Page 27

Standing here, seeing how we prioritize power over family, while I can’t speak for the other families, I wonder when the Druids forgot their purpose? Family over all. Brooklyn was hurting, and we didn’t fight for her. Resigned, I decide that while this may be our lives now, it doesn’t have to be my sister’s future.

“Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the Hart Estate!” Dom’s voice booms, welcoming us all and officially kicking off the ball. We all turn toface him as he continues his speech. “Tonight I’m announcing my plans to marry a suitable candidate from the Human Faction. After all the horrible news we’ve had, I wanted to share this good news with you first!” Everyone applauds politely as Dom takes a sip of his champagne before he moves onto the next item in his welcome speech.

Using the pause as his opportunity, my dad chooses this moment to take over, and Dom struggles to keep the look of surprise off his face. My dad claps Dom on his shoulder and says, “Congratulations, Dominic! I’m proud of the man you’ve become, and the Rhodes family fully supports you in this next chapter of your life.”

Kissing ass is not my dad’s best look, but he would call this networking if you asked him. I heard about the favor Dom did for us, and while I disapprove of the methods, I can’t deny the result was effective. Unstoppable, my dad continues.

“I have one more announcement to add to Dominic’s. Jude, my daughter, is also getting married soon to an old Druid family. She will strengthen our bloodline and ensure the future and protection of the Supernatural community.”

Gasps of surprise turn into applause as my face drains of all its color. Looking at Dom, he shakes his head slightly in apology, telling me he knew nothing about this. I guess it’s different when you choose to marry like he is, instead of when it’s being forced on you the way it is me. My dad leaves his spot and snags a few canapes off a server's tray, and I try to look normal as I hurry towards him and hiss, “What happened tolater? I thought we had an agreement? You promised you would wait!”

Popping his canape into his mouth, his glare intensifies as my mother appears at his side. His voice is a low hiss, sending chills down my spine. “Irevisited and decided now was the right time. You just assumed otherwise. You’re getting married, whether you want to or not. If you dare try to take Brooklyn, I will kill you myself. Don’t test me. Alyssa has done it to one of hers, and while I’ve never had to, there is always a first time.”

Tears threaten to fall as I say nothing. I have no counter threat, and he knows it. How can I take Brooklyn and run if I’m dead? I desperately try to keep my face blank under the mask, racing out of the ballroom with Sebastian not far behind me.

“Talk to me, Jude, what’s wrong?” He rips his mask off as he tries to get closer to me and comfort me. “Is this what you wanted to tell me earlier?” He doesn’t even look hurt at the thought of me marrying someone else, just worried about my reaction.

Looking around, I still see some guests milling around, so I pull him into one of the spare rooms. Here we can talk freely away from Supernatural hearing. Still, to be safe, I whisper. “What’s the point, Sebastian? It's not like we have a future together. Why do we keep doing this to each other?”

We still haven’t spoken about why we ended the first time. But Sebastian doesn’t seem to care as he tries to get closer to me, and I fling him off.

I throw all my frustration and rage at him. “Don’t you get it, Sebastian? We can’t keep doing this to each other. A moment of happiness is not worth the agony I feel when we’re done. Especially when I know I’ve got no choice in this marriage.”

“I thought telling you the truth was the one way I would show you I’m serious about building a future with you.” He pleads, and it almost breaks me.

We have to let each other go, but I don’t know how to. That hopelessness I’ve been fighting off for so long crashes into me with the force of a freight train, and I try not to fall apart even as sobs wrack my body.

Chapter 19 | Clutching My Pearls

Luca

At one stage of our lives, we were monsters hiding in castles from the rest of the world. Now, we flaunt a different kind of power, one of wealth and influence. We’ve come a long way if this masquerade ball is any indication, and I can’t help wondering if this is the life our ancestors were fighting for.

But monsters come in so many forms, they’re not just limited to the Supernatural. I stood up to a bully, and it got me in trouble. Clearly, we still have work to do. I don’t care if Storin was from an influential family; he was a dick, but somehow it still earned me the Undead equivalent of a timeout. It’s the only thing that keeps me from running after Jude. That marriage announcement was a low blow, even by Eric Rhodes’ standards. It's clear she knew nothing about it. It helps that Sebastian is with her, but I also know my every move is being watched.

