The Unholy Trinity

Yuletide Party (Joey's POV)

I think I loved Marsden.

I wasn’t sure how. We hadn’t known each other that long and there was no way I should have these feelings, but I did. He was all that mattered to me and I needed him. I just wasn’t sure how to tell him.

“So, Magnus’ party.” I started.

“What about it, love?” Marsden asked.

“You’re going with me right?”

“I don't know Joey. I mean I don't think I'm in the mood for a party.”

“Which is exactly why you should go. Don’t you want just one night to not think about your awful mission? To just dance with me and show me off to a room full of people?”

“At the party of the man I’m supposed to kill?” He asked.

“Alright, but just so you know, I never go stag to a party. So if you don’t go with me, I'll find someone else to.” I shrugged.

Marsden stared at me for a moment before kissing me hard. I kissed him back. Things escalated pretty fast. I loved making love to Marsden. He gave me his full attention and he handled me better than any other boy ever had. And what we did wasn’t just f*****g or s*x. This was real true love making. Something I had never done.

“You’re not finding anyone else.” He whispered, thrusting into me. “I’ll go. I’ll do anything you want me to.”

I guess it's true when they say you can make a guy do pretty much anything during s*x. 

“I want you to make love to me all night long.” I moaned.

“Don’t have to tell me twice.”

***

I waited nervously in the Entrance Hall for Marsden. My sisters’ dates had already arrived and suddenly I got worried that maybe Marsden wasn't coming, but then he was coming down the stairs.

I wanted to just float away when I saw him looking at me. How was it possible for another person to look at someone else like they hung the stars in the sky? Like they were the most exceptional person.

“You look absolutely stunning.” Marsden placed his hands on my face and kissed me. “I am the luckiest person on this planet to have you.”

“You don't look so bad yourself, Thorton.” I smiled. “You’re kinda good looking, you know?”

“I’ve always said it's my best quality.” 

“It's not.”

“Oh really?” He raised his eyebrows. “So what is?”

“Your heart.” I smiled.

“Only because it's in your hands.” He kissed me again.

“I think it's time to go.” We walked over to the party hand in hand and my excitement escalated. We really were gonna have a drama free night.

Talking with Magnus’ guests was easy enough. Everyone was so nice and I did really well in crowds. Marsden was incredibly charming and easily dodged questions about his family. I was so happy he was forgetting about his mission. 

“Hey baby, I just need some air okay?” Marsden asked after about an hour. 

“Yeah of course. I’m gonna see what's up with my sisters.”

“Sounds good.” He kissed me. “ I love you babe.”

“I love you too.”

We both stared at each other before Marsden turned around and left.

Oh my god, that did not just happen! We said we loved each other. He felt the same way I did. I spotted Misty and Keene at the back of the room.

“So things got kind of intense with Marsden.” I told Misty.

“I thought you guys were already having s*x?” She asked.

“We have been. And that's been amazing but we kinda just took the step after that.”

“Marriage?” Keene asked.

I groaned. “No, we just said I love you to each other.”

“Holy s**t, who said it first?” Misty asked.

“He did.” 

“Wow he must mean it then.” Keene said. “Marsden doesn't say things he doesn't mean. And I definitely believe he loves you.”

“Yeah I do too. I guess it just caught me off guard but it felt right.” I smiled.

“You give me hope that one day I can tame this guy here.” Misty smiled.

“Aw, babe come on, we've been together for a week. Give me some time to fall in love with you.”

“You've had years!” 

I saw Chloey making her way through the crowd. It looked like she had just escaped an attack or something.

I was beside myself as Chloey was admitting that she liked Cade.

Chloey freaked out when she saw Cade coming and ran off.

“She went to the restroom.” I informed Cade.

“Your sister is...wow. She's a little minx isn’t she?”

“Not usually.” Zoey laughed.

“Well maybe it's something I bring out in her? I do drive girls a little crazy.”

“Listen here Pickerin.” I said. “You want my sister’s heart, you gotta stop acting like a prick. She's a very precious and special girl and she deserves the absolute best. So you better be the absolute best for her or I'm gonna curse you into next year.”

“I-I want to be.” He said seriously. “I really like her.”

“Then show her that.” Zoey said simply. “And don’t be an asshole. She's not into that.”

“Okay. I'm gonna go see if I can find her.”

“There you are babe.” Zander kissed Zoey. “Been all over looking for you. I thought you were just getting a drink?”

“I was but got pulled into some Rosaria drama.” She chuckled.

“You girls are crazy.” He laughed. “Good to see you Joey. In case Thorton hasn't told you, you look beautiful.”

I really did like Zander for Zoey. He's the sweetest guy ever and worships the ground Zoey walks on. Not to mention he's a babe. 

“Aw thanks Zander. He has but I don't mind hearing it from another handsome gentleman.”

