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“And do to me.” That arrogant, crooked smile lifted half of his beautiful mouth, the cleft in his chin denting further, making him even more devastating.
Ass.
“You think you know so much.” I scoffed and tightened the messy bun on my head, some hair having whipped out in the wind. “As if you have any idea what I really want.”
He shifted behind me, leaning close to my ear. “I definitely know what you want.” He nipped the shell of my ear. “And I’m going to explain it to you in full detail so there’s no misunderstanding.”
“Hah!”
“And show you.”
“Pfft.”
“Soon, Kittycat.”
There was that promise again.
“Hmph.” I shrugged away from him, so he wouldn’t feel me shiver. When had I become a mindless nitwit, incapable of forming words? My only response to him had been a series of snarky sounds as he’d detailed how he would educate me on my wants.
Another shiver climbed up my spine, tingling the hairs on my skin. I shook it off, moving away from him. I needed distance in order for my brain to function properly.
Lucius stood at the fireplace, gazing into the flames. I heard the door to the outer terrace close behind us. I settled on a black velvet chaise. One of the Nightwing security guards tapped the alarm pad on the outer terrace wall, disappearing from view as the steel doors came down.
“Moira.” Lucius held an amber-colored drink loosely in one hand, defying the tension in his shoulders. His typically tranquil gaze narrowed to a sharp edge. “I apologize for pulling you away from work, but we needed to ensure your safety. There’s been another murder.”
“I know.” I took a deep breath. “The symbol on her skin. I believe it’s the symbol for The Herald.”
“You know about the symbol already? That hasn’t been broadcast to the public.”
Kol crossed his arms, leaning his shoulder against the corner of the mantelpiece. “Her friend, Macon, is an intern at the Gladium Precinct. He’s been secretly getting video footage to her.”
“What the hell, Moonring!” How’d he know that? I really wanted to slap that smug look off his face. “Stalker,” I muttered.
“Good,” interjected Lucius, still in deep thought. “I’m glad you’re up to speed. The symbol is clearly a warning or a threat. We believe it is most probably directed at you, but there could be other reasons for displaying such a public message on the victim.”
Jessen rushed into the room. “Did she—” Seeing me, she ran to the sofa and pulled me up, hugging the crap out of me. “Thank God you’re all right.”
I winced, shifting my shoulder away, biting my lip.
“Relax, Jess. She’s safe,” assured Lucius.
Still, my sister swept a critical eye over every inch of me in a millisecond, assessing any possible damage. I was glad she couldn’t see my stitched shoulder.
“I’m fine.” We both took a seat, and she snuggled into me like we used to when we were little on the living room sofa. “Lucius, you were saying there may be other reasons for making it public.”
His eyes were on his wife, an endearing yet protective look.
“We believe there is another motive to these murders, other than an archaic ritual.”
“Such as?” I asked.
Lucius swallowed his drink in one gulp and set the empty glass on the mantel. Kol’s smirk had long-since faded to Iceman exterior. His lips tightened into a line as Lucius tucked his hands in his pockets and continued. “The Herald isn’t simply a college paper. It’s the most prominent publication on campus and is well-known even off-campus.”
I glowed, knowing readership had dramatically increased since I’d become senior editor when only a sophomore. Lucius ruffled his large wings, then refolded them, an unconscious gesture. “Whenever there’s a university event, The Herald is there, expressing the views of the student population, sharing the voice of the future leaders of the world. The Herald logo is synonymous with college ideals—liberty, equality, hope for the future.”
“So”—I cleared my throat, sitting straighter—“you believe the Butchers are denouncing these ideals, trying to destroy that hope.”
“I believe they plan to crush Gladium with fear, erasing the brighter future idealized by a free, desegregated nation, such as ours. I don’t believe the murders are part of a cult ritual at all. I believe the murders are being used to make Gladium fall on a much grander scale.” Lucius’s voice vibrated with building fury. His eyes flared.
