The Unholy Trinity

Induction (Joey's POV)

“Joey, you cannot go home with Marsden!” Zoey exclaimed.

“Yeah, and why not?” I rolled my eyes. 

“We never spend holidays without each other,” Chloey pointed out. 

“We’re grown ups now, Chlo. We have different lives.” 

“So we’re growing apart?” 

“No, we’re growing up,” I clarified. “Look it doesn’t even make sense for us to spend Vernal Tide together. You guys are gonna be at the Crimson’s and I don’t belong there.”

“You and Rune are friends,” Chloey pointed out. 

“Yeah, we eat meals together or whatever, but I don’t need to be in his home. Not to mention, I broke his sister’s nose and the last time we had a meal with Raina, things went really poorly!”

“I guess those are kind of good reasons,” Zoey muttered. “What are you and Marsden even going to do?”

“Hang out with his sister and mom, family dinners, I don’t know. But it’ll be nice to get away and hang out with my future family. I mean I’m gonna have a new sister!”

“You already have two, why do you need another one?” Zoey demanded. 

I squeezed her cheek. “Don’t worry Zo-Zo I won’t let anyone replace you guys.”

“This is gonna be the longest we’ve ever been apart,” Chloey said quietly. 

“It’s two weeks, Chlo. We gotta cut the umbilical cord some time. You know we graduate in a few months and we’re gonna be doing different things. You didn’t think we’d live together forever, did you?”

“Yeah, kinda.”

I hugged them both. “I love you guys. I’ll be fine. I think this time apart will be really good for us. We’ll be back before you know it and you guys can bother me to your heart’s content, okay?” I asked.

“Fine,” They chorused. 

“Good. Now I really gotta go pack, see you at dinner!”

I left my sisters, honestly wishing that I could go with them.

--

Being back at the Thorton’s was strange. 

I wondered if the house always had that air of sadness about it or if that happened after Regan was sent to prison. 

Brielle looked excited when she saw me. She jumped on me and hugged me tightly.

“I missed you!” She exclaimed. “We have to spend every second together!”

“No, you don’t.” Marsden frowned. “She’s my girlfriend.”

“Aren’t you gonna be kinda busy, Mars?” Brielle raised her eyebrows. 

“Shut up Brielle,” 

“Oh you’re home!” Sabrine Thorton exclaimed as she breezed into the room. 

Once again, she relaxed, having Marsden in her arms again. “And Joey, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“You too. My mom sends her best.” I smiled. 

“I still can’t believe she let you come here,” Brielle admitted. 

“She really likes Marsden.”

“Ew why?”

“Anyways mother…is he here?” Marsden asked nervously. 

Sabrine shook her head. “No, that will be another day. Tonight we have the ceremony."

“What kind of people?” Marsden asked. 

Marsden nervously ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay, Joey and I are going to get ready.”

He pulled me up to his room. It looked just like I thought it would. Dark and neat. 

“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Marsden whispered. 

“Yes, you should have. We’re supposed to stick together, I can handle this.”

“I don’t want you around Dark Vampiric Warlocks.”

“I sleep with one every night.”

“It’s different! These are real bad guys! And they’ll expect me to be just like my father. Who knows what they’ll do when they realize I’m nothing like him?” Marsden asked. 

“Why don’t I wear something low cut to distract them?” I suggested. 

Marsden couldn't help but smile. “I love you, Joey.”

“I love you more. We got this.”

Now more than ever I was so glad my sisters couldn’t tell what I was feeling.

--

Because I wasn’t a Dark Vampiric Warlock I wasn’t allowed to know exactly where we were going. I was blinded on the way there.

When the blindfold was taken off, I was in an extremely dark room that was dimly lit. It seemed kind of underground. 

“Where are we?” I asked Marsden.

“I can’t tell you, babe, sorry. Only those with puncture wounds can know the exactly location.”

