The Unholy Trinity

Out of Whack

Joey’s POV

I stared at Marsden. 

With all the enchantments gone, I now knew what he was. His big secret was looking me right in the face. He was something that had ruined my life and my family. 

My eyes raked over him, taking in the changes. His now gold eyes were glowing, surrounded by red. His fangs protruded slightly, glinting in the light from the fairy dust. His skin was paler than ever. My eyes fell on his right arm. The inside of his wrist had two puncture marks where he had been bitten.

Marsden Thorton was a Dark Vampiric Warlock. 

“No…” I whispered. “Marsden not you…”

“Baby just listen to me, please.” His voice sounded different too. 

“Everyone was right about you. But I didn’t listen...I trusted you.”

“I know, Joey, but I need you to listen to me, please let me explain!” Marsden begged. 

“Fine.” I whispered. 

“I owe a debt. My father’s debt. He failed to do what he was supposed to do and he got caught, so the responsibility fell on me. Count Killoran was gonna kill my whole family if I didn’t make it up to him. I couldn’t let them die, I had to step up.”

“So...you don’t want this?”

“No! But...it's what I have to do to save my family. I had to make the sacrifice.”  Marsden breathed.

“Where are you always going?” I asked. 

“I have to take down the barrier. So I have to kill Director Magnus. I um, I put Jade under that curse-”

“She almost killed me.”

“And that wasn’t what I wanted! I just-I need him dead, Joey!”

“But why?”

“He’s connected to the barrier. He used his own blood to put it. If I kill him, it comes down. He has something hidden here that Count Killoran wants.”

“Can’t you find another way to take down the barrier?” I asked.

“I’m trying Joey! You think I want to kill him? I don’t, but I have to. Otherwise my whole family dies.”

Of course now I understood why Marsden didn’t tell me his secret, but now that I knew, could I actually stay with him? He was a Dark Vampiric Warlock. The very thing I hated. I couldn’t do this.

“Get out Marsden,” I sighed. “I can’t do this, you have to go.”

“Joey...you made me tell you! You said I would lose you if I didn’t.”

“It’s too much...just go.”

Marsden sighed before waving his hand. He went back to normal. “You have to get off of me.”

I stayed in my spot. Suddenly the thought of him leaving was scarier than what he had just told me. Not having him was worse than this. I couldn’t let him go.

“Wait...after you destroy the barrier, you’re out, right? N-no more of this?”

“I could lie and say yes, but I don’t think so. I think I’m in this for as long as Count Killoran is around.” Marsden said. “This is my life.”

“Okay.” I murmured.

“Meaning?”

“Then it’s my life too. I can’t lose you.”

Marsden kissed me hard. “Why?”

“You’re still the best person I know.” I admitted. “Somehow this doesn’t change that.”

“Jo, getting involved with me is dangerous. Maybe we should stop before we get in too deep.”

“Too late.”

“But your dad and brother-”

“Are horrible people. You aren’t.” I stated. “I’m in this with you.”

“You can’t tell anyone. Not even your sisters.” Marsden warned. 

“But we can feel each other's emotions.”

“I can teach you to block them out. Becoming a Vampiric Warlock comes with a lot of power.”

I nodded. “Okay. I can’t believe I’m sleeping with a Dark Vampiric Warlock.”

“And I’m not even the first one.” Marsden laughed slightly. I looked at him quizzically. “Bryce is one too. That’s why I didn't want you near him.”

“Wow,” I whispered. “All men do is lie.”

Zoey’s POV

I now understood why Joey was so s*x craved.

Sex had become the most thrilling part of my existence and it was also the only time thoughts of Tate Highmore didn’t infiltrate my mind. 

Sex with Zander was exhilerating. I felt safe and adored above anything else. Zander was infatuated with me and that’s the way I liked him. 

“Fuck...you’re so beautiful.” Zander whispered as he moved in and out of me slowly.

He liked slow, more intimate s*x. He said it made him feel closer to me. 

I reached up to kiss him passionately. His tongue swirled around mine as his moans filled my mouth. Feeling Zander so deep inside of me was sending me to another world. The headboard banged continuously against the wall as my moans got louder.

“Faster,” I begged. “Baby just a little faster.”

As always, Zander obliged. He gasped as his speed increased. 

“Oh Zoey!” He whimpered.

A smile came across my face as he continued to slam into me. He was so close. I had to take him there. I pushed his head down next to mine. 

“You’re f*****g perfect Zander. You feel so good inside of me. Finish for me baby.”

Zander’s breath caught in his throat as he groaned loudly. He gasped for air as he looked down at me with a grin.  He collapsed next to me happily. 

He sighed. “Perfect as always.”

--

“Hey Zoey, wait up!” I saw Tate running over to me. 

