Page 50 of Chasing Luna
“You moron, she’s going to have us tortured if we sneak out,” I hiss.
“I’ll cover for you,” Katarina interrupts, a wide smile adorning her face. Before I can even ruminate on what the smile means, Kenji tugs me along.
“You hear that, Isabela? Let’s go.” I start to walk, but another hand stops me from taking another step.
“I think I should come with you.” Kenji sighs and slaps Gregory’s hand away.
“In case I haven’t made myself clear, she’s mine today. Only mine,” he emphasizes on the last word. “So, maybe back off for a bit? Yeah?” He pulls me behind him to stare at Gregory. Gregory is slightly taller than Kenji, but Kenji has been training in martial arts and assassinations since we were kids. If a fight breaks out, I’m sure it will end in a draw.
“Leave them alone, Grayson.” I almost cringe at the fake name. “Isabela’s going to be fine. Kenji’s been her knight-in-shining-armor since we were kids. I doubt he’s going to let you join in on their… fun, today. We’ll have our own fun, don’t worry. I’ll keep you entertained.” Katarina sips her drink and winks at me. I grit my teeth but disguise it as a smile.
“I killed two people yesterday where you’re sitting. If you look closely, there are blood and guts stuck to the rose bushes behind you,” I reply and Katarina almost spits out her drink. “Have a nice day!” I yell and pull Kenji away. “God, she’s annoying,” I mutter and Kenji laughs.
“Consider yourself lucky you have me, then.” He leads me to his Mercedes Benz right outside the gate. “I’ll take care of you today,” he whispers as he takes my seatbelt and secures it for me.
“Where are we going?” I ask, and Kenji doesn’t reply. He revs up the engine and we speed away. “Kenji?” I wave a hand in front of his face. “Did you hear me?” I pout.
“We need to make a stop first.” He beams and I bob my head, turning on the radio for some white noise. “I need you to see something for yourself,” he mentions after a while and I look over at him, his usual jolly expression changes into a more serious one.
We arrive at a run-down warehouse, with a couple of men loitering outside. “They’re my men. Don’t worry.” He gestures for me to get out of the car, and I follow him inside the warehouse. He greets someone at the door, and we are led deeper inside. It’s dark, with a number of steel pipes and hollow blocks strewn about.
What is this place?I think to myself. A strong stench of blood fills my nose and I immediately know what’s going on. “Did you bring me here so I can watch you torture someone?” I tap my foot as we wait for Kenji’s men to unlock a door. He ignores my jab and instead nods to the man tied down on a lawn chair in the middle of the room.
“We caught him last night attempting to leave the orphanage. He’s part of the Midnight Walkers pack. We managed to get him to squeal about their motives, and, well… you might want to hear the rest from him.” Kenji wakes up the man with his foot, and I hear a sickening crack in his ribs.
Ugh, remind me to never get in a fight with this man.
“Oi, tell her what you said earlier.” He slaps the man some more, and I place a hand on Kenji’s shoulder.
“Tell me what?” I ask, heart pounding once more against my chest.
“Your Highness?” The man opens his one good eye to get a good look at me. And then he laughs. “You look nothing like them,” he sputters which earns him another slap from Kenji.
“We don’t have all day. Tell her what you confessed earlier. Or else.” Behind us, Kenji’s men crack their knuckles. The man visibly gulps and shakes his head.
“It’s your sister, Katarina,” he breathes out. “She asked us to come here with the promise of an alliance. But we had to do something for her first. And she’s the princess, so we couldn’t refuse royalty.” He nearly cries as he looks at me with bloodshot eyes.
“She asked us to kill your sister, Katya. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
I think I’m going to be sick. My hands tremble at the revelation. “What?” I manage to say. My knees start to feel like jelly and I drop down to the floor. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I hiss, but it comes out as a strangled cry. “Katarina will never do anything like that. We’re… we’re family. She’ll never do anything that vile.” I shake my head until I feel dizzy.
“Tell her everything right now.” Kenji pulls at the man’s hair and forces him to look at me.
“The princess called on us, told the Alpha that she’d form an alliance with him once she became the Luna of the Raging Demons.” He breathes in, and my hands start to tremble more. “Of course, no one believed her. We all know who you are, after all.” He attempts a smile and it earns him a slap from Kenji.
“Get to the point.” Kenji seethes.
“And? What did she say?” I whisper.
“She said she already had a plan, that she’s been gaining the trust of your pack members and was on the verge of starting a coup.”
I vaguely remember the time when my position as the chosen one was challenged.That was because of her?
“The princess said that once she’s Luna, the alliance with the Midnight Walkers will push through. We get first dibs on trading routes from this town going to the north and beyond.”
They’ll dictate the flow of goods from one region to another,I finish his sentence in my head. “What does Katya have to do with any of this?” I clarify, though I have a feeling I already know what he’s about to say.