“What about your mom and Brielle?” Marsden glanced at the floor. “Them too?”

“Well mom has been one for ages but tonight…it’s Brielle’s turn.” Marsden muttered. 

“What?” I whispered. 

“I know it’s a punishment for me. Because I haven’t succeeded. Count Killoran is making Brielle become one too and it’s all my fault.”

“I’m sure Brielle doesn’t see it that way,” I assured him. 

“Well, I do.”

I looked around, hoping that I would be able to remember everything I possibly could about this night. It would be great information to give back to Director Magnus. I’m sure he and his wife would love to know what Dark Vampirica Warlocks got up to.

Sabrine insisted Marsden introduce me around so that no one would feel uncomfortable with an outsider. However, just one mention of my last name and they warmed up to me pretty quickly. 

“You look just like your mother,” Reuben Rex commented. 

“But she has her father’s eyes,” Rainer Vonner said thoughtfully.

“Yeah, all of my siblings do,” I smiled. 

“You know your father would be real proud to see you here with Marsden. They’re very similar, you know?” Rainer asked. 

God I hoped that wasn’t true. 

Reuben shook his head. “You really do look like your mom. I remember when your father brought your mother here for the first time.”

“My mom has been here?” I asked. 

“Tons of times. She used to be a scribe for our meetings actually.” Rainer informed me. “Looks like you’ll be taking up the mantle.”

“Actually, I don’t think Joey will be back here much,” Marsden spoke up. “She’s not one for meetings.”

“So my mom was here a lot…but why?"

“Your mother had an allegiance to your father stronger than any we’d ever seen.” Rainer said simply. “That’s all I’ll say.”

What did that mean?

I perked up when I saw Giselle across the room. 

“Excuse me,” I smiled before approaching her. 

Giselle’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m with Marsden.”

She grabbed my face and looked deep into my eyes. Relief crossed her face. “You haven’t been turned.”

“No, of course not. They just blindfolded me. I guess like they used to do with my mom?”

I searched her face for answers, but received none.

“I see. Does your mother know you’re here?” Giselle questioned. 

“Does my mother know you’re here?” I shot back.

“Maybe,”

“Does…does mom know you’re one of them?”

“Of course she does,” Giselle sighed. “She’s always known.”

“But she lets you teach at the school and have dinner at our home.” I whispered. 

“We’re still best friends. Look, your mother is not what she seems. I know she works for the Chancellor, but…she used to lead a very different life. I can see it in you, Joey. You are following in her footsteps and that scares me, honey. Look how it turned out for her.”

“Marsden is different and you know it.” 

“Is he? He set off an illegal explosion and hurt people.” Giselle breathed. “You can’t tell me you approve of that.”

“I didn’t, but he’s desperate. He just wants to save his family.” I sighed. 

“Well I guess that's where your father and Marsden differ.”

“He won’t be here tonight, right?” She shook her head. “Good, this is weird enough as it is. A war is waging and you guys are seriously at a party?”

“It’s not all work and no play.” She smirked. 

“Giselle…what made you turn?” I asked. 

“That’s a story for another day, my dear.” She squeezed my hand. “And I promise I will tell you. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes.”

“Probably not,” I chuckled. 

“Everything okay?” Marsden asked, walking up to us. 

“Sure,” I smiled. “Just catching up with my favorite teacher.”

“Marsden, next time talk to me before you bring my goddaughter to places she shouldn’t be huh?” Giselle asked. 

“Yes, ma’am.” Marsden nodded. 

She patted his shoulder before walking off. Brielle approached us next. She looked incredibly nervous. 

“Does it hurt really bad, Marsden?” She asked. 

He nodded. “Yeah, Bri, it does. I’ll help you through it, I swear. I’m so f*****g sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Mars. It’s Daddy’s. Everything bad that happens to us is his fault. I hate him.” Brielle shook her head.

“I knew we had things in common,” I smiled. 

