Created in Chaos (Corrupt Credence Book 2), page 9
I make myself busy eating more crackers and cheese to hopefully go unnoticed. Lucian doesn’t have the same compunction. “What do you want, old woman?”
“To die peacefully, but I bet you’ll find some way to ruin that.” She huffs, but there doesn’t seem to be any real heat behind her words.
“Don’t talk like that,” Lucian snaps, casting a quick glance at his brother, who seems to be pretending everything is normal. A strange feeling of foreboding twists in my stomach that I don’t understand and like even less.
“Oh, leave me alone, I’m teasing,” she grumbles. “I plan to haunt your children.”
“Children?” I mouth in outrage to Nox, including him because it feels important. He rolls his eyes and shrugs.
“Our children won’t be frightened of you any more than we were,” Lucian crows.
“Uh-huh,” she replies placatingly, as if she disagrees with his claim. “Your men are lumbering around in the anterior room. Deal with them before I put them to work,” Gertrude rebukes, then leaves the room as abruptly as she arrived.
Lucian places his phone on the table and examines the screen. “See what you do? You drive me to distraction. I missed these texts.” He waves his hand at his phone as if I’m really to blame.
“I can’t help that you’re obsessed with me. That sounds like a you problem.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. It is most definitely a we problem.” He rises from the table, taking his phone with him. “Let’s go see what they want.”
I glance over at Nox, wondering why I let myself get distracted by Lucian. We should have been talking about the secret meeting instead of mucking about, and now they are both leaving.
When my chair gets yanked back, my arms flail around as my balance shifts. “What the heck?”
“You didn’t think I would leave you here all alone to miss us, did you?”
I look up to see Lucian looming over me with a smirk.
He grabs my throat, pulling my head back even farther. “I can’t let you out of my sight. Obsessed isn’t a big enough word to describe the way I need to possess you.” He presses his lips against mine, the kiss hard and punishing, and I wonder if it’s because of what he just admitted.
I feel slightly off-kilter as we make our way to the front foyer. The floors are marbled with red, black, and white, creating a macabre scene, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. There are four men filling the vast space dressed in black pants and shirts, but that’s where the mundane ends.
They are older than us by ten years at least and grizzled in a way that makes me think they are soldiers of some sort, but that could just be their rigid stance and features making me think that. I instantly feel out of my depth. Are these the same men I’ve seen patrolling the grounds? I don’t know if that makes me feel safer or not.
“You have something to report?” Lucian asks, seeming completely comfortable in front of the men.
“The Umbras have sent a steward to the gate, requesting to speak with Miss Devlin.”
“Have they now?” Lucian questions softly.
“He said he’s been authorized to negotiate for her release,” the same man continues. Nox drapes his arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side.
“Who did they grant such authority?” Lucian seems more than mildly interested.
“The traitor.”
I glance up at Nox, not really needing the confirmation of who I think it is but wanting it anyway. He gives me a tiny nod, as if he assumed my unasked question about Alden.
“Go tell him that I might come out when I tire of fucking his charge.”
I shove Lucian’s side, but he doesn’t budge. “Do not tell him that,” I implore, though I have no reason to believe this guy will listen to anything I say.
“You don’t have to worry, lamb. It would never happen.”
I turn my furious gaze on Lucian, unable to even form words, but he must see something in my eyes, because he lifts his hands in a small move of surrender and says, “There will be no negotiations. They couldn’t take care of her, but we will.”
“I’ll relay your message. If he tries to press the issue?”
“Then press right back.” Lucian bares his teeth in a mockery of a smile.
NOVA
When we return to the kitchen, our lunch is already cleaned up and Gertrude is nowhere to be seen. I break away from the guys and head back toward the room we’ve been using. Their scent envelops me when I push through the door, but I don’t allow it to distract me. My eyes scan the space, looking for the phone I had last night, and I find it on the bedside table.
When I pick it up, I expect to see missed calls or texts, but the screen is empty. I unlock it and check my logs, but there’s nothing to find.
“What’s wrong?” Nox asks, entering the room.
“If they wanted to speak to me, why didn’t they try to call me? Have they tried calling you?” I face the door.
“Several times,” Lucian confirms.
“You didn’t tell me?” That bothers me for some reason, like he’s keeping me in the dark.
“I didn’t think it was important. Did you want to speak with them? You could have at any time. You’ve had your phone,” he reminds me.
What he said is true, but it still feels manipulative, though I can’t explain why. “They haven’t called me in a while.” I sound defensive, but the truth is, I haven’t called them. I’ve been content within my little Morningstar bubble. It’s easier than dealing with all the crap going on.
“They probably think we’re holding you hostage.” Nox tugs on me as he walks by, pulling me to sit on the bed next to him. “We’re not, right? You want to be here?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be,” I reply, but the truth is if they wanted to keep me here against my will, there’s not much I would be able to do to stop them, other than throw a fit.
“I know, but it’s good to hear you say it.” He kisses my temple before leaning back on his palms. “Sending Alden over here is just the first step. They aren’t going to give up.”
