Page 163 of Terror Tuesday

“Of course, that would mean as soon as we graduate…aiming to become members of the Board of NU…” The thought rattles in my mind, anxiety making my heart race.

“We’d have an easier way to dismantle them by being on the inside. If we work together, we could turn the entire board against the president. I know that my aunt would agree.”

I blink at him. “You think your Aunt Livia Friedenberg would agree to dismantle them, but not your Uncle Max?”

His lips purse for a moment. “He’d be a tougher sell, but we’d win him over…”

“And the others… Could get them all to help topple the current system?”

“With some time.”

In frustration, I sigh and take a step back. “We don’thavetime. Our siblings don’t have time.”

“Especially with the cloaked man still out there with an unknown identity.”

“GNU. His name is GNU for all we know.”

“Code name or real… Either way, he exists, and we don’t know what his motives are.”

I sigh as the memories of the president’s last moments flash through my brain. “Nor whatSeptum…What were his final words?”

Valen’s brow wrinkles as he recalls. “Something about a blood sacrifice, maybe.”

“It’s all just a muddled mess…”

Reaching for me, he soothes my worries with another embrace, then rubs his thumb over my cheek. “We’ll get it done. Cardell Enterprises. West Tech Industries. Possibly Freidenberg Foundation… It’s a start. And we’re not going to stop until it’s over.”

His resolve settles me until I’m nodding against his chest. “Then let’s tear it down together.”

Things have been smooth in our life, despite the impending threats from the new administration. My family and his are getting along. There’s peace between my brothers and Valen, though precarious. All it took was Dad’s talking to and my threats of violence against Ryan and Aiden.

But here, in our mansion, I’ve found a new family. A new home. It’sours. The place I feel safe and can grow fully into the person I want to be.

“Despite their setbacks, the Monarchs keep coming back every summer. It’s in their DNA?—”

“I love you, Valen…” I interrupt, a tear glistening in my eye.

This will be my life now. That and working on finishing the stories that Naomi had prepared with her evidence. And Valen’s…

“I did come up here to give you good news.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

He grabs my ass and lifts me into the window frame, winter light shining on his smiling face. In a swift motion, he kneels before me and holds out a black box. When he pops the top, I gasp.

The ring is so unique… It looks as if it’s a Monarch butterfly crafted of several types of jewels.

“I had it made for you. Lab-grown. UV-reactive ink with an inscription…and a nano-engraved serial number that I have tattooed on my back. So we’re always in sync.”

My hand trembles as I offer it, and he slides the ring on, holding it there like a vow unspoken.

The ring is veryVanq. And now…it’s mine, too.

Elliot…Valen… For the first time in my life, he made me feelwantedfor who I am. Never treated me as blemished or damaged in any way. He saw my strength. Even the darkest parts of me, heidentifiedwith them.

He swallows, then says quietly, like it’s sacred, “The new president signed the appointment. You’re officially my appointed. And now, I’m making you my wife… If you’ll agree to it, my queen.”

Stunned, I smile. “Of course, I will.”