The Unholy Trinity

In on the Secret (Chloey's POV)

It’s strange that I was simultaneously in the best and worst time of my life. 

My love life was thriving. Being with Rune was absolutely amazing. It was everything I thought it would be. We were moving incredibly fast, but that’s okay. It was like we wanted to make up for lost time. I was falling in love at an alarming rate, but I didn’t care. Rune  was incredible. 

On the other hand my sisters were in a feud unlike anything they’ve ever been in. We don’t usually fight so this was hard to work through. It’s uncharted territory. I didn’t want to pick sides at all, but I kind of agreed with Joey. Zoey should mind her own business. What she and Marsden did didn’t concern us at all. 

But then a part of me knew that Zoey was right. Marsden was probably in some deep trouble. Joey always tells me he has a lot to prove but she never specifies who he has to prove himself to. I’m worried it’s Count Killoran. And if he’s involved, that means Joey is right along with him. And of course I cared about that, but I knew  this wasn’t the way to get her to admit it. Joey hated being pushed. 

At this point I just figure if she’s really deep in trouble she’ll tell me and then we’ll figure it out from there. But I would not make her feel isolated and like Marsden is the only person who loves and cares about her happiness, because that just isn’t true. That of course didn’t stop me from being terrified for her.

--

"Am I not doing job work?” Rune’s head popped out from under the covers. “You usually go crazy when I do that.”

“Sorry Rune,” I groaned. “I’m just thinking about the whole situation with Joey and Zoey. It’s getting out of hand.”

“I get it,” He laid next to me. “I mean you girls are closer than any siblings I know and this mess is really causing trouble with you guys.”

“What do you think? Do you think Marsden is dangerous?”

“Dangerous? No. But in danger? Maybe. And yeah I guess that means Joey is too. I just don’t think he’s purposely putting her in danger.”

“And what do I do about that?” I asked. 

“ Not what Zoey and Tate are. If Joey is in trouble she needs someone she trusts. It should be at least one of her sisters so that if things get too overwhelming she has someone to go to.”

“I want her to come to me,”

Rune smiled. “Then just be there for her when she needs it.” He pulled me to him and kissed my forehead. “You’re the best listener I know. She’s gonna come to you, I promise.”

I really hoped he was right.

--

“Do you feel as sad as I do?”

“What are you sad about?” Joey asked. 

“I just feel like we all are in different places. Doing different things, hanging out with different people.” I sighed. 

“Yeah, but it’s okay. We’re all growing up and getting lives of our own. We don't have to do everything together.”

“Promise me again we’re growing up and now growing apart?” I whispered. “I mean we barely speak to Zoey right now. I’m worried."

“Don’t worry about things with Zoey.” She assured me. “That will work itself out.”

“How?” I asked. “I mean you and Zoey are fighting like crazy. How do you know things will become better? I mean all these accusations are insane. How are you going to forgive her?”

Joey looked around and then sighed. “Because she’s right.”

“What...what do you mean?” 

“Zoey and Tate are right about everything. Marsden has been turned. He has a task that kind of involves Magnus. He blew up the office and kind of cursed Jade.”

“Joey, this is not funny.” I whispered. 

“I’m not joking, hun. He-he doesn’t want to be a part of this, but his family is being punished. So he had to become a Dark Vampiric Warlock and if he fails...Count Killoran is going to kill him. Maybe me too.”

I couldn’t breathe. I could not comprehend a life without Joey. And knowing she was in danger for real terrified me to my core. 

“And you’re helping him?”

“As much as I can.” Joey breathed. “The barrier is insanely tricky.”

“You’re trying to take down the barrier?”  I hissed. 

“It’s either that or Magnus has to die,”

“You hate Dark Vampiric Warlocks, Joey. More than any of us. What are you doing with him?” I questioned. I was trying to fully understand her situation without judging her, but it was hard. 

“I had already fallen in love with him by the time I found out about everything else. Remember when you guys got us back together? This is what he was lying about. You know how powerfully I already felt for him by then. Chloey, I have never felt this way about anyone else, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn't let him go. I have to save him.”

“And you think you can?”

“I know I can.”

I sighed heavily, thinking everything over. “So how are you going to do that?”

“What I’m about to tell you no one else knows. Not even Marsden.” Joey started. “Magnus knows everything. About Marsden being a Dark Vampiric Warlock and his mission. He’s more than aware.”

