Page 113 of Dark Souls

He glanced at my mum and dad and I realised what was being said without words. To maintain peace, they had ignored The Underground’s activities, but the unjust killings of two members of my grandpapi’s clan and his loyal soldiers there would force his intervention. I felt twitchy. Uncomfortable. I didn’t want them getting involved in my business. I wasn’t ready. And what would they even do if those vampires had died? Blame Luka? They’d met him and knew he worked forThe Underground.He was their only connection. I’d promised him they could be trusted, and they were about to shit all over that promise if they went in swinging their dicks and accusing him of crimes he may or may not have committed.

“If they were members ofThe Underground, that would have been their choice, though, right?” I blurted as my grandparents and parents all narrowed their eyes at me.

“What do you mean?” my mum asked.

“They knew the rules of the club. They knew that joining a club like that and attending those events came with risk. If they died, which I am not saying they did, but let’s just say that happened, it would have been at their own risk.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t make it okay. Or something I, as the head of a clan, or your parents as rulers, can just turn a blind eye to. It needs to be investigated. These men were sons. They have brothers and sisters. They are going to want to know what happened to them. I’m going to need to talk to that man again.”

My stomach flipped. “Let me talk to him. He’s more likely to tell me if he knows anything than you.”

“Fine.”

“Okay, that means I’ll have to go to the next event.”Perfect excuse!

“Ilaria–” my dad started, but I interrupted him.

“It’s the best way to get intel! And I might even see those men there.”

“When is it? And where?” Grandpapi asked.

“I don’t know yet. But I’ll find out.”

“I don’t want you going to too many of theseevents,” my dad said sternly. “Especially when people are going missing from them.”

“We have no proof that they were even members yet. Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Grandma Alina replied, ever the level-headed one.

“Right. Let’s just see what Ilaria can find out first.” My mum stood up, giving me a warm smile, which immediately made me feel guilty for not telling her about Luka. Grandma and Sienna knew, and I knew I could trust Grandma Alina and my mum to keep this a secret from the men in this family, but in all honesty, my mum was a little unpredictable. I wasn’t sure how she would handle it, knowing my mate was runningThe Underground. She was my mother, but she was also a queen. “Are you staying here tonight or coming back to the palace?”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.” I stood up to meet her in height, although she was still half a head taller than me. “I want to move out.”

“What?” Dad snapped, darting out of his chair. My mum’s face remained calm and unreadable, while my dad wore his every emotion all over his. “Move out where?”

“To Calli’s apartment. I’m practically there all the time anyway, and you know I enjoy my own space. I texted Calli, and she said I was more than welcome to it now that Neve was living in Heroux.”

“But you will have no protection there!” my dad argued, disbelief written all over his face.

“And what do I need protection from exactly? I can protect myself if need be.”

“Oh, really?” He snorted through his nose. “What about spiders?”

“I’ll buy a spider plant. I also think you all forget that I can transport myself out of any situation I want to. Danger comes at me and poof. I’m a cloud of smoke.”

“Except this is you, who prefers to walk into danger than poof yourself away from it. Why? Why do you want to move out? You have an entire wing to yourself at the palace, and you have an attic here at the castle. We barely see you as it is. What more do you want?”

“An apartment. Alone,” I answered with a smile when he shook his head.

“Ezra, it seems only fair. Lorcan and Leif have practically both moved out. Leif is at that coven now and Lorcan will eventually build his own pack house at Blood Moon when he and Aurelia return. If Ilaria wants to live at Calli’s flat, it’s fine with me.”

My dad huffed, grabbing my head and slamming it against his chest as he cradled it under his huge biceps, suffocating me in the process. “But she’s my little girl! Just stop growing up, please.”

“Good God.” I shuffled out from under his arms and smoothed my hair. “You’ve been saying that for twenty-one years. Learn to accept the inevitable. It might stop those grey hairs from sprouting.” I pointed at the side of his head and right on cue, he freaked out. Of course, he didn’t have a single grey hair yet. Even though he was well into his fifties, he could still pass as in his late twenties with his werewolf genes.

“You’re fine. She’s messing with you.” My mum giggled as my dad stormed over to a mirror and inspected his sandy curls thoroughly. “Are you sure Calli doesn’t mind?”

“She insisted. Practically begged for me to take it off her hands.”

“Then I guess you’ll need help packing.” Her voice showed her excitement and sadness as she grabbed my hand and squeezed it.