Page 50 of Semblance

“You couldn’t ask an easier question first?” Lincoln said, more as a statement than a question.

“I want to know the dirt behind those two.”

“You swear that any secret information provided to you will never leave your lips?”

“I swear,” I replied.

Lincoln leaned back in his seat and thought about it for a moment.

“I’ve always believed that the order of balance in the universe required both harmony and conflict,” Lincoln began. “There is one person in everybody’s lives that’s destined to make you happy and on the flip side, there’s also one person whose sole purpose in life is to torture you.”

“Who gives you grief?” I asked.

Lincoln smiled. “Why that’s a silly question. Isn’t it obvious? It’s Calisto,” he said. “Some people fit in both categories.”

“I don’t get it, if she causes you so much suffering, why do you want to be with her?”

“I’m a glutton for punishment,” he replied.

“Guys are fucking weird.”

“Is it any different than a girl going for the sexy and dangerous bad boy instead of the safe, intelligent Poindexter?”

I thought about Justin, the very definition of safe and stable and placed him next to Shadow.

Shit, he was right.

“Anyways, it looks like I’ve gone off topic,” Lincoln said. “Similar to royalty, membership into the Midnight Society has always been passed down by lineage, with a few exceptions. The children are involved within the society at an early age—participating in functions, learning about the organization, and meeting others their age. Shadow and Lucien started hating each other while they were still learning to walk. Every interaction they had with one another was just another brick laid on the foundation of their hatred.”

“But two people don’t just start hating each other for no reason. There must have been a spark,” I said.

“Children are stupid and petty,” Lincoln said. “They start fights over idiotic things like broken toys and stolen candy.”

“But to have a feud originate at childhood and then carry over until now is ridiculous. There has to be something recent that you’re not telling me.”

“Lucien grew up with complete devotion to our organization. It’s hard to find someone who loves the Midnight Society more than he does. The Gambles have always lived and breathed the ways of our organization.”

“And that’s why he hates Shadow?”

“Shadow is the undisputed leader of the Midnight Society,” Lincoln said. “But he doesn’t take his duties very seriously.”

I paused for a moment, reflecting on the fateful night that Shadow had chosen me to be his life mate. Compared to the three other women, who practically threw themselves at his feet, I was undeserving of this ‘honor.’ I could see how it was insulting for everyone who bought into this ritual.

However I still felt there was something that Lincoln wasn’t telling me.

“There’s got to be more,” I replied. “This hatred is deep.”

Lincoln shook his head. “What more is there to say?”

“I’m not satisfied.”

“It’s been a longtime since a woman has said that to me,” he smirked.

“Do you want my help or not?” I asked. “I could easily plant seeds in Calisto’s mind to place you in the dreaded friend zone. Once there, there’s no getting out.”

Lincoln raised a brow. “Did you just threaten me?”

“I suppose I did.”

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