Page 22 of Chasing the Night
Chapter Nine
Duty and Dysfunction
Messiah
It’d been a long time since we took in a prospect. That’s what Isabella called them, prospects, as if the entire thing became acceptable if a pleasant title was used. I shook my head as the thoughts flooded one after another. I had made it a point not to get attached. I couldn’t afford to. So, why did I save her? Why hadn’t I just left her where Icarus and Isabella had placed her?
I could torture myself creating questions all day, but it would only be denying the obvious. Chalice’s long, fine black hair, deep tan and golden-brown eyes had caught my attention at once. She was the spitting image of my Lisette. Even her size and shape were the same tall slender frame. The sight of her had ripped me back to the day of my intended’s execution. The day I was branded and forced to watch my future be swallowed by Lake Last. Did anyone ever really forget the day they became a Krypt?
“Messiah! Hurry, we mustn’t waste any time. Only the Fated Few know how long it will take to transform her into—” Isabella rambled, over the clatter of the breakfast table being cleaned.
It had been unnatural starting the day without Reverie jabbering at full speed. Now Isabella was in a hurry to toss Chalice into the center of Rochambeau’s cesspool of suitors.
“She doesn’t need transforming.” My voice ebbed with an impatience that even her Fated Few wouldn’t have dared to mock her with. The back of her elegant bejeweled hand cracked against my sternum, and a brow spiked toward her shiny black updo.
I glanced down to the imprint of her hand for several long moments before dragging my attention back to her. Her brow slowly settled, and she hurriedly tried to redirect me.
“She will need a corset, gown, slippers… oh, and don’t forget those…” She rubbed her fingers together like she was sampling something silky. “…the stockings. The ferals always pay more attention to how they sit and walk when they wear them the first few times. See that she does.”
“Look, Mother,” I patiently began. My eyes were clamped shut and my fingers danced over the bridge of my nose. Only for a moment. That was all it took for Isabella to prance back across the room and square up to me, chest to chest. Her long black lashes blinked, as if it was she who was affording the patience.
“Mind yourself, Messiah. You’re powerful, beautiful… but you are still my son. Not. My. Equal.” Her gaze rolled over me dismissively before she twirled around and began to gather the items she had prescribed.
Meanwhile, I forced myself to take a few deep breaths. What the fuck was I thinking, disrespecting the Mistress of House Krypt, even if she had adopted me? I shook my head and found her staring at me expectantly.
“Apologies, Mother. I’ve not been myself…” I attempted, but she pierced the air with her finger and her dark exotic eyes flashed before narrowing on me.
“You… of course, Messiah. Surely, it is more difficult for you than me. I was only Lisette’s mother, after all,” she clipped before giving a nasally laugh. “Oh please. You didn’t think that the rest of us were blind to it, did you?”
How could anyone have missed it? I thought to myself before swallowing the sentiment
“I didn’t mean… it’s just… I’ve been distracted with the memories.” Only Isabella could make my voice crack. Be it through seduction or fear, she made men bare themselves in a way that served her. It had for decades now, up here on the Mountain of Rochambeau.
And just like that, the storm passed, and I was blanketed with the calm comfort of her embrace. Though I stood a good head and a half taller than her, she wrapped her hand behind my neck and lured me down to her shoulder.
“We all miss her. We always will, but we must go on. Do you think it would honor Lisette to know that her death was the cause of our House’s demise?”
I hated when she did that, but I couldn’t argue her point. Nor could I bring myself to voice an interest in the prospect that even I didn’t understand.
“Tell me you didn’t take her for pawn…” I whispered, disgusted with myself for even speaking of such things. I knew I looked weak, but I also knew I couldn’t watch Lisette die a second time… and that is exactly what it’d be like if Chalice failed as a prospect.
“Lisette was gorgeous. Men came far and wide before you stole her…” Isabella began.
“I stole nothing.” I kept my voice flat, but there wasn’t a thing I could do about the rage that burned in my eyes. I held her gaze until my jaw started to set, only realizing the dare I had nonverbally issued when her hand crawled up to massage her throat.
“Her beauty was worth much,” she relented before shoving the heap of dress, stockings and corset onto my arms. I almost couldn’t see over it all. “Now, off with you. If you are so worried about our little mascot, then teach her to sit pretty so we can union her nicely”
“Union her.” I laughed on a sigh. “You don’t even know her middle name. How do you propose to round up anything of true value?”
She winked and patted my ass like I was a child she was shooing off. “I’ll fetch Aella and meet you there.”
I at least managed to get my back to the woman before I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. I carried the mound of clothing down the hallway, rolling my shoulders and trying to relax myself. It was a habit. One that reminded me of just how much I owed to Isabella and Atticus.
The door to Chalice’s chamber was open. I walked in hesitantly and found her back to me. Her attention was fixated on something outside the window. The noise from the street below trickled up. Joyous, hopeful tones that were eager to find a day’s wage.
“I prefer the tranquility of watching the sunrise. It’s quiet. Serene. Much more appealing than seeing the beggars and peasants set about their day,” I teased.
She screamed and nearly climbed the wall, it all happened so fast. All I had time to call was, “Have a care!” She was too far for me to grasp, but thankfully, caught herself on the side frame.