Page 10 of Owned

“Careful,” Lucian intoned. “Remember your place.”

Bastian shrugged, undeterred. “How could I?” he retorted. “You have reminded us, very precisely, of our place in this world, father.” He took a sip of his wine and set the glass down with enough force to make the liquid slosh over the rim and onto the tablecloth. The deep red stain spread out under the foot of his glass and his smile was brief as he met our father’s gaze.

His pale eyes were the same as Lucian’s.

Sometimes the two of them were too similar.

“Bastian has had too much to drink,” I interjected and tried to keep my tone carefully controlled. “We’ve been waiting for you to announce the date. The Necromi will be eager for the details.” I straightened just a little as Lucian’s pale gaze turned on me. “This union will only strengthen our family’s power in Messana.”

The words tasted like poison on my tongue, but I forced them out and ignored Bastian’s pointed glare.

Lucian hesitated for only a moment before his lips curled into a satisfied smile and he turned his attention back to Avril. “You see, my dear? Even my sons understand the importance of this marriage. It is time for you to embrace your destiny.”

Avril’s shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly.

She didn’t look at me. But she had to understand why I had spoken out.

I longed to comfort her—but I didn’t dare. The wedding date wouldn’t be set for weeks—enough time to prepare.Maybe even enough time to escape.

My heart raced as Titus leaned forward and drew my attention away from Avril.

“Father,” Titus began. “It’s been some time since you’ve allowed us to know what your plans are— Surely you’ve considered your next move after... recent events.”

Lucian’s chin lifted slightly as he assessed his eldest son Titus with a predator’s calculating precision.

“Ah, my ambitious son,” Lucian replied as his lips curled into a cryptic smile, one that sent a chill racing down my spine. There was something unsettling about that expression—about all of this. “Everything will fall into place when the time is right.” His voice was filled with an eerie calmness that set my nerves on edge.

“Is it wise to leave so much to chance?” Titus pressed. His tone was deceptively respectful, but I knew what he was really thinking.

Do you— do you, really?

There was only one thing I knew about Titus with any certainty—his hunger for control could ruin our plan before we had even made it.

“Chance?” Lucian chuckled, and the sound reverberated eerily through the room before the velvet curtains that masked the tall windows muffled it. “I have no intention of leaving anything to the whims of fortune.” His fingers tapped against the tabletop, and I could sense the dark energy that crackled just below the surface—a barely concealed threat. “You should know better than that.” His lip curled in a sneer before he wrapped his hand around his wineglass once more.

“Of course,” Titus said in a tone that was filled with mock deference. “The Necromi don’t believe in fate—isn’t that right, father?”

“We make and unmake fate,” Lucian intoned. “We bend it to our desires.”

“As all things bend,” Bastian finished flatly.

Titus glanced at Bastian, but it was fleeting, and Bastian seemed intent on finishing all the wine that remained in the crystal carafe and Titus focused on our father once more.

“But what if those plans require... resources that are currently out of reach?”

Lucian frowned. “Resources,” he echoed as he traced a finger around the gilded edge of his wine glass. “Everything we desire lies within our grasp, my sons. All it takes is a little patience…” His gaze flitted toward Avril and lingered just long enough to make her shiver.

The polished wood of Lucian’s chair creaked as Lucian leaned back and steepled his fingers beneath his chin.

He knew how threatening his calm could be.

“May I— May I leave—” Avril tried again to flee. I could sense her desperation, and it was obvious how much delight my father took in it.

“Now, now, my dear—” Lucian purred. “Remember what I said about patience?”

“Yes,” Avril murmured.

Her wineglass was refilled, but she didn’t touch it or look up.

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