Chapter TWENTY-SIX

DESTINY

“Marat, welcome home!” a loud voice boomed from the top of the opulent staircase.

I clutched Marat’s hand and felt his responding squeeze all the way to my toes as we walked up the stairs towards a man who could only be his brother. Marat released me to embrace him, and I stood to the side and waited.

“Hello, you must be Destiny,” the man said, his voice revealing a trace of an accent I’d never picked up from his brother.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Adrik,” I said, wondering if I should offer my hand, but settling on not when he made no move to touch me.

“Come. Zaika moya is beside herself to meet you, but little Michaela needed changing,” he explained and turned, leading the way inside.

“How was the trip, brother?”

“Good. Josef has the award. He’ll bring it to the office tomorrow.”

“Where is Josef?” I asked, wondering where the bearded man had disappeared to.

“He’s checking in with the security team, but he will join us to eat,” Adrik explained.