Page 78 of Made in Malice

“Don’t be naïve, lamb,” Lucian censures.

“Apparently I am, because I don’t know what else it could be.”

“Think much bigger,” Nox says.

“How about you just tell me?” Keeping up with these two is exhausting, not to mention I was tired before I even went into work tonight, despite the time off. I need to take better care of myself. The past few weeks have taken a toll on me mentally and physically.

“Those who control the money control the world,” Lucian says plainly, then drops onto the sofa.

“Cryptic much?” I accuse.

“Not really,” Lucian replies. “You want to know how a law got passed or how someone got elected? Follow the money trail, and you’ll find places like Cadieux College and people like us.”

“No way,” I scoff, looking between them and waiting for them to laugh, but neither of them does. “You’re joking, right?”

“No. Do you understand why the Umbras need you so badly now? You are more than their grandchild, you are their legacy, shaping future leaders of the world in the image they see fit.” Lucian sounds irritated by the entire thing, or maybe it’s because he’s explaining it to me.

“I’m not interested,” I say, not even sure if I can believe him. The thought of running the school was bad enough, but this… I can’t even comprehend what it would mean.

“It will be a long time before you have to worry about it, Nova,” Nox soothes, but it doesn’t matter. It feels like the weight of their expectations is already sitting on my shoulders.

“There are ways around it,” Lucian says, agreeing with his brother, but I don’t even want to think about it anymore.

“I should get going,” I announce, backing toward the door.

“Nope, doctor’s orders, you need to be supervised for the night,” Lucian tells me while watching me with his chin tipped down. Even though he’s sitting, it still feels like he’s somehow looking down at me.

“He did not say that,” I argue.

“Sure he did. Need me to call him so you can hear it yourself?”

“No, besides, he would say whatever you told him to say.”

“Now she’s catching on.” Lucian’s mouth curls in a cruel yet beautiful smile. I find myself wondering how often he allows people to see the emotion on his face. At school, he doesn’t seem to speak unless he’s being a jerk, which isn’t all that different from any other time, but every once in a while, I wonder if maybe there isn’t something under all the indifference he lets everyone see.

I blame my wandering thoughts on the fact that he told me he lost his parents. Since that night, I’ve felt myself softening toward him, even when I know I shouldn’t. Then there’s Nox. He makes it really hard not to like him, even though I know I’m stupid for feeling that way.

“Come sit down. I’ll get you some Tylenol for your wrist,” Nox offers as if to prove my belief in his kindness.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, dismissing the offer.

“I promise I won’t drug you.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about,” I tease.

“I’m not going to hurt you, lamb. I’m far too fond of the chaos you create.” Lucian lowers his lids, and I swear he meant that as a compliment. I’m so taken aback, I sit in one of the chairs across the room from the brothers and keep my mouth closed.

“You can see the TV better from over here. Want to pick a movie?” Nox extends his hand, already holding a black remote.

It’s so dumb and reckless, but I want to stay. I want to sit on the couch and act like we’re friends. I didn’t realize how lonely I was when I was back home because I worked all the time and didn’t give myself a chance to think about things being any other way, but here, where I was expecting to find a family that wanted me and not what I could do for them, I feel even more isolated.

“Come on.” Nox motions me over as if he can sense that I’m wavering.

“I can’t stay long.” I preface my approach as if it’s some sort of warning.

He ignores my comment. “What do you want to watch?”

I look around the room, knowing there’s only one acceptable answer. “The Addams Family.” I feel Lucian staring at the side of my face, and I can’t hide how much I’m enjoying his look of disdain.

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