What the heck?! “So why doesn’t he stop this?”

“I still don’t exactly know, but he has this plan. I...I can’t do it without you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. We have this connection Chloey. Magnus says the fate of the Witching Domain is resting on me...on us. I need you.”

“How?”

“Magnus needs me on the Dark Vampiric Warlock side. So I have to have someone else on the other side. Someone I can talk to without anyone knowing. Our minds are linked, Chloey.”

“What like...our mental connection?” I asked. “I haven’t felt it in months.”

“That’s because of the mind spells. I use them so you and Zoey wouldn’t know what I’m feeling. I can stop that and let you into my mind.” She explained. “Things are going to change drastically at some point and we’ll need that mental connection. We can save the Witching Domain, Chloey. You just have to trust me.”

I wanted to trust her so badly. She was my sister and I knew she would never do anything purposely this bad. She must have a good reason for all of this. And if Magnus was giving her these orders, he must know something we don’t. 

“Why are you telling me this?” I whispered. “What’s different now?”

“Magnus said I had to tell you. I would tell Zoey, but she’s too deep in this. She’s completely on Tate’s side. She couldn't handle anything within this plan. But you can, Chloey.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. Why was Magnus in on all of this? Why would he be okay with Marsden needing to kill him? 

“I want to talk to Magnus.” I stated. “Together.”

--

We sat in front of Magnus the next day. I wasn’t sure what to say. He seemed shockingly calm for a man who was aware that a distraught twenty year old was trying to take down the school’s barrier and possibly kill him.

“So Joey has told you of our plan?”

“Yes, I just...I don’t understand, Director.” I admitted. “Why are you allowing Marsden to do all of these things?”

“Because if Count Killoran thinks he’s not trying he will murder him and possibly his mother and sister. Marsden is being punished for someone else’s mistakes.”

“That’s what Joey said. So he doesn’t know about this plan right?”

“I want to tell him but Magnus says I can’t.” Joey responded. “Apparently the plan won’t work that way.”

“Marsden wouldn’t try as hard if he knew I knew. He wouldn’t trust me and it would ruin everything. He has no idea I’ve given him everything he needs to take down the barrier and he’s very close.” Magnus looked almost proud.

“Well what if he gets impatient and decides to kill you?'' I questioned.

“He won’t,” Joey whispered. “Marsden is not a killer. I know that and Magnus does too, even if Marsden doesn’t know it for himself just yet. He won’t be able to do it, he’s already crumbling under the pressure.”

I rubbed my temples trying to process it all. “So what happens after the barrier is down?”

“That is something to be discussed later.” Magnus answered. “Until then, we need to focus on the link between your minds.”

“Like us feeling the same things. How is that going to help anything?”

“Not just feeling, but communicating through your minds.”

“We can do that?” I questioned. “How?”

“Do you know how rare triplet witches are? The power you three possess is unlike anything ever seen. With some practice you can learn how to communicate using only your minds.”

“You think we can handle something so perilous? Joey says the fate of the world is depending on us? Why? We’re not Highmores! Where does Tate fit in all of this?”

“Tate has his own things to deal with. He is not to know about any of this, this is why unfortunately we must leave Zoey in the dark about this until the last moment. Her feelings for Tate will cloud her judgment. If she knows all that needs to happen she will not agree to this.” He explained. 

“What about Rune? Can I tell him?” I asked. 

“Do you think he could keep such a secret from his best friend?” 

“Honestly…maybe, I don’t know. So right now only the three of us know of this plan?”

“Also my wife. Marsden will be aware much later, but for now it is just the people in this room and the Chancellor.”

“What do you say Chloey?” Joey asked. “Wanna help save the world?”

I groaned. “Alright, fine. Now let’s talk about this mind communication. I want to know everything.”

--

“Is there something I don’t know?” Zoey asked. 

“Many things I’d imagine.” Joey laughed. 

Zoey made a face at her. “No seriously. You guys have been kind of weird lately.”

“It’s nothing.” I assured her. “Rune and I have been really intense in our relationship so that’s a little weird, but I’m happy about it.”

“Marsden is stressed which makes me stressed, which makes him even more stressed.” Joey sighed. “He’s also being annoying.”

I hated that we couldn’t tell Zoey the truth, but it was for the greater good. 

