Page 16 of Created in Chaos
The soft murmurings in the chamber are impossible to make out, but the sound hums through the entire expanse. Ordinarily, I would try to look around more and familiarize myself with my surroundings, but I don’t want to stand out, especially before we know why everyone was called here.
Sitting silently and pretending I’m calm is harder than it should be. I find myself wishing I could speak to the brothers, ask questions, and even aggravate Lucian so I could pretend like I’m not freaking out on the inside. Nox shifts next to me, and I’m disappointed he doesn’t touch me in some small way, proving I’ve gotten too used to how familiar our relationship has become.
Finally, after some unseen, unheard cue, the rest of the figures start filing into the room and filling up the chairs around us. Our table seems to be popular, because all the remaining seats are quickly taken.
Not a single word is spoken, making it all seem bizarre. Lucian shifts his head toward the dais, and I feel comfortable enough to do the same. Rory is already standing, looking strange in the dark robe, since I’m used to seeing him in button-up shirts and slacks. Everything about this feels surreal. He makes a hand gesture, lifting his palm, and everyone around me, including the Morningstars, rise, and I follow suit, just like I was directed.
After a brief pause, voices fill the chamber, reciting the Cadieux Creed.
We are the founders, eternally bound to those who came before us and forsaken by those who would command us.
Our purpose is to rule the compliant and guide the meek.
We heed our brethren, protect, and provide.
All things are ours to take and conquer.
We are but one of many, we bear the burden.
Trust only in ourselves, and seek approval from no one.
As the words are spoken, a chill skates down my spine. I’m grateful that my face is covered and no one knows that I didn’t participate in the eerie tradition. The final words echo in my head, and I understand why Lucian calls it the corrupt credence. Besides it being completely self-indulgent mumbo jumbo, it’s a bunch of crap. I know from experience, and from the Morningstars, that these founding families all hate each other. They don’t heed, provide, or protect anyone but themselves and their own interests.
I lower myself back into my seat along with everyone else, besides Rory, and wait to hear why we were all summoned.
NOX
Nova is a little slow to take her seat, but I doubt anyone notices. It just goes to show how compliant we’ve all become. How many times has there been one among us who shouldn’t have been? Not that she fits into that category. She is, after all, a rightful heir, but I doubt Rory knows she’s here.
My eyes are glued to the president, waiting to see what he has to say and wondering what, if any, damage control I’ll have to manage with Lucian.
“As many of you know, a student was attacked at the school—my granddaughter.” His eyes scan the chamber as if he might glean some information, but not even a gasp of air disrupts the silence.
“The motive for this attack seems to be unknown, but many of us have speculations.” Rory’s head turns to the left, and he stares at our table. As much as people like to pretend these robes offer anonymity, it only goes so far, especially when Lucian has always made it clear that he doesn’t need to hide behind a cloth for any decision he’s made.
My brother pushes back his hood, revealing his hard jaw and razor-sharp gaze. “Something you need to say, Umbra?”
Rory’s nostrils flare at the break in decorum, or it could just be the sight of my twin. “You are not permitted to speak, Morningstar.”
There’s no doubt he knows he’s addressing Lucian, but he still uses his founder title in the same way my brother did to address him.
“You worried you won’t stand up to the challenge?” Lucian sounds bored, but it causes a ripple through the room. This was not part of the plan, but we didn’t anticipate Rory calling us out either. Clearly, we should have.
I remain rooted in my seat but poised to attack if the need arises. It wouldn’t be the first time. After my parents’ death, it took five men to restrain Lucian when he went after Astrid. He would have killed her if he could have gotten his hands on her, but unsurprisingly, they were prepared for his outburst and he didn’t even get close.
Eventually, we had to reach an agreement through mediation involving all four families to hold the traditional meetings again, with reassurance that Lucian wouldn’t try to kill Astrid the next time he saw her. In the end, he agreed, but only because he knows it won’t be long before he takes over as president, and when that happens, hell help them all, because my twin will decimate every person on this island and use the corrupt credence to do it.
“You will abide by the rules or be removed. You decide,” Rory says through his teeth, but it just doesn’t evoke the same apprehension coming from the older man.
“I was merely answering your insinuation, President Umbra. Please proceed.” I wouldn’t even need to see Lucian to hear the disdain and disregard my brother holds for Nova’s grandfather, and neither does anyone else.
There’s a pregnant pause where it’s clear everyone is waiting to see how this plays out, but Rory eventually calls the room back to attention. “As I was saying, this threat cannot be ignored. When we find out who perpetrated this attack, the assailants will be held accountable, no matter who they are.” Rory doesn’t look right at Lucian again, but he doesn’t need to at this point. His insinuation is clear.
Lucian’s shoulders roll back as if he’s anticipating the added weight of everyone’s suspicion, but his face remains cold and indifferent.
“To that end, my granddaughter, Nova Umbra, will be formally recognized as our heir. The Quades have reviewed the request to have her documented as such and have witnessed our proof of her lineage. I only regret that we did not expedite this sooner and prevent this tragedy.”
“What of the ceremony?” Lucian asks. “The rules are clear on anyone being inducted into the founding families. Are you planning on ignoring them for your own means?”