The Unholy Trinity

Invites to The Underworld

Zoey’s POV

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat.

Chloey and I had just found Joey making out with some random boy while on our way to breakfast one morning.

"Oh, hey." Joey said casually. “What's up?”

"Sorry for interrupting, just wanted to check on you.” I said.

"Oh, I’m good!” Joey said smiling. “You can go now though.” She told the guy.

"What was that?" Chloey asked.

"I got bored on the way to breakfast.” Joey explained nonchalantly. “But in more important news, Marsden Thorton finally asked me out last night.” Joey grinned.

Chloey and I exchanged looks. "Um, Joey," I said, "Maybe try someone else.”

Joey rolled her eyes. “Why?”

"Because I've heard some really bad things about him from Simone. He's really mean."

"And I care?” Joey asked in a bored voice.

"You shouldn’t be with someone horrible." Chloey said.

"You don't even know him."

"Look, Joey," I said. "You don't want to be with Marsden Thorton."

"Why not?" Joey challenged.

"Because," I started. “His father is a murderer-”

“So is ours, Zoey.”

“But we don’t want to be like him,” I pointed out.

“And what makes you think Marsden does?” Joey flounced off to her table without a care.

Maybe I shouldn’t judge Joey. After all, I had a crush on a guy who already had a girlfriend.

--

I tried to stay away from Tate. Not only did Raina’s warning shake me a little, but Simone Ash suggested I make myself less available so he wouldn’t feel like he was having his cake and eating it too.

It was shockingly hard to ignore him when we had such amazing talks.

"Hey." Tate said, sitting down on the couch next to me. He didn't look happy.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I’m a failure,”

“Tate, no you’re not. Why do you think that?”

“I’ll never live up to my father. I just-I’m not as good as he is. He was talented and confident and I’ll never be like him. A-and everyone expects me to be! I’m under so much pressure and no one else understands.”

“I do,” I offered. “I mean look at my parents. My mother works with the Chancellor of The Witching Domain. And my father… is also not around.”

“You don’t talk about him much,” Tate pointed out.

“It’s hard to. It makes my mom sad and Joey angry and Chloey uncomfortable.”

“What’s it like having a dad like that? Marsden Thorton loves it, but you guys don’t seem to.”

“I don’t think he loves it, I mean it’s not easy. It’s almost like people are waiting for us to turn bad like our brother did. To follow in Dad’s footsteps. I don’t want that.”

“That’s all I want for myself, but I don’t think I can.”

“Tate, you are more than capable of living up to your father’s name. I can tell.” I whispered.

“What would I do without you?” He smiled.

“Be miserable.”

Tate leaned over and hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling sparks flying between us. There was definitely something here.

“What are you doing?” Raina’s voice broke us apart.

“We were just talking babe.” Tate insisted.

“Sure. Let’s go to my room, Tate.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

Why can’t he just break up with her?

--

"Simone, do you think Tate will actually leave Raina? You know, considering she's his best friend's sister, and he doesn't want to make him mad by hurting her. Is that why he stays?”

"I don’t know. And I honestly have no idea what Rune would do if that happened. But he'd need to understand that if they're not meant to be, it will never work." Simone explained.

"That's true." I said.

"Besides, Rune is hanging out with Chloey. Since she's your sister, it might not bother him too much if you and Tate started dating."

"I hope so.”

“Hey, Zoey.” Zander Craft approached us.

I was pretty sure he had a huge crush on me.

“Hi,” I smiled.

“Um...you going to The Underworld this weekend?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“Did you wanna go with me, not like a date or anything but you know as friends?”

“Oh well, I’m going with Simone-”

“And you should join us.” Simone smiled.

“Yeah?” He grinned.

“Sure.” I nodded.

“Cool, um...see you tomorrow.”

“Why did you invite him?” I asked.

“Because it’ll bother Tate.” She smirked.

Hanging out with Zander Craft would definitely make me less available to Tate.

