The Unholy Trinity

Caught in the Middle (Zoey's POV)

I’ve been stuck in the middle many times in my life. Between Joey and Chloey when they give advice. I didn’t know if I should go with Chloey’s well thought out decisions or Joey’s on a whim choices. I’ve been caught in the middle when Joey and my ex Liam would argue all the time. And when I was dating Zander but wanted Tate. 

Being stuck between Joey and Tate was by far the most difficult situation I’d ever been in. I loved them both so much. And I knew I should side with Joey since she’s my sister, but I knew Tate was right. She’s in danger and doing something really stupid. How could I support that? How could I pretend not to know she’s in peril and just let it happen? 

If in the process of saving her I ran the risk of losing her, then so be it. Her safety was what was most important and her being with Marsden Thorton was not safe at all. 

I did feel kind of bad about him being hurt, though. It really shouldn’t have gotten that far and Joey looked genuinely distraught. I’ve never seen her like that. I hope she doesn’t actually mean that we couldn’t hang out anymore. How do you just stop hanging out with your sister?

“Hey Chloey.” I smiled.

She didn’t look thrilled to see me. “Hi.”

“What’s up?”

“Nothing.”

“How are you and Rune?” I asked.

“Fine.” She said dully. 

“Did you guys want to join me and Tate on a picnic this weekend?”

“No.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“So you’re not completely oblivious.” Chloey said. 

“What did I do?”

“You chose a boy over our sister. You defended him when he put her in danger.”

“Marsden puts her in danger every day!”

“Does he?” Chloey asked. “You keep saying that, but until Tate attacked her and Marsden, Joey has been completely fine. It was Tate that made her hit her head, not Marsden. So the dangerous one seems to actually be your boyfriend.”

“Look, I understand what Tate did was wrong, but it was an accident. He didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“I don’t know that. He would do anything to get rid of Marsden at this point. And I don’t understand why that doesn’t scare you with Joey being in such close proximity.” She whispered. “I don’t know who you are these days. I never thought you’d put us last.”

“This is not me choosing Tate. Like he said it’s bigger than that.” I insisted. “Marsden is up to something.”

“Let’s say that’s true. What do you think he’s actually capable of? Huh? Honestly, Zoey think about it.”

“He’s the reason Rune got hurt. How can you overlook that?”

“I’m not overlooking it! If he did do it, he didn’t mean to. A-and I don’t know...maybe Rune and I wouldn’t have gotten together if that didn’t happen. Things happen for a reason.”

“So Marsden is allowed to accidentally blow up Rune but Tate can’t accidentally stab Marsden?” I questioned.

“One of those put Joey in danger. We always put our happiness and wellbeing first. We always have. You don’t anymore, Zoey.”

“Tate and I aren’t crazy! We’re not making this up!”

“You’re going about it the wrong way. You’re going to lose a lot and all you’ll have is Tate. So I hope you really do love him.” Chloey sighed. “I have to go. I’m late for meeting Joey.”

“You guys are having meetings without me?” 

“Yeah, we are. See you around.”

I watched as she walked away. I was starting to wonder if maybe I would lose both of my sisters.

--

“Hurting Marsden was an accident right?”

“Of course it was, Zoey. I wouldn’t try to kill him.” Tate responded. 

“And um...what about Joey? You didn’t try to hit her right?” I asked. 

“Maybe I wasn’t being as careful as I should have been. B-but so much was happening and I thought I finally got him.”

“You think he really would have broken up with her?”

“I don’t know. But he did say that she was ruining her life for him. He really was trying to do the right thing with her I think.”

“Well he must have gotten over that. They’re closer than ever now. I don’t know how I’m ever going to get her away from him.”

“Have you tried talking to her again?”

“Not yet. Her and Chloey are pretty furious with me right now.”

“Yeah, Rune’s been a little cold with me too.” Tate sighed. 

“Doesn’t he realize that Marsden was the one who hurt him and Raina? He should be furious with Marsden and Joey.”

“He said he doesn’t care. He said it led him to be with Chloey so it was worth it.”

“What is wrong with them?” I groaned. “When did my sisters become these love struck girls who think anything is worth it as long as they have their boyfriends?”

“Falling in love for the first time is pretty intense.” Tate pointed out. 

“Yeah that’s true. I guess I was pretty intense when it came to Liam. But not like this.”

“Well were the stakes as high?”

“Nope. I miss when life was simpler. Instead I’m worrying about my sister’s boyfriend possibly hurting our Director .”

“Speaking of Magnus, Joey was in his office today. She was leaving as I was going in.” Tate stated. 

“She say anything to you?” I questioned. 

“No, she pretended I wasn’t even there. But what do you think she was talking to Magnus about?”

“You didn’t ask him?”

“He basically told me it was none of my business and that I should focus on all the detention I’ll have for the rest of the year. I also have to lay off Marsden. He said I was lucky that I wasn't expelled for what happened.”

“Well we can't lay off for real.” I said. “I have to save Joey.”

“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do babe. I mean graduation is around the corner, I have to prepare for training.”

“Right. You actually have to save the world. You’re very busy.”

“I mean not too busy for my girlfriend.” He kissed me. “ I always have time for you.”

“Well, aren't I a lucky girl?” I giggled before kissing him again. “I love you.”

“I love you too Zoey. More than anything in this world.” We kissed once more, silently vowing that talking was done. 

