“Lucian Corvus Cromwell.” Mrs. Cromwell’s authoritative voice echoed down the foyer. “What the hell have you done?”
Lucien bowed his head, shame washing over his face. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Do you have any idea of what position this puts your dad and I in?” she asked. “The Council has already discussed with us and we’ve promised to fix this situation. I’m sure Orick already told you about your new position as a Warden of the Courts. I don’t know who this vampire you’re seeing is, but it ends now. We don’t mess around with their kind. Do you understand?”
“Yes, mom. It wasn’t anything serious.” Lucien slumped his shoulders.
“Sebastian’s not a terrible person,” Castor spoke before he could stop himself.
“It’s not like anything could come from a relationship with him.” Mrs. Cromwell folded her arms across her chest, pointed glare directed at her son. “You stay far away from that vampire, got it? I better not ever hear he’s back in Briarwood.”
“Sebastian is also my friend,” Castor said. “So if he wants to visit, he can. My folks don’t mind.”
Mrs. Cromwell gave him a pitiful look, as if gazing down on an abused puppy. “Your folks shouldn’t let you hang around Nevermourn or anywhere near those vampires. It’s dangerous. You’ve heard the stories, right? Those bloodsuckers will kill you without mercy.”
Castor resisted arguing and bit back his retorts. “I understand him when it comes to people’s fears over the past. If you must know, Lucien only kissed Sebastian to put on an act and save me. The Supernatural Council needed a bigger scapegoat to quit harassing my family over your daughter’s murder.”
One glance at Lucien told him he’d royally fucked up. However, when he met Mrs. Cromwell’s eyes, her irritation had simmered. Only painful grief remained as she wiped fiercely to keep the tears from falling.
Lucien only watched in awe at his mother. She really knew how to put on a performance in front of others. Deep down, Lucien knew she wanted to punish him for making a mockery of their family name. Part of him wished Castor wouldn’t have cleared it up. Let her think he really screwed around with a vampire.
“You should’ve said that from the beginning!” Mrs. Cromwell scolded.
“It’s my fault,” Castor said. “Lucien just wanted to protect me. The council’s been at our home, our emporium. They’ll be at it again soon, but right now, they’re concerned about covering up Sebastian’s visit.”
“If this Sebastian vampire guy isn’t dating Lucien, does that mean..?” Mrs. Cromwell trailed off.
“No. He’s just my friend,” Castor replied. “He came to warn us about the council investigating another murdered vampire, one who was involved with their own Sanguine Council.”
“Oh dear.”
“It means the vampire council has probably raised hell with your boss,” Castor said.
“This won’t be good for any of us. They’ve already suspected a wizard gone rogue, but with such a high count in fatalities, and my precious Charlotte, there needs to be hell raised.”
“Has Dad heard about this yet?” Lucien asked, voice cracking with unease.
“Unfortunately,” Mrs. Cromwell sighed. “He wasn’t too pleased about hearing it from Orick either.”
“I see.” Lucien nodded. “Well, don’t wait up for me tonight. I only dropped by to clarify things and grab some clothes. I’m staying over at Castor’s.”
“Lucien.” Mrs. Cromwell reached a futile hand out for him as he brushed past her, heading toward the stairwell.
Not wanting to stand around like an awkward fool, Castor hurried after him. What could he do to help him? What should he say? Once they reached Lucien’s bedroom, he retrieved his wand, levitating a duffle bag from underneath his bed. It was already packed. Had he planned to leave before?
“You don’t mind if I stay with you for a while, right?” Lucien asked.
When he turned to face him, Castor couldn’t resist pulling him into his embrace. Lucien’s body sunk against his, hands clutching around him desperately. Even as kids, Castor always sensed tension amid their home, but seeing Lucien on the verge of crying shattered something deep inside him.
“Stay as long as you need.” Castor didn’t want to let him go, but he reluctantly loosened his grasp.
Lucien reeled back, rubbing at his temple. “This isn’t the first time we’ve fought about someone I liked. It happened years ago. I think they forgot all about it until now, but Mom swore I’d outgrow the phase.”
Castor tilted his head. “Phase? You’ve dated vampires before? Sweet, I wish I’d known. We could’ve doubled-dated.”
“What? No. I’m gay,” Lucien admitted. “But hold up. You dated a vampire? When?”
“After high school,” Castor replied. “She was a lot older than me. Mom was not happy at all.”
“By a lot... What do you mean?” Lucien asked.
“She could’ve been my great grandmother.”
“Holy hell.” Lucien’s eyes widened. “That’s terrible. Why would you do that?”
“It was wild. She wasn’t interested in an actual relationship, but rather, wanted me for the perk of drinking my blood. And stealing my life force, cuz that’s what clever vampires do.” Castor laughed at the memory of being such a moonstruck idiot. “Lesson learned. Don’t let beautiful vampires drink from you until you faint. Mom had to use all kinds of healing potions on me just to return my strength.”
“She used you,” Lucien said.
“Yeah, pretty much.” Castor shrugged. “Terrible first girlfriend who almost killed me via blood draining. So, how about you? Any guys you’re interested in?” Castor leered, wondering if there was a chance he fancied him.
Castor couldn’t deny his attraction toward his best friend. Ever since they’d reached their teenage years, he’d thought about him that way. Of course, it would’ve stirred up a helluva lot of drama for two young male wizards to date. Their families worshiped their traditions like they were Gods themselves.
“Not really.” Lucien averted his gaze. “I told my Mom about one of my crushes once and it upset her, so I quit thinking about dating anyone.”
“You shouldn’t sacrifice your happiness for their sake.”
Lucien sighed. “He’s a straight guy, so nothing ever could’ve come from it. No use in dwelling on the past. Let’s just get out of here.”
Comments (2)
See all