Joey’s POV

My first date with Marsden Thorton was not what I expected it to be. I thought we would be under his covers in under ten seconds, but instead we had a picnic in his room. It was strangely romantic, which kind of didn’t make any sense to me.

Since starting at Stormine I had come to realize Marsden was like me. All about fun in relationships. Nothing serious, nothing exclusive, and basically nothing that could get you hurt, like falling in love.

This picnic seemed like a lot of thought went into it and Marsden was looking at me pretty intensely.

There was silence as we ate. It was both awkward and comfortable.

"So, how do you like school so far?" Marsden asked, breaking the silence.

“The boys sure are fun.” I laughed. “It’s fine. A little boring though.”

"Yeah, tell me about it." He nodded, "I’m glad this is my last year. I hate it here. I should be with my family.

He seemed to regret saying that.

“How are they?” I asked.

“Mom is a complete and total mess, my sister never leaves the house and Dad...well you know.”

“It’s tough not having your dad around.”

“Yeah, it really is. A-and now I’m supposed to be the man of my family and take on all this responsibility and pressure.”

“No one realizes how hard it is to be a Dark Vampiric Warlock’s kid.” I shook my head. “It’s all fun and games until you find out your dad has murdered someone.”

There was a small smile on his face. “Yeah, I had no one to talk to these things about…before you.”

“Well now I’m here. Use me as you will.”

Marsden leaned over to kiss me but there was a knock on the door before it opened. I expected it to be another girl, but it wasn’t. Marsden’s best friend Keene Creighton entered.

“Sorry to interrupt. Um, Marsden the…thing?” He muttered.

“Right now?” Marsden asked.

“Or we could wait.”

“No!” Marsden groaned and turned to me. “Joey..can we rain check on this, babe? I have to help Keene with something.”

“Oh, um sure, it’s cool.” I smiled. “Had another date after this anyways.”

That was a lie, but I didn’t want to show how disappointed I was.

Marsden saw right through me. “I’m sure. I’ll catch you later.”

I watched as the two boys exited the room and couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing.

--

Marsden Thorton had a secret.

I had no clue what it was, but what I did know was that it took up a lot of his time and made him miserable. Even I couldn’t cheer him up. Every time I asked what it was, he dodged my questions. Maybe it didn’t matter and it wasn’t any of my business.

What was my business was that Marsden hadn’t kissed me yet and I was getting frustrated. It was now my life’s goal to feel Marsden Thorton’s lips against mine. And I would reach that goal.

One night, Marsden and I were doing homework in my room on my bed. It was of course my idea. We were working on Opposing Malignant Powers together. While the class was fascinating, I found it odd that it was taught by Director Magnus. I didn’t understand how he had time to be in charge of the school and collect our homework.

"What do you think?" I asked about five ways to win a duel. We currently had two.

"I think you're beautiful." Marsden said smiling. “And I don’t care about doing homework for Magnus.”

I smiled back. "What else do you think?"

"I think we need a break from homework." He took the book out of my lap and threw it on the floor.

"So now what are we going to do?"

He kissed me. I laid back on the bed and he climbed on top of me. His hand ran down my thigh as he lifted it and pressed against me harder. Marsden’s lips and tongue were sensational. Eager, yet dominating. Slow but purposeful. Gentle and passionate. I couldn’t wait to feel them in other places.

Suddenly a strange sensation came over me as he wrapped his arms around me.

What the f**k?

Why did I feel like this? Why was my heart beating so rapidly? Why did I feel like I was shaking? On the other hand, why did I feel so safe in Marsden Thorton’s arms?

Maybe he was different.

Chloey’s POV

I think I finally knew what love was.

Love was Rune Crimson.

Okay, maybe I’m slightly over exaggerating, but I’d just never felt this way about any boy before. Rune was sweet and funny and made me melt. I finally understood why Joey was so boy crazy.

The only problem was I had no clue if Rune liked me the way I liked him, or if he just saw me as a friend.

“You don’t have to play it so coy, you know?” Joey asked. “I mean be aggressive, show some cleavage, sit in his lap. The guy is probably waiting for a sign at this point!”

