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close to the vicinity Graves Ngozi claimed for himself.
    Silviu had asked Eliasz about Graves, but only got vague answers of untrustworthiness. When he’d told the other man that Georgie was being forced to go, the look on his brother-in-law’s face had nearly stopped Silviu’s heart. Premonition beat at him. In that moment, Silviu had jettisoned his own plans and invited himself on the trip.
    Ileana leaned in close. “But do you—”
    “Hush.” He looked around the crowded airplane at the occupants preparing for the landing and their subsequent exit. Neither Eliasz Levy nor his father had the funds to maintain a private jet. “There are too many people around for us to have this conversation. I don’t know who we’re sharing our space with.”
    For the next hour, Silviu gritted his teeth, impatient to ask the questions he’d not yet been able to broach as the plane landed and he, his brother-in-law and sister waited around the baggage carousel for their luggage. Heathrow was a nightmare, people crowding close, lines stretching around corners, but eventually they found a little man holding a sign bearing the Levy name. It was unexpected and highly suspicious, but they climbed into the limo anyway.
    Silviu delayed speaking until the glass partition between driver and passengers was fully raised. For added security, he flicked his fingers and waited for the silencing spell to fill the back seat. “Eliasz, have you learned anything more of Graves Ngozi?”
    The man looked up, the fading evening light through the tinted windows catching on his blond hair and sparking eerily against his blue eyes. “What exactly do you want to know?”
    Silviu glanced at his sister, snuggled into Eliasz’s side and clutching his hand.
    “You’ve been on edge since we left your house, not letting go of Ileana’s hand the entire time. Are you worried about her?”
    Eliasz’s lips tightened. “I don’t know. I don’t like Graves and I don’t trust him. I’ve heard that he doesn’t always treat women well,” he looked down into his betrothed’s face, “so I plan to keep you in my sights, sweetheart.”
    Silviu shifted on the seat, trying to pinpoint the source of his misgivings. It wasn’t being an uninvited guest at the hastily thrown together Ngozi celebration. He could handle that easily. His disquiet came more from Georgie’s unexpected presence at the patriarchal party, and the reasoning behind it. “What about your talent? What secrets has the wind been telling you?”
    “Not much.” Eliasz shrugged. “I heard that Muso Ngozi will be there, which ought to prove entertaining for the rest of us. Hopefully not deadly.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “A rumor that I can’t pin down. According to the breeze, Muso and Graves had a serious falling out a decade ago. It also said something about a magic battle and the death of the former secondary branch leader.”
    “Muso killed him?”
    “I don’t think he was involved, but it’s not very clear. Apparently, Graves wasn’t supposed to be the leader. The heir disappeared shortly after the former secondary branch leader’s death, and Graves stepped in.”
    “Disappeared?” Cold fingers trailed over the back of Silviu’s neck, a warning he always tried to heed.
    Eliasz nodded, clearly concerned. “Gone without a trace, as well as his wife and daughter.”
    “Are they dead?”
    “I know the rightful heir is. The status of his family is in question.”
    Silviu eyed the other man thoughtfully. “Your talent has a bad habit of being inconsistent.”
    “Yeah, well, so is the breeze. My magic can only do so much, and if I’m not listening, who’s to say where the fault lies? What do I care about Graves Ngozi?” Eliasz shook his head. “Not a damn thing until Daniel decided Ileana needed to join the festivities.”
    There was no time left to delve into the subject. It was an inconveniently short drive from the airport to the Ngozi residence. Silviu