasping for breath, "I said, the Mother sent me to kill her. I didn't say that I would do it." 

It took a while for his words to register in Kane's mind. When they finally sank in, he released his hold on Abel. Kane stepped back as Abel found his footing again. Abel didn't take his eyes off of Kane. Kane couldn't blame him. If he was in Abel's position, he would do the same. Ethan sighed with relief. It seemed that no one believed that Kane was going to let Abel walk out of this room alive after his little announcement. 

"How are you going to stop the Mother from killing her?" Kane demanded, his voice gruff from disuse. 

"I don't know," Abel admitted, "That's why I came to you. I have no idea how to get around this order, Kane. She ordered me to deliver Finley's head to her. If I don't, then she'll take it herself. Or she'll take my head, which I'm not opposed to." 

Kane snorted. "If I was in your position, I'd probably feel the same way." 

"So what do you propose Kane? Because I'm out of ideas," Abel said, looking mournfully at Finley. 

Kane felt his gaze pulled toward Fin. He couldn't help himself. She was his true north. There was nowhere else for him to look. She looked awful. Her face was scratched up horribly and her skin was paler than he'd ever seen it. It made him want to hold her in his arms so that nothing could touch her except him. She would kill him if he ever told her that though. She would never hide behind him. 

"Could we hide her?" Kane asked tightly. "Can we give her someone else's head and hide Fin away?" 

Abel shook his head, "She would know. She'd be able to scent it." 

"What about an apology?" Ethan asked. "Would the Mother accept an apology from Finley? Do you think that would sate her rage?" 

Abel sighed deeply, "I don't think that's going to cut it this time." 

Kane turned to look at Ethan and Abel in turn. He made sure that he made eye contact with both of them. He wanted to make sure that his next words were understood clearly. If they weren't then he would have to kill the both of them. 

"No matter what happens, she doesn't die. If she dies, then I'll kill both of you. And if I have to, I'll kill the Mother myself," Kane promised them. 

Ethan's face paled, "I'd be careful how you talk about the Mother, Kane. Just because you don't like her doesn't mean that you can threaten her." 

"It's not a threat," Kane said with lethal quiet, "It's a promise." 

Abel shook his head, "Still Kane, you shouldn't talk like that. You never know who might be listening. If I die, then the rest of the brothers have to be willing to follow you. They won't be willing to do that unless you speak well of the Mother who leads them." 

Ethan looked ready to say something about Abel not dying, but Kane cut him off, "I promise that if you die, I'll make sure that the brothers follow me. I know that I may not have been your first choice of successor, but I'll make it count Abel." 

Abel nodded before heading for the door. He paused when he'd reached the exit. He turned and said, "There was never any other choice to make for successor. We don't get to choose who takes our place, Kane. The spirits of the forest decide. They decide everything. The Mother doesn't even get a say in it. The sooner you learn that, the better off you'll be. If I did get a choice though, it'd be you. You better deserve it. Otherwise, I'll have to kick your ass from beyond the grave." 

That was all Abel said before he turned to leave. Ethan followed him out the door and Kane was once again left alone with Finley. So Kane returned to his seat by her bed and planted himself there. He would stay there for as long as he needed to. Thinking that he would be able to go anywhere else was complete and utter foolishness. And Kane wasn't a fool, although he was almost certain that if anyone could make a fool of him, it would be Fin.