“I’m not like you, Joey, I’m not sexy and I can’t tease and flirt.” I whined.

“What’s the point of reading all those romance books if you don’t even take a page out of them? I’m not saying throw yourself at this boy but…maybe give yourself a little toss.”

“You really think that’s good advice?” Zoey questioned.

“I have a one hundred percent success rate, I’m absolutely right. Now I love you both, but I got a date with Marsden.”

“You spend a lot of time with him.” I pointed out.

“And?” She questioned.

“His dad murdered Tate’s.” Zoey pointed out. “And it really messes him up.”

“We don’t know for sure that Regan Thorton was responsible,” Joey hissed. “Have you forgotten who else was there? Dad or Brody could have done it too. They’re sick and soulless at this point. They probably didn’t even care.”

“Jo-”

“I have my date, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Sometimes I really worry about her.

--

I was slightly skeptical about following Joey's advice. It's not that I didn't trust her, it's just that I didn't know if I could pull it off.

"Hey, Chloey, thanks for helping me study." Rune said.

"No problem. I um...really love spending time with you, Rune. It’s really nice.”

Rune grinned. “I love the conversations we have, it's fun to talk to you."

"You too." I said. "I don’t talk like this with anyone. I don’t think anyone else is very interested in what I have to say. And you let me ramble about the silliest things.”

"Nothing you say is silly, Chloey. It’s all interesting and I love hearing about it. I’ve never met anyone like you. I mean the way your mind works is amazing.”

“I think you’re amazing.” I blurted out. “However, you are a massive distraction. Aren’t we supposed to be studying?”

That sounded flirty, right?

"I know, I’m sorry,” He chuckled. “So um...how do you know Sage Redwood so well, by the way?"

"She's my mom's best friend. After dad left...well she kind of helped raised us." I repsoneded.

I think Rune felt uncomfortable when I mentioned my dad. "Um, how's Talisman Usage?" He knew I'd been slightly stressed out about it.

"It's okay. It's actually getting better, I-"

"Hi, Rune!" A girl named Lavina Stone came over to us. She always interrupted me and Rune's conversations. I was surprised that Rune actually associated with her. She was loud, rude and obnoxious. I say that in the nicest way possible.

Too bad she was stunning. She had intense green eyes with chocolate brown hair and her light brown skin seemed to sparkle. I’m sure it’s a stupid charm, but boys definitely found it appealing.

"Hey, Lavina." Rune said, smiling at her. I was immediately jealous.

Lavina turned to me. "Hi, Zoey." She said, giving me the slightest dirty look.

"Actually I'm Chloey." I said.

She shrugged like she couldn’t care less. "So, Rune, are you going to The Underworld this weekend?" She asked in her girly voice.

"Yeah, of course." Rune said, leaning back casually. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. He was actually going along with her.

"Good, so am I." Lavina said flirtatiously. "Save me a dance?”"

"Great, see you there." He said.

"Alright, bye then. Later Joey." She waved.

"I'm Chloey." I repeated.

"Whatever." She flounced off.

Rune smiled after her. "You think she likes me?" He asked.

"Her flirting would say that she probably does." I said not looking at him.

"Hmm." He said. "So, uh, you should come to The Underworld too. I'd like it if you were there."

"What is it?”

“Right, you’re new. Twice a month, we’re allowed to go into town. We all go to this club called The Underworld. It’s a lot of fun. We’re going as a group, I’m pretty sure Zoey is going too.” Rune offered.

“Alright, I’d love to go.” I smiled. “Especially if you want me there.”

--

In the middle of the night I woke up feeling anxious and suspicious. I had no idea why. I had to walk.

While my mind had no clue where I was going, my body did. I was shocked when I saw someone else walking about the castle.

Marsden Thorton.

What was he doing up so late?

I didn’t know why, but I had to follow him. I had to find out where he was going. I saw him turn down a hall, but before I reached it a hand flew over my mouth and dragged me into the darkness.