Gilded Cage

Chapter Twenty-Two

That late at night, St. Bartholomew's Hospital was quiet. It was way past visiting hours, but Thomas had pulled some strings to get me in without having to submit to the hospital's rules.

"Nice room," I said, sitting on the chair beside his bed.

After the doctor had cleared his body from the drugs Albert had used on him, Thomas had been slowly recuperating and was about to be released any day now. They had given him a private room, with all the comforts and commodities he could need, and I wouldn't have expected any less from him. He was happy he was being treated like a prince; I was just happy he was okay.

"I'm sorry I didn't come last time."

It took a moment for him to understand what I was referring to. I saw the moment the realisation hit him. His eyes widened just a fraction, but he just smirked and waved a hand nonchalantly.

"Oh. Pff. It's been ten years. Who cares."

"I do."

Thomas' grin faltered. He cleared his throat and said, "Ehm... since we're in the mood for apologies... Alexi called me earlier and told me about Christian. I'm so sorry, Ben."

After our emotional exchange at the pub, Alexi had asked me if I wanted to go to the cemetery with him to visit Christian's grave. I thought it would be better for him to go alone, just this once, to say a proper goodbye.

"Thank you, Thomas."

"You should've told me. I mean, I understand why you didn't but... I wouldn't have mentioned him if I knew."

"You can mention him all you want. I won't crumble to the ground every time someone says his name. We all loved and lost him. We're allowed to remember him."

Thomas nodded, lowering his eyes just a second before hitting me with one of his mischievous smiles. "So, you and Alexi made up?"

I shrugged. "I guess. But I don't want to talk about him now."

"Urgh. Party pooper."

"Why don't you tell me how the fuck Albert got a hold of you, instead?" I asked. It was something that had been bugging me since the day at the farmhouse.

"Alexi wasn't giving him any name," Thomas explained, "so Albert decided to hide outside his house to see if someone showed up. Fucking creep."

"He saw us going in."

Thomas nodded. "When he did, he must have assumed we were there for him and waited until we went separate ways. He followed me and took me before I could get to the Ritz."

"Wait. It doesn't make sense. How could he be sure you had something to do with the ritual, if Alexi didn't give him our names?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Mate, the man was batshit crazy. I guarantee you; he saw enemies everywhere. I don't think he cared if he got the right person or not."

I didn't want to think what could have happened if I didn't get there in time. Alexi didn't want to tell me the specifics of how Albert had tortured him, but I saw his wounds. It must have hurt. Badly. I had no idea how he had endured that kind of pain for so many days, but just imagining the ways he had been abused by some crazy person for the fun of it made my blood boil. I wished Albert was still alive so I could make him suffer like he deserved.

"You look like you ate a lemon. Tell Uncle Tom what troubles you."

I sighed. "Alexi came to me this morning and told me we should finish what Albert started."

"Mm."

"What do you think I should do?"

Thomas gave me a pointed look. "I think you've already decided."