“Yeah Tate is pretty stressed too.” Zoey offered. “All those meetings with Magnus are taking their toll.”

Does she mean our meetings? Does she know about everything? It’s over, we’ve been found out.

“Yes, his hunter duties.”  Joey nodded. 

Right of course. Magnus already told us that Tate would have other things to deal with. I need to calm down.

“Hey baby.” Marsden had come up from behind us. “I missed you.”

“Did you?”

“You’re cranky.”

“You’re a prick.” Joey shot back.

“But you love me.” He grinned.

Joey couldn't help but smile back before kissing him. “Yeah I guess.”

Weirdly enough finding out the truth has made me like them together even more. Joey was risking so much to save him and Marsden was doing everything in his power to protect her. Sure he put her in danger the moment he fell in love with her, but he didn’t mean to. 

“How are you Marsden?” Zoey asked. 

“Fine. I mean your sister drives me crazy, but what’s new?” He chuckled. 

Zoey was really trying with Marsden and I think that’s admirable. I wonder what changed her mind. 

“There you are.” Rune sat next to me and kissed me. “Been looking everywhere for you. I thought you were going to help me study.”

“I thought we were doing that later?” I asked. 

“Well I kind of wanted to do it now.”

Oh he’s talking about s*x. 

“We’ll study to your heart’s content after this.”

“Good.”

“You guys having a party without me?” Oh goodness now Tate was here. I hoped this wouldn’t be awkward.

“Yes, and now you’ve ruined it.”  Zoey joked before kissing him on the cheek. “How are you, love?”

“Overwhelmed as usual.”

“Lovely.” 

We all stared at each other, unsure of what to say now. We hadn’t gathered like this with just the six of us ever. I wanted to say something to ease the tension but couldn’t think of anything. 

“Did you guys hear Amala Roswell flooded the room during Enchantments?”  Zoey asked. 

“Again?” Rune laughed. “She’s been flooding rooms since we started here!”

“Wait, this is an ongoing occurrence?” Joey asked.

“Oh, yeah, babe.” Marsden said. “It’s just a part of her personality now.”

“How does she keep doing that?” I pondered. 

“It must be a talent or something.” Tate said, causing us to laugh.

This was nice.

“Well don’t you all look cozy.” Cade had approached us. “Everyone is getting along now. How fun.”

“Cade please just leave us alone.” I groaned. “You and I are way over. You’re with Raina!”

“Yes, and I guess I have Tate and Rune to thank for that. Thank you Marsden for being the only guy at this table not rooting for my downfall.”

“Sure, man. Um, we’re just having a conversation, so maybe we can catch up later?” Marsden suggested. 

“So you and Highmore are best friends now? After what he did to you?”  Cade questioned. 

“It was an accident.” Tate informed him.

“Yeah just like you butting in mine and Chloey’s relationship.”

“You know Tate makes a lot of mistakes, but that wasn’t one of them.” Joey said. “You should have never lied to my sister. This is your fault.”

“I made a mistake.”

“You purposely lied.” Zoey shook her head. “Don’t be mad at Tate for that.”

“Can I be mad at Rune for stealing my girlfriend.” He asked. 

“If you want.” Ron shrugged. “I saw an opportunity and I went for it. And you know what? I haven’t lied to her at all.”

“You really are a prick! You’re going to pay for what you’ve done.”

Joey stood up. “Pickerin, you have five seconds to get the hell out of here! And after that you will not harass my sister or Rune ever again.”

“Marsden, control your girlfriend.” Cade rolled his eyes.

“Oh god.” Marsden whispered as Joey stepped up on the table and tackled Cade to the ground. 

It was all happening so fast, but I knew Joey was making good on her promise to break his nose. I noticed Marsden waited a few moments before going to pull her off of Cade. Almost like he wanted her to get a few hits in. 

“You’re crazy!” Cade screamed, scrambling up. Blood was dripping from his nose.

“I’ll do worse if you come near us again!” Joey shouted. 

“I’d get out of here if I were you, I can only hold her so long.” Marsden warned.

Cade hurried off and Marsden released Joey. “What a prick.”  She shook her head and sat down.

“Thank you.” Rune smiled. “No one has ever stood up for me like that. I owe you one.”

“No you don’t, Rune.” Joey assured him.

I now realized that she did it because she was trying to make up for Marsden accidentally hurting him. 

I had the best sister in the world.