Chapter 3
The greenhouse was peaceful. None of the rest of the family cared about plants the same way Zachary did, and if he wanted to get away from everyone it was the best place to be. He hummed to himself as he watered, thinking about new plants, ignoring everything else.
Thaddeus watched his eldest. Of the three he was the least like either of them, Titus closer to Thaddeus and Anne closer to Marion. Zachary was his own person, making him the best one to talk with Dante, who’d been watching the whole time. He was the smartest of the Fitzgeralds.
If Zachary was able to feel eyes on him he didn’t react. Whatever the reason for Thaddeus being there he’d eventually say something, although it was likely nothing. Thaddeus would be looking for Titus, the best of the three siblings, as he was the most like their father.
It would be up to Thaddeus to break the silence. The right words were important, because there were so many complications, but if anyone could get Dante to give the Lockwoods a chance it was Zachary. He was the least dangerous of the family, apart from maybe Finn.
“Zachary, can we talk?”
“About what, Father?”
Still focused on the plants, they actually needed him, Zachary didn’t look at Thaddeus. Maybe he should have.
“Dante Fitzgerald.”
“What about Dante?”
They all knew about the Fitzgeralds, the new blood, and new magic, due to Thaddeus.
Thaddeus watched Zachary. “You know what the plan is. I need all the Fitzgeralds here if it’s going to work out the way it should, and Dante… he’s the one least likely to walk through the door on the night.”
“Maybe you should have thought of that before.”
“Zachary….”
Thaddeus took a moment to settle his emotions. “I understand I didn’t make the best decisions at the time. Hence needing your help. You know I don’t often ask.”
“No, you don’t.” Although not for the reasons he was implying. “Why me, Father?”
“You’re the best person for the task.”
“I’m the least threatening.”
“This will be an easier conversation if you aren’t focused on the plants.”
“Will it?”
“Please. All I’m asking for is five minutes. Then you can get back to what you’re doing. I know how important this is to you, and I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“For never being the father you needed me to be. I see things differently now.”
Did he? Thaddeus was talking more to the statue in the middle of the room, but maybe it was enough.
“Tell me about Dante.”
“He has good reason not to trust us. It’s not as though I wasn’t lying.”
“I need to convince him otherwise.”
“Dante is different to the rest of the family. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he’s special in a way they aren’t.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better if he wasn’t here?”
“No, because he’s the strongest of them too. It’s his power I need most.”
“I’ll do this, if you really believe it’s necessary, but they could be useful in other ways.”
“This is our chance, Zachary. We’ve been working toward this for too long.”
“Father…”
“Whatever argument you may want to have is one I’ve probably already had with Issac.”
It wasn’t a surprise Issac was against the ritual. The books came from Grandfather Tyrell, a man who seemed to care more about power than his own children… which was so similar to the man standing in front of Zachary.
“You want immortality that much?”
“For all of us.”
“All of us?”
“Yes, Zachary. The plan is to use the power to make all the Lockwoods immortal.”
“Even Uncle Issac’s?”
“Issac isn’t going to set foot in this house the night of the ritual. That was something I knew the moment I brought it up with him.”
“Why say anything?”
“I still thought there was a chance I might be able to convince him to work with me. Issac is Marion’s brother. Whatever issues I might have with her I still love her. I always have.”
“Hence the marriage.”
“Your grandfathers thought it would be good for both of us.”
“Let’s get back to Dante. You think I’m going to be able to convince him to join the rest of the Fitzgeralds?”
“Titus isn’t the right person to talk to him, and Anne… well, I think she might have said enough already. What he knows he’s learnt due to her, and Matthew.”
“Anne talks to Matthew, and Matthew talks to Dante. I did tell you it was important to keep Anne close.”
“I have tried. Anne is stubborn, like the rest of us.” Thaddeus smiled. “I’m not angry with her for what she did. Talking to someone she likes is normal.”
“Then I need to get Dante to come for a reason that has nothing to do with you.”
“If you think that would work best.”
“You aren’t going to argue.”
“No, Zachary, because I trust you to do this right. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t believe in you.”
Unusual words for Thaddeus, who’d never once trusted Zachary before. Maybe he really was different.
“I’ll do what I can, Father, but I can’t make any promises. Dante may still not come.”
“However it works out I know you’ll have done your best. That’s all I can ask of you.”
They were easy words to say, and if they got Zachary to do what needed to be done they’d be worth it. At least it was one issue partially dealt with. The next might be more complicated, because there was no possible way Issac wasn’t going to say anything to Marion.
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