Page 88 of When Day Breaks

Lucynda

TWO MONTHS LATER - December 24th

Tranquil.

That's the only word I have to describe the way I feel at this very moment right now.

The snow that has fallen, creating mountains of glistening hope against the grounds that once burned out of hatred, anger, and a deep need for annihilation.

The Christmas tree that sparkles with silvery glass ornaments and twinkling bright lights against the luminescence of the moon that shines through the window and into the space that once called for conclaves to dismantle and evoke evil truths.

The piano that plays a beautifully harmonious tune as the notes resound off the wall at the mercy of the same fingersthat touched so much blood, defiled and tainted yet still demonstrating perseverance through the sound of music.

The ashes of our demise, the bones of our betrayers, and the whispers of our souls make up the walls of this castle, hell bent on tearing us apart and vivid with the destruction held between us.

But we prevailed and all is tranquil.

"It sounds sensational, little one." Rivian walks up behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder as I finish offNuvole Bianche.

He leans down and presses a kiss over my scar and I shiver at his touch.

Troian sits by the wood-burning fire; her head rests on one arm of the chair and her feet are kicked up over the other as she flips through the pages of an old book.

"You know the vampires in this booksparkle? Like glitter in the sun. I've never heard of such absurdity," she calls out in blasphemy, the fire crackles in front of her.

Rivian looks down at me and I chuckle at her abrasiveness. "I told you," I say to him as I lift myself from the piano bench at the sight of Natasha coming through the doorway with a tray of hot chocolate.

"Travois, will Trinity be joining us?" I hear Rivian ask with devilry in his tone, likely trying to stir something.

I hear my brother sigh in inconvenience as I approach Natasha. "Thank you," I whisper to her while taking a mug, and she bows her head before setting the tray down.

"Mind your own business," Travois demands as he sits at the table sipping a tumbler of blood, likely mixed with whiskey—as I've come to learn he likes.

"You know, I don't know why you're still engaged to her when you haven't even so much as talked to her in the past few months." Troian closes her book and sits up.

I go to stand by my husband's side as I watch the two engage in petty arguments.

"And I don't suppose the almightyTroian Leigh Duquesnemight have a new love interest lingering around? Who are you consorting with this time around? Seeing as there are no more elusive enemies to fraternize with." Trav doesn't even look at Troy when talking to her, that nefarious tint laced in his tone.

"Middle names?" I tease.

She tosses her book across the room, damn near spot on with his head. But he catches it with one hand, not even moving otherwise. He drops it in disregard and says, "Sorry, sis. Did I hit a nerve?"

"You are insufferable, you know? Don't you have anything better to do than sit around here and sip ominously on all of the blood supply? Try taking up a hobby like . . . I don't know, fishing," she deadpans, walking over to the hot chocolates and grabbing one. "You owe me a new book,Travois Jameson Duquesne," she adds before taking a sip.

Rivian wraps his arms around me and squeezes me in, his warmth engulfing me.

"And what about you, sister?" My husband asks. "Any hobbies you want to take up in place of-"

I smack Rivian to stop him from continuing his insult.

"Killing boys is anactualhobby, thank you very much," she replies with sarcasm, and I can practically hear Travois roll his eyes from here. "But in case you must know, I do actually have plans," she starts with hesitation in her tone.

Rivian and I look over to her, not knowing what she's about to reveal. She sighs as she sets down her mug to face us, nervousness in her demeanor.

"It's time, brother.Reallytime. I've been trapped in these walls for far too long and…" she trails off, obviously worried that Rivian might stand against her request. A request I know she'sbeen dying to make. "I want to leave Hollows Trace." The words are final as they fall from her mouth, a confession she desires most.

This time, Travois turns his head as he watches his twin.

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