Page 84 of Owned

“You made it worse,” he retorted. “I have to find that scumbag again—if he’s left the city or if something’s happened to him, I’m blaming you.”

“Fine,” I said. “But you’d better be quick about it. If that meeting is supposed to be taking place—”

“Itis,” Bastian snarled.

“Then bring back some results,” I shot back.

Bastian’s steps slowed, and he turned with a wild look in his eyes. For a moment, I thought he’d lash out physically, something he hadn’t done since we were children. Then he smirked instead.

“Maybe,” he said, “I’d like to see what happens.” He bolted down the stairs before I could respond.

“And you?” I asked as Valen stayed beside me.

He shook his head and looked away. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’m going with him. But it’s not me you should be worried about.”

“Then what—”

But he was already gone, chasing after Bastian.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, and my mind raced as I tried to anticipate Lucian’s next moves and what Valen had meant.

Lucian’s power was growing, and in his paranoia, he was even more dangerous than I’d expected.

If he suspected anything…

I pushed the thought away and took a sharp breath. That left me one option—find out who was behind this new faction before anyone else did.

I glanced up the stairs to Avril’s closed bedroom door.

That was another problem that needed solving—she was desperate, and a danger to herself.

I’d offered to help her unlock more of the grimoire’s power, but if she was going to run headlong into it without being prepared—and without my guidance—she was going to get hurt.

And that possibility haunted me more than I was willing to admit.

Seethingrage coiled in my chest like a viper.

Titus, with his insufferable smugness, thought he could take control of the situation… but I wasn’t going to let him take control away from me so easily.

He hated it that I’d been the only one to present Lucian with any evidence of the betrayal he believed existed with the ranks of his followers.

Of course there was dissent.

Of course, there were doubters.

They weren’t worthy of being called Necromi.

And they knew it.

As I stormed through the darkened corridors, I could sense Valen’s presence behind me.

“Bastian,” he called out, “where are you going?”

“The city,” I snapped. “Thanks to Titus. I need to get some answers—”

“Hey— wait—”

“I don’t need your help,” I snarled.

---