I ended up talking to Simone. I enjoyed her. She reminded me so much of both of my sisters. Funny, sweet, brilliant. Honestly Paxton is the lucky one.

Yelling caught my attention. Someone was screaming at Marsden.

“You think you’re welcome here, Thorton? After everything your horrible father has done? You’re probably just like him! You deserve to be locked up!”

Marsden just stood there and took it. 

I pulled him to me after the guy left.

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Colin McNulty...my dad...paralyzed his. I need a minute.”

He practically ran out. I noticed Sage Redwood followed him out. I couldn’t just stay there, I had to follow them.

“I’m handling it!” Marsden said fiercely as I approached him. “I don’t need your help, let me do my job!”

“Marsden, I’m acting under the orders of Count Killoran. I’m supposed to be watching out for you.” She hissed.

I was in shock. She was a family friend. She still came around after dad left. She took care of us when Mom had a bad day. All the while she was a Dark Vampiric Warlock.”

“I don’t need a f*****g keeper!”

“Marsden.” I said quietly.

“Joey, sweetie, go back to the party.” Sage Redwood forced a smile.

“She knows. I told her.” Marsden informed her.

“How could you do that?” She asked almost hysterically. “Marsden, you're putting her in danger!”

“We don't keep secrets. I care about her.”

“Then why would you put her in this position? If Count Killoran knows you have someone you care deeply about, she will suffer if you fail. You have to end this!”

“No.” I said firmly. “He can do it. I-I can handle this.”

“Honey, did he mention if he fails he will suffer a severe consequence?”

“How severe?” I asked.

“H-he’ll kill me.” Marsden whispered. 

My heart dropped into my stomach. There's no way. “Then you won't fail, Marsden. I’ll help you.”

“Joey, you do realize this is serious? The moment you decide to become serious with Marsden you are in grave danger.” Sage Redwood breathed. “You will be a target should Marsden need to be punished. Please don't do this.”

“My father and brother are in the same business. I’m always in danger. Hasn’t scared me yet and I'm not about to let it scare me now. I can't lose him.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Just like your mother. I tried to warn her too. Look at what she's gone through.”

“Marsden is different.” I said.

“If you’re going to do this, be careful! I can't tell you want to do, but Joey I just need you to think about this. And Marsden...you better take care of her or Count Killoran won’t be the only thing you have to worry about.”

She squeezed my hand before walking off.

“Well I definitely didn't know she was a Dark Vampiric Warlock.” I shook my head in shock. 

“Yeah me neither at first.” 

“Why didn't you tell me it was that serious?”

“I thought it would scare you away. I can't lose you.” He whispered. “You mean too much. I-I love you Joey.”

I swallowed hard. I was more terrified than ever. Not of Count Killoran. But because I was really about to give my heart to Marsden Thorton. 

“I love you too, Marsden and I meant every word that I said. I’m all in with this. I will help you, we will do this together. You won't fail.”

He kissed me. “You realize you can never leave me? I don't know what I'd do. I think I might die.”

“Is it absolutely mad that I feel the exact same way?”

**

We returned to the party and tried to get some semblance of normalcy after that chilling talk with Redwood. I tried my best not to think about it, but I just couldn’t help it. Marsden could die. I could lose him. And what the hell was I thinking saying I could help him? I can’t murder our Director. I wasn’t a murderer. But then again, neither was Marsden. 

“Come home with me.” I said suddenly while we were slow dancing.

“What?” He asked, slightly amused.

“For Yuletide. Come home with me. I don’t want you going back to that Manor. I want you with me.”

“Joey, I-I don’t know if I can. What about my mom and my sister? They're miserable and worried. Hopefully they won’t be for much longer though.”

“Let me come home with you then.” I said. 

Marsden laughed this time until realizing I was serious. “Joey, babe. You cannot come home with me. Things at my house...they’re...well you just can’t be there.”

“Then come home with me. I’m not spending this break without you.”

“Alright, I’ll write to Mother and see if she’s okay with me spending Yuletide with your family. You really want me to meet your mom?”

“More than anything.”

“But she knows about my family. And she works with the Chancellor. I just...don’t want to embarrass you.”

“Marsden, I’m not ashamed of being with you. I don’t care what your family does and I don’t care what’s on your arm. You are everything to me. And nothing anyone else says will ever change my mind about that. I love you.” I said intensely before kissing him.

I pulled away and rested my head on his shoulder. I looked around the room at the other dancing couples. Chloey and Cade were dancing closest to us. She looked extremely happy to be in his arms. I cannot believe things worked out this way. Zoey and Zander were also dancing, but Zoey seemed kind of distracted. I wondered what had switched her mood like that. 

Keene and Misty were completely wrapped up in each other. I expected Tate to be dancing with Raina, but looking at Zoey, but I was wrong. He was looking at Marsden and me. I stared back and his gaze dropped.

Something about the way he was looking at us made me feel weird. It was almost suspicious. Did he know? 

No, of course he didn’t.