As if my mom knows what I’m thinking, she gives me a sharp look of reminder, and I return a small nod and focus on the Sorcerer talking to me. Tonight, I was supposed to earn my good graces with the Undead and therest of the families again, and going after Jude will undo my progress. My mom explicitly told me I couldn’t be seen being overly friendly with any of the heirs. I need to prove to the Undead that I prioritize them, something they doubt after how I dealt with Storin. Yet what kind of message would I have sent as an heir to our empire if I had done nothing, and just let him treat me that way?

Privately, Mom admitted that if she was there, she would have done the same, but since she wasn’t, she’s the one that has been repairing the relationships with the other Undead families. Between that and the murders, tensions are at an all-time high, and there was even a rumor that I was responsible. That’s why we decided that me remaining out of the public eye for a bit was a good move until we could gradually win back the trust I had lost. Fear makes people see crazy things.

“Looking good, Luca!” One of the Undead close to my age says to me as she walks past us, and it's hard to keep my smile of satisfaction to myself. Even if things are strained and the highlight of my day is now selecting a ball gown, I’m still Luca fucking De Greer and proud of it. I look incredible in my nude gown, tiered with lots of volume, while still clinging tightly to most of my body. Because I got the shade of the gown right, it almost looks like I’m naked, except that the dress is covered in a thin, black layer of sparkles, and it shimmers in the light as I walk. It's almost scandalous. I fucking love it. It will give these morons something fabulous to talk about.

The timeout hurt me more than I would like to admit. I get it and why it needed to happen, but Tao is such a big part of my life, and to have it ripped away from me so suddenly has been challenging. The Sorcerer excuses herself, and Rogue takes her place and launches intosomething. I can’t be bothered to think of what, but I try my best to remain polite. I know I’ve met him before, and I know his name somewhere.

Alessandro, that's his name. I think he’s one of Alyssa’s cousins.

Alessandro loves the sound of his own voice as he prattles about the latest gossip in the empires, and I want to die from boredom. He’s not doing the male race any favors, even if he is pretty to look at. He cuts an impressive six feet in his black, silk tux, and his bedroom eyes could easily pull one over on you if that was your kind of thing. Looking at his pretty face would be quite enjoyable, but his voice makes me want to claw my eyes out.

If I just twitched my hand and took control of his blood, I could make all of it rush to his head and explode. That would be entertaining, although it would defeat the purpose of winning back trust. That, and this is what they mean when they say don’t let intrusive thoughts win. It wouldn’t be the worst thing people have seen here, though.

“Really, Dominic was lucky he caught Katalina in time. It could have been so much worse for their empire if things went on any longer. We should all look into our own empires and make sure the same is not happening to us.” I honestly have no idea what Alessandro is on about, but I nod like I’ve been listening the whole time.

Giving him my best false smile, I excuse myself to find anyone to distract me from the brain-meltingly boring company he was. Stopping by the Hart twins, I’m relieved to see I can finally tell them apart. I grin, “When did you girls get so tall? Stunners, both of you. You’re going to break a lot of hearts along the way. Just lay off on the non approved human boys, will you?”

Raising an eyebrow at Remi, a blush creeps into her cheeks as she catches my hint, so I change the subject. I compliment her voluminous ball gown, the red chiffon so striking against her blonde locks. Reece, by contrast, is wearing a simple satin, black ball gown with a striking cat eye and red lip. The term “old Hollywood glamor” comes to mind. Reaching into my cleavage, I remove a vial of my blood and hand it to Reece, “For your spell work,” I murmur under my breath, and she performs an impressive sleight of hand as I continue with more polite conversation.

“So, what do you think about your brother getting married and expanding the family? That’s exciting, isn’t it?” I ask the girls. Seeing I’ve struck gold, the girls launch into all their ideas and I listen patiently while my mind drifts. The murders are bugging me. While we don’t have many, we keep our weaknesses under tight wraps, and unless you’re from our empire, chances are you won’t know them. Does it even matter though if someone has figured it out? Knowing the Undead are the hardest to kill out of the four families, I would love to know how they’re still getting to us.

Not wanting to spend too long with the twins, I excuse myself and make a point of socializing with other guests like a good little socialite. One of the Druid families mention to me they have some money to move, and I remind him that Tao is there for his every need. Tomorrow, he should go to the club and ask for Silva. I also explain that we only take a small percentage for our trouble, and that’s when I realize I can use tonight to network for Tao.