Page 6 of Now You're Mine

And I’m not going to lie, a few dark thoughts have crossed my mind. The monster inside wants to take what it needs. If she hates me anyway, then why the fuck not?

The only thing stopping me is the pain I saw in her eyes yesterday when she realized I’d betrayed her. I can’t witness that pain in her again. I can’t. And it would kill me to know I’ve caused even more pain than I’ve already inflicted.

Worthless.

Coward.

The days pass slowly, and to physically remove myself from Lux’s sphere, I hunker down in my grandfather’s office across campus. It’s in the Humanities building, and even though he died a couple of years ago, I’ve instructed the administration not to touch it. The office is huge with a private bathroom, a smallkitchen, and a sofa that pulls out. The guys and I use it when we need a quiet place to crash.

Plus, my grandfather was an asshole—to other people, not to me—and during his long tenure here, he received countless death threats. Countless. So, needless to say, the security measures for his office are top-notch; heavy locks, cameras, alarms. His office is basically a fucking panic room.

It’s morning when I finally get up and make myself coffee in the kitchenette. All night, images of Lux invaded my mind, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. So this morning I feel tired, wrung out, and honestly, half-fucking-dead.

I’m just pulling my phone off the charger when there’s a knock on the door. Who the fuck even knows I’m here? I told the guys, of course, but they would have just texted.

A quick glance at the security camera reveals it’s Nathan. Nathan always seems to know shit—even shit that should be a secret. He has an odd talent for ferreting out information.

I open the door without bothering to put on clothes. I’m in boxers, but if that makes Nathan uncomfortable, then he shouldn’t be knocking on my door at 9 in the morning.

“What’s up?” I ask, sipping on my coffee.

He looks nervous, which isn’t unusual. Nathan has a weird deference toward the Sacred Sons. Most everyone does, but Nathan was my brother’s closest friend, and we all grew up together, so his anxious regard has always been a little strange to me.

Whatever.

He holds up a black envelope, exactly like the invites the Sacred Sons send to the Burning Crown membership. “This is for you.”

I snatch it from his hand, confused. “What? The Sacred Sons aren’t calling a meeting.” I know, because it requires all four of our approvals.

“It’s not the Sacred Sons calling the meeting,” he says. “It’s Lux.”

I rip the envelope open, even more confused now. “Lux is calling a meeting? Aboutwhat?”

Your Attendance is Required

Tonight, ten o'clock.

Rush House

“I don’t know,” Nathan answers. “She wouldn’t say.”

I walk back into the office, and Nathan follows. I toss the invite onto the sofa bed and set my coffee cup down. My first text is to Lux.

Just got your invite. What the fuck is this about?

But the second I send my text, I notice it’s green, which means she’s blocked me. Again. I’m not exactly shocked by that, but it’s just one more reminder of how badly I’ve fucked up.

Nathan is just standing there awkwardly, watching me. I call Lucas, putting the phone up to my ear, I flick my chin at Nathan, dismissing him. “Thanks, dude.”

He smiles tightly and leaves just as Lucas answers his phone. “Yo.”

“I just got Lux’s invite,” I say.

“Yeah, apparently weallgot one. Every active member.”

I shove my hands in my hair and tilt my head back. “Can she even fucking do this—call a meeting without the Sacred Sons’ approval?”

I’d look in my book of bylaws, but it’s back at Rush House, and if I pop up there, I’m going to see Lux. And I can’t see Lux right now. I don’t trust myself.

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