“I’m surprised it took them this long to get off their asses.” Lucian snorts with irritation.
“Should I go talk to them?”
“No!” they chorus in unison.
“Why? What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” Lucian supplies quickly.
“Seems like it to me.”
“What if they won’t let you leave?” Nox offers. “You’re the only option for the Umbras to have a future.”
“They could and would do anything to keep their name alive,” Lucian finishes.
“How do you know?”
“Because I would do the same,” he answers honestly.
The sinister forewarning turns my stomach, but I don’t know if it’s because I’m worried about what the Umbras might be capable of, or if it’s because I know exactly what the Morningstars are.
“We won’t let them use you, Nova,” Nox states, as if sensing my unease, but the feeling doesn’t abate.
“What should I do then? I can’t stay holed up here forever.”
“Sure you could. Just think of how wonderful it would be if all you did was live to please us.” I think Lucian’s comment is made in jest, but with him, I can never really tell. I don’t think his mind works like mine.
“Why don’t you call them and see what they have to say?” Nox reasons before curling on his side to stare at me.
“Put it on speaker.”
“And if I don’t want to?” I challenge Lucian. He slips his heavily tattooed hands into his pockets as if he’s completely at ease.
“I enjoy indulging you, lamb, but don’t push me on this, not when it comes to them. Pick another battle.”
I almost don’t want to call now—heck, I didn’t want to call in the first place—but his insistence only hardens my stance. “Indulging me,” I mock. “When have you indulged me?”
“The list is endless. I allowed you to work in that hellhole with everyone treating you like a maid.” He takes a step closer. “I let you walk away from me more times than I can count.” Another step. “I spent days lying next to you, smelling your skin and feeling your warmth and not touching you.” He’s standing right in front of me now, and I have to tip my head back to see him. The air feels charged, and I’m hanging onto his every corrupt word. “But most importantly” —his palm cradles my cheek gently, while his thumb caresses my lip— “I let you breathe.”
That snaps me out of my lusty stupor. “I’m supposed to be grateful you didn’t kill me?” I seethe quietly.
“If you knew what I planned before I met you, you would be.” He has the nerve to place a chaste kiss on my lips, but I bite him when he tries to pull away, which only makes him smile and lick the smear of blood off his lip.
“I don’t know who is more insane—you, or me for putting up with you.”
“Don’t fret, lamb, it will always be me. We’re both just lucky you find me irresistible.”
“Irresistible, my butt.” I tut, but there must be some truth to his statement. I can’t even stay mad at him, and he just admitted to wanting me dead. It’s not like I wasn’t aware of his feelings toward me, I just don’t think I ever really believed he would take it that far.
“Are we changing topics again? I can go into detail about how I find your ass irresistible.”
“Would you shut up?” I roll my eyes, even though on the inside, I’m flattered. I just don’t handle compliments well.
“Fine, we can discuss all the points of your anatomy later while you’re naked. Call the Umbras and leave it on speaker.” Lucian makes the final decree before dropping lazily into a black leather club chair just off the side of the bed.
“What should I say?” I glance over at Nox. He’s much more levelheaded when it comes to actually needing advice.
“I bet they will have plenty to say as soon as they know you’re calling them,” he replies.
I open up the small list of contacts on my phone and see both Rory and Astrid’s names. Before I have a chance to decide whom to call, Lucian chimes in, as if knowing my thoughts. “Astrid is the one running the show. Your grandfather is only the figurehead.”
I send a glare at the far too perceptive twin but listen to his suggestion, even though I’d much rather speak with Rory. The phone rings three times before she finally picks up. Her voice is stiff and cold when she says, “Hello.”
“Hello, Astrid. It’s Nova.” I wince at how stupid I sound.
“Nova! We’ve been worried sick about you.” Her statement somehow comes out as chastising and caring, but it’s easier to focus on the former.
“You didn’t call,” I prompt, expecting an explanation.
“I wasn’t sure you’d have your phone or that you would be permitted to speak with us. We want you to come home, Nova. How can we help you get home?” She dismisses my reminder easily. “I can have Alden at the gate in a matter of minutes.”
Lucian shakes his head slowly, but he doesn’t speak. “Have you learned anything about what happened to me or who is responsible?” I avoid her question just like she did mine.
She exhales a sigh and clicks her tongue before announcing, “Not yet. Your grandfather hasn’t slept in days. It’s worrying him so, especially with you being…there. Please help me get you home, Nova. We can ensure nothing like that ever happens again.”
“I feel like there’s so much you’re not telling me about my mom and the island,” I hedge, hoping it will loosen her lips. I don’t want to believe that the only reason she cares about me is because she wants my future.
“And there is so much I want to tell you, but not when you’re there with them. The men you are with attacked me, Nova, and they would have killed me if given the chance. They are not just misguided young men. They are dangerous. When their parents died, they needed someone to blame. Somehow, we became the focus of their ire, and now you’re caught in the crossfire. They don’t care about you, dear. They only seek to hurt us, and they are using you to do that. You must see the truth. You’re our granddaughter, our family. We love you.”
