Page 27 of Created in Chaos
“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.”