I can’t help but wonder if I was being a hypocrite. If I loved Tate the same way that Joey loved Marsden and yet I thought her relationship was toxic and mine wasn’t. But Tate and I were on the right side. We weren’t doing anything wrong. Right?

--

I’d finally decided to try to talk to Joey again. I’d given up hope that I’d get her alone. I suppose Marsden can be here for this.

They’re kissing when I approached them. They didn’t even notice that I was standing in front of them. How did anyone find this cute? Marsden’s hands were holding Joey’s face and her arms were securely around his torso. She’s on her tiptoes to reach his lips. Isn’t that exhausting? Oh gross there’s tongue.

“Um hi.” I said. 

They slowly opened their eyes and broke apart. I was surprised to see the delirious look of love in their eyes for one another. How horrifyingly beautiful. 

“What do you want?” Joey asked, unlatching her arms from around Marsden.

“I just want to talk.”

“No thanks, we’re busy.”

“Joey.”  Marsden whispered. “You should talk. I have to go meet Keene anyways.”

“Marsden,” Joey whined. “I don’t like leaving you alone.”

“I won’t be alone. See Keene is coming over now.” He pointed and, sure enough Keene Creighton was making his way over to us. 

“Am I interrupting?” He asked. 

“Nope, let’s get going.” Marsden said. 

“You’re really leaving me here?” Joey asked. 

“Yes, love, I am. You know where to find me when you’re done.” He kissed her again. “I love you.”

“See ya Joey.” Keene waved. 

I hated when Marsden did this. It made me confused. Why did he want us to be so close? How does that help him at all? Wouldn’t he want her isolated and away from everyone who loves her?

“So?” Joey asked impatiently. 

“I wanted to...apologize.” 

Joey looked shocked. “Really? For what exactly?”

“I wasn’t a very good sister. I should have comforted you after what happened. So I’m sorry.”

“That doesn’t change anything. You and Tate are still going to harass us.”

“No, we’re not. We’re done with that.”

“Why?”

“We have nothing to go on and things are getting out of control. Bigger, more important things are happening right now.”

“Magnus actually talked to Tate huh?” Joey smiled slightly. “It’s about time.”

“What were you talking to Magnus about a few days ago?” I couldn’t help myself. 

“I just asked him to get Tate to stop. I didn’t want Marsden to be in danger anymore.” 

“That makes sense. I promise we are going to stop hassling you guys. I don’t want to lose you Joey, I love you so much. Please don’t let this come between us.”

She stared at me, thinking it over. I was holding my breath. I needed her to forgive me. “Fine. But this is the last time Zoey. I’m dead serious. No more accusations and following and crazy theories.”

“No more.” I promised. 

“Okay, but I'm still skeptical about Tate being around Marsden. He hasn’t apologized at all and I don't think I trust him.”

“Do you trust me?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed. “This year has severed a lot of trust between us. And I know some of that is my fault, but still, I don’t know.”

“That’s fair. We’ll get there.” I smiled. 

“Sure.” Joey nodded. She got distracted by someone behind me. “I have to go talk to Chloey about something. I’ll see you later though.”

“So, we’re good, right?” I asked.

“Yes, Zoey, we are.” She hugged me before running off. 

I sighed in relief. This was good. Joey and I would be in a good place again. I decided that I really was going to leave this alone. Joey would come to me when she was ready. Hopefully by then it wouldn’t be too late. 

--

Something was going on. I just spotted Joey and Chloey exiting Magnus's office. They both looked a little grim. I wondered why. Now I felt like they were both hiding something from me. Meetings without me, secret meetings with Magnus? What’s going on?

I decided to go right to the source.

“Zoey, I was surprised that you wanted to have a talk with me.”

“Well you’ve talked to my sisters. Guess I felt a little left out.”

“I see.” Magnus smiled. “So what would you like to discuss?”

“I’m worried about Joey. I think she’s headed down the wrong path and she’s in danger. Because of Marsden Thorton.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. You and Tate are under the impression that Joey and Marsden have devious motives in relation to me.” I nodded. “I have spoken to them and I assure you that Marsden Thorton will not harm me.”

“But how do you know for sure? They’ve been sneaking around and scheming. They are up to something, Director.” I insisted. 

“From what I gathered from the sages, they have a rather intense relationship. I believe they like privacy.”

Great. He believed that they just wanted to have s*x.

“What about the attempt on your life? The explosion?” I questioned. 

“Zoey, I’m sure you can imagine many people would like to see me meet my demise because of who I married. This is not the first time attempts on my life have been made and it won’t be the last. I am grateful that you're concerned with my wellbeing, but you don’t need to be.” Magnus assured me. 

“So you really believe that Marsden isn’t a danger to you?”

“I don’t. And as for Joey, she is simply supporting him in this very difficult time in his life. That is all, I promise you.”

I studied him. I was so confused. Did Tate and I really have this all wrong? All the signs were there, how could it be anything other than what we think it is?

“Okay.” I sighed. “Thank you for speaking to me, Director. But what was Chloey doing here yesterday?”

“I was letting her know that Joey would be okay and asking if she had any tips for tutoring Marsden.”

“Oh. Okay. Well I think that answers everything. Thank you again.” For nothing.

“Of course Zoey. You know your sisters care about you very much. As does Tate. You don’t have to choose one or the other. Balance is important”

“Um, thank you.” 

I left more confused than when I had entered. Am I supposed to just let all of this go now? I had done everything I could. Maybe it was best to truly stop this and focus on mending my relationships with my sisters.