“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked.

“Good, good. Just wanted to catch up. It’s hard to get you alone these days.”

“Yeah, I guess Zander and I are pretty attached at the hip. How are you?”

“Not great. Me and Raina are hanging on by a thread. Don’t know how much longer we’ll be together.”

Why was he telling me this? It's like he wanted me to know they were having trouble or something.

“Hopefully you can work it out.”

“Is that what you really want?” He asked.

“Well, Tate, it's not about what I want. It’s your relationship.”

“I know it’s just...we were on the path to something, weren’t we?”

“I thought so, but no.” I said firmly. “You were with Raina and you kissed me and lied. What did you think we were gonna have an affair or something?”

“No, I-I was gonna leave her.” He insisted. “It was just too hard.”

“Well, don’t do it now on my account.”

“I’m breaking up with her after Yuletide..”

“I don’t care, I’m with Zander.” I said.

Tate shook his head. “When are you gonna admit that you’re with him to bother me?”

“Never. Because I’m not. You may be the future of the Witching Domain, but that doesn’t mean the world revolves around you. Piss off.”

I stormed off, absolutely furious. Who does Tate Highmore think he is? He thinks he just controls my emotions or something? He thinks he’s so important that I have a charade of a relationship just for him? Oh he’s so conceited. I can’t believe I ever had a crush on him. 

I didn’t like Tate Highmore. I think I hated him.

Chloey’s POV

Pretending to like Cade Pickerin was much easier said than done.

It's just so hard pretending that I'm actually attracted to him. He's so conceited, it's ridiculous! And don't even get me started on his disregard for personal space.

He always had to kiss my hand and cheek whenever he saw me or said goodbye to me. I would ask him to stop, but I'm pretty sure it's driving Rune crazy. That's the only reason I was putting up with Cade.

I saw how jealous Rune was when I was telling the girls that I had asked him. And Rune was even talking to me again, much to Lavina's dislike.

I keep telling myself I only have to deal with him until the Yuletide party. I'm definitely not letting this act go on any longer than that. I couldn’t handle it.

Cade insisted I wear a nice, bright color for the party because he had ties that went well with colors such as coral and seafoam green. So I went with black.

A short black sequined dress that made me feel sexier than I’d ever had. I'd usually never wear something so short or tight but Joey said it's gorgeous and that made me feel so much better about it. Cade said he looked better in all black anyways. 

He's the worst.

***

“Can we talk about something?” I asked my sisters.

“Sure.” Joey answered. 

“The forcefield...what was that? A-and the lightning we attacked Jade with?”

They exchanged looks. “I don’t know, Chlo.” Zoey said finally. “Maybe our powers are growing?”

“But why?” I pressed. “Is it because of the war and all of that?”

“No,” Joey stated. “Look, we’re young adults. We're in a weird time of love and feelings and our powers are a little out of whack.”

“Our power saved Director Magnus.” I said. 

“Yeah, but we didn’t do it on purpose. Look...why don’t we ask mom when we go home for Yuletide?”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Zoey admitted. 

“Good, now let’s talk about the Yuletide party!” Joey grinned. 

"I'm actually so excited for it.” Zoey giggled.

"Why? Because you get to flaunt how wonderful your relationship with Zander is in front of Tate over drinks and hors d'oeuvres?" Joey asked.

Zoey shot her a look. "No. It just sounds like a lot of fun. And Zander said he was going to make the night special."

"How?" I asked. "You guys have been sleeping together for quite some time."

"s*x isn't the only way to make a night special, Chloey." 

"Um, what else can make a night special then?" Joey asked.

"I guess I'll find out." Zoey shrugged.

"Well, I'm excited too," Joey said. "It took a bit of convincing, but Marsden has agreed to go with me."

"How did you manage that?" I asked.

"I told him I was going to ask someone else." She smirked.

"How are you guys by the way?" Zoey asked. "Did he tell you what was going on?"

Joey cleared her throat. "Yep, we're all good now." She played with the ring on her right ring finger. Marsden had shrunk it to fit her finger. 

“What are we talking about?” Simone sat with us.

“My boyfriend.” Joey smiled. 

“Now, I’ll be honest, I don’t really like Marsden, but I cannot help but smile when I see you two together.” Simone told her. “He really cares about you.”

Joey smiled. “Yeah, he really does. He treats me like gold.”

“Good, cuz that was a real rough patch you guys went through.” Zoey pointed out.

"Yeah, um actually I should go find him. Gotta coordinate outfits.” Joey waved before hurrying off.

“Did you feel that when Joey was talking about Marsden?” Zoey asked me.

“No, I didn’t feel anything.” I answered. 

“Exactly. There was nothing. Why is that?”

Maybe our powers were more out of whack than we thought.