“Joey Rosaria,”  I turned around and was shocked to see Bryce Vossen sauntering over to me. “Never thought I’d see you here.”

“I could say the same for you,” I stated. “Nice to see you.”

“Amazing to see you too. You look stunning. I’m suddenly reminded of our passionate night together.” Bryce grinned, his fangs flashing in the candlelight.

“Watch it Bryce,” Marsden growled. 

“Marsden, envious as ever. You jealous that I had this beauty in every position imaginable before you did?” 

“I can’t believe how classless you continue to be,” Brielle shook her head. “Leave Joey alone.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to Bryce alone.” I admitted. 

“What?” Marsden asked. 

“I just have to ask him something.” I assured him as I grabbed Bryce’s arm.

“Fancy another hook up?” He laughed.

“When we had s*x who were you talking about when you said ‘he’s gonna kill me’?” I questioned. 

His smile faded. “Your father.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your father wanted me to spy on you girls, make sure you were safe and okay.”

“So you pretended to be interested in me to spy on me for my father?” I questioned. 

He shook his head. “I never pretended, Joey. That’s why I thought he would kill me. Kind of went above and beyond by sleeping with you. He was quite furious about that. I’d tell Marsden to watch out.” He warned. 

“Well thanks for telling me.”

“Joey…the reason I didn’t talk to you again wasn’t because of your father. I um…I thought you deserved better than this life. I still  do.”

“Thanks Bryce,” I whispered, before walking off.

I knew he was right and did deserve better. The only problem was that I didn’t want better.

--

I felt out of place as the Dark Vampiric Warlocks started gathering around Brielle. I was told to stay in the back and not say a word. Technically I shouldn’t be witnessing this, but with my dad, boyfriend and godmother being a part of the clan, I was kind of like an honorary member. 

Brielle looked extremely pale and like she would faint. Half the candles in the room went out and the ones that were still lit floated in a circle around her. 

Reuben raised his hands. “Tonight we welcome another into the fold! Tonight our clan grows not only bigger but stronger! With every new member, we get closer to victory! Long live Count Killoran!”

“Long live Count Killoran!” The rest chorused. 

“Brielle Thorton, do you swear to uphold the values of the Dark Vampiric Warlocks and serve Count Killoran until your dying day?” 

Brielle took a shaky breath. “Y-yes.”

“Are you ready to prove your loyalty by taking on the hybrid nature of your Count?” Reuben questioned. 

“Y-yes.”

“The last among us inducted into the clan shall have the utmost honor of turning Brielle tonight. Marsden Thorton, come and fulfill your duty!”

I watched as Marsden nervously approached his sister. There were tears in both of their eyes. I glanced at Sabrine who looked distraught to see her children standing there. I knew this was never the life she wanted for them. 

Marsden undid his concealment enchantments. He was in full Dark Vampiric form just like the night he revealed his secret to me. 

I still didn’t know why I stayed. Why I convinced myself that our love was powerful enough to overcome the evils of The Witching Domain.  Was I a romantic or just a fool?

Probably both.

Brielle held her arm out to Marsden, who took it with both hands. His golden eyes glowed as he opened his mouth and dug his fangs into her forearm.

I jumped as Brielle’s screams echoed through the dark room. She sounded as though she was being tortured. 

The blood from her arm dripped into the goblet that apparently already held Count Killoran’s blood. Marsden finally removed his fangs and handed her the goblet to drink. 

Brielle took a swig and swallowed hard, still crying and gasping. Moments later her eyes turned gold and there were cheers throughout the room. 

Everyone but the Thortons were celebrating. I locked eyes with Marsden who looked ashamed of himself and almost humiliated that I had watched him do that.

“That’ll be you up there pretty soon, Joey,” Rainer nudged me. “They might even let Marsden turn you just like your father turned your mother.”

Rainer winced when my eyes widened. 

My mother is a Dark Vampiric Warlock too?