Page 97 of Creatures of Chaos

I lose count of the turns we take before Talon finally opens a door and gestures for us to enter what looks to be a combination of a home library and old fashion game room. I feel like I’ve stepped back a century in time. The room is ringed with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and in the center there are chess and backgammon tables, and a seating area set up in front of an unlit fireplace.

Titus quickly surveys the space and then turns to Talon, crossing his arms over his chest. “Okay. We’re here. Care to let us know why?”

“Maybe I’m just looking to make new friends,” Talon says, and I roll my eyes. He had more friends on his first day at Nightlark than I could hope to have in my entire life.

Titus shoots him an annoyed look. “We know this has something to do with Chaos. Are you looking for an alliance or something? Because if so, it’s a little late. We’re headed into the last trial, which means it’s every creature for him, or herself,” he finishes, tipping his head in my direction.

I smile, appreciative of the acknowledgement.

“No offense, because I like you both,” Titus goes on, “but as far as I’m concerned, you two are the enemy.”

Talon opens his mouth to respond when the game room door opens, and Drake appears. “I found two more of your guests,” he says, and then Becks and Ensley enter the room.

Becks’ gaze finds me immediately, and when our eyes connect my heart rate kicks up and something twists in my chest. He looks as miserable as I feel, and I both wish we were alone right now and am grateful that we aren’t.

“Thanks,” Talon says, a clear dismissal to his uncle.

Drake scowls at his nephew, and then eyes Becks and me, where we’re standing at least five feet apart. There’s a calculating gleam in his eye that starts to make me nervous when he doesn’t turn and leave.

“I’ve got it from here,” Talon says, prompting his uncle to leave us alone.

Drake’s nostrils flare in annoyance, but he finally leaves, closing the door after him.

That was weird.

“Why didn’t you invite your parents over as well?” Talon asks Becks, eyeing Ensley with a look of frustration.

“We’re not here for you. We’re here for her,” Becks says, nodding toward me.

Ensley crosses her arms over her chest. “Like it or not we’re a package deal. That’s how this friendship works.”

Talon shakes his head but doesn’t complain anymore.

When Titus introduces himself to Becks and Ensley, I don’t miss the appreciative way his teal gaze travels up and down Ensley, or the way her eyes light up when it does. Neither does Becks, who steps forward and offers Titus his hand to break up whatever is going on between the white-haired fae and his sister.

After introductions are over, Talon tells us all to take a seat on the couch and chairs around the unlit fireplace. Becks and I take opposite sides of the same couch. I don’t look in his direction, but I feel his gaze brush over me like a warm summer breeze. I have to bite my lip to keep myself from sneaking a peek.

Talon stands at the mantel with the rest of us seated around him. His gaze trips from Becks and me as he reads our body language, and a smirk lifts one corner of his mouth. “Trouble in paradise?”

“Quit stalling, Talon,” Becks says. “Why are we here?”

The smirk melts off Talon’s face and then he purposefully looks away from Becks and Ensley to focus on Titus and me. “Chaos isn’t what you think it is. I thought I could do this on my own, but I was wrong. I need your help, and I realize if I’m going to get it I have to let you in on some of the truth.”

“Someof the truth?” Titus asks with a raised brow.

“As much of it as I can,” he answers, and then proceeds to tell everyone the same story he told me when he came into my parents’ store about Shadow Striker and the Vampire King.

When he’s done, the room goes silent. Titus looks thoughtful and Ensley is on the verge of tears, which I get. That story is just as heartbreaking the second time I hear it as the first. Becks looks unconvinced.

“Are you trying to get us to believe the Chaos prize is a real artifact with the magical ability to give creatures powers?” He huffs out a half-laugh. “Only a fool would believe that.”

I duck my head.Umm. Ouch.

“You can believe whatever you want,” Talon says to him. “I’m only concerned with what these two believe,” he says, indicating Titus and me.

Titus leans back in the brown leather wingback chair he’s sitting in, looking just as unconvinced as Becks. “Why should we believe this dagger is some fabled artifact from an Ancient I’ve never heard of?”

I keep my mouth shut because I already know what Talon is going to say, and sure enough he explains what he already confessed to me about how Shadow Striker has been in his family for years and was stolen.

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