A chasm of need opens in my chest at her last words. I can’t remember the last time someone told me they loved me, and the resulting ache tells me just how much I’ve longed for those three simple words, even if I know they may not be true.
I look down at the shiny ebony floor as pinpricks of tears well in my eyes. I hate feeling desperate and needy. It only takes a moment to regain my composure, but I’m sure a nanosecond would be long enough for Lucian to suss out the weakness in me for her approval.
“They aren’t forcing me to stay here,” I reply, because it’s not like I have an argument against anything else she said.
“Whatever lies they are feeding you, Nova, they are not true.”
I look up to see Lucian roll his eyes and mouth the word, “Clever.”
“They told me about the meeting last night.” I keep my eyes locked on the volatile twin to see his reaction, but he remains calmly seated.
“Did they tell you the reason for the meeting? That we wanted to make sure everyone knew you were one of us?” she questions quickly, making me think she assumed I knew about the assembly.
“Something like that,” I agree without real confirmation. “Why didn’t you claim me as part of your family before, if it is such an issue?”
“There are rules and traditions that must be followed, but we should have expedited the process. Please believe me when I say we had no idea someone would actually hurt you.”
“Then why make Alden my protector?”
I don’t think she expected me to question her, or maybe she’s just used to not having to explain herself, but either way, she’s quiet for a moment before answering. “He was more of a deterrent than anything else, Nova, something to remind the Morningstars you were off-limits, but I don’t suppose it was enough.” It’s clear she’s blaming them for the attack without coming right out and saying it.
Nox’s palm rubs over my back, as if he’s reminding me that he’s here and she’s not telling the truth. I turn to give him a small smile, but it’s forced, and I’m sure he knows it.
“Did you make my mom choose between my dad and staying on the island and being part of your family?”
“I thought we already addressed this, Nova.” There’s a note of impatience in her tone.
“I want to make sure I understand.”
“Your mother knew about the sacrifices that must be made for the larger picture. She was loose with her heart and made a choice I know she regretted. As a matter of fact, I’d spoken with your mother just a few days before the accident. She asked to return home.”
The information about bowls me over, but I try not to give any outward signs. “When did you speak with her?”
“Several times. In fact, she was planning on bringing you home to us.”
Lucian sits forward at Astrid’s claim, as if he needs to be closer to hear her clearly.
“Really?” I sound skeptical, but I can’t help it. “What about my dad?”
“We can talk about this more at length when you are home. Family matters are private.” She shuts down that line of questioning, but I can’t take her word as gospel. My mom loved my dad. She put up with him losing countless jobs, which resulted in us moving around a lot, but she never wavered in her support of him. Looking back, I wonder if there were times when things would have been different if she expected more from him, or if she was so tolerant of his behavior because she felt guilty about how much she was drinking.
“Why not just come out and tell me he wasn’t welcome and that he wasn’t good enough to be a founder? That’s what you think, right?”
“I don’t expect you to understand the responsibilities foisted upon us yet, Nova, but I hope you can acknowledge your mother did a disservice to you by indulging in her whims.”
“Her whims? That’s what you think of my dad?”
“Your mother was engaged to be married when she fled with your father. Most days, I think she did it to spite me. There’s no way she could have actually loved him.” Astrid’s irritation with me and my questions seems to have hit a boiling point, considering her biting tone.
“I appreciate your honesty, but you can rest comfortably knowing the world doesn’t revolve around you, Grandmother. I doubt she was thinking of you at all when she was with him.”
Nox makes a snorting noise to cover his laugh, but I don’t find anything funny. Lucian, on the other hand, is looking at me like a proud father.
“Nova.” Her pitch is condescending yet pleading in the same breath. “I’ll admit my flaw. Your father is a sore subject. He took my only daughter from me, something I hope you never have to deal with. Please excuse my harsh judgment. I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, I’m quite certain you meant every word. At least I know how easy it is to be disowned by you, and hey, you’re a pro at dealing with the consequences. It should be easier this time around.” I hit the red phone icon to end the call, but the anger filling me doesn’t die so easily.
I tighten my fingers around the device in my hand, ready to chuck it to the floor, but I’m not wasteful enough to actually do it. “Need something to take out all that frustration on, lamb?” Lucian widens his arms in offering.
I glare at him, thinking about how good it would feel to hit something, but I’m not that person and I don’t want to be. Giving her that much control over me would only mean I let her win.
“I’m not going to hit you.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you did, but there are other ways to alleviate all that annoyance if violence isn’t what you’re up for.”
“I’m worried that you would even offer,” I confess, wondering if someone else hurt him in the past.
“Don’t give me those doe eyes. I’m not that fucked up. I would never allow anyone else the privilege of touching, let alone hitting me. Besides, I never thought it was hot before you started threatening me, so it’s kind of your fault.”
“You realize this is like the definition of red flag, right?” I wave my finger between the three of us, making sure to include sweet Nox in the equation, because there is no way what’s happening between all three of us is healthy.
