Chapter 13 Maeve #3
Their scents hit my senses like twin warning bells—one floral and frosted, the other sugared venom—and my chromius recoils hard enough to make my ribs ache.
Perfect.
Exactly what I needed today.
My cowardly chromius hiding behind my spine as if these problems aren’t her fault.
If she weren’t so desperate for connection, I never would’ve stepped foot back into this nightmare.
Then again, I’d be missing out on the charming spectacle of the Graves family tree slithering around, so she can mostly be forgiven.
Where the twins go stiff around their father, Lucifer practically lights up—eager, wicked, a creature sharpening claws for the confrontation.
I should move towards Torin and Draven. Let the two more… political members of this group shield me from the storm.
Pick safety over chaos.
But chaos feels more honest, and Lucifer feels like the only person here who’s ever chosen me without pretending.
Well—until today, when he sided with the enemy. Why can’t I betray him the way he betrayed me?
“Hello, Son,” Dorian says darkly once they’re close enough.
His hand lands on his mate’s shoulder, and Brianne melts back into him like it’s a perfectly rehearsed performance.
Well, that was helpful. Thanks, asshole.
Brianne’s the shorter of the two sisters, but her expression could curdle blood. Steel blue eyes identical to Adrian’s—cold, arrogant, poisonous.
A true light pegasus, dressed in pale cream and diamonds excessive enough to blind a deity.
Her blonde hair sparkles with them.
It’s almost funny—trying to look pure by drowning yourself in gemstones. If you have to prove purity, you don’t have it.
Marianne is softer on the surface but ten times more dangerous under it. Maternal, but only when it benefits her image or serves her purpose.
Her dress is white—a nod to her form, I’m sure—but her nails are long and black, talons disguised as a manicure.
Weapons hidden in plain sight.
Her sapphire blue eyes hold that ancient, calculating wisdom that she’s adopted from her mate. I wonder if that’s a perk of their bond or if it’s another facade she’s developed.
“Son?” Lucifer echoes, mischief glinting in his icy blue eyes. “Which one of you fuckers is my illegitimate brother?”
Torin ignores him—weakling—nodding stiffly at the newcomers. “It’s good to see you all again. I’ll leave you to your family.”
Pathetic coward.
Brianne smiles with all the warmth of a blade. I’d prefer to be stabbed than to deal with her.
“Thank you, Torin,” Marianne says. Her words carry such a heavy weight that the knot in my stomach tightens aggressively.
Draven raises a brow at me, and I nod my head, giving him the permission he’s seeking to leave as well.
Where Torin flees like the scared cat he is, Draven strides into the crowd, a target in mind.
Hadrian grins at the group. “Aunties, don’t you both look so beautiful.”
Such a liar.
How the fuck has he survived alone in the world with such dismal skills?
“Enough with the games, Hadrian,” Dorian warns gruffly. “We’re not here for you, and you know it.”
Bharlo shifts forward, cutting in with his rancid scent of damp soil and spoiled musk.
Earthy, with a hint of the rot underneath.
“I came over to see you,” he says, and the smug curl of his lip tells me everything I need to know.
Before Hadrian can sharpen his tongue, Lucifer moves first.
“Oh, good,” he purrs, leaning back as if he’s settling in for a show of his own making. “We’re pretending to like each other. Shall we all hold hands and sing songs about loving, functional families?”
Julian chokes on his fear. Hadrian smothers a chuckle with a cough.
Marianne ignores the boys, her gaze cutting straight to me. I meet her stare head on, refusing to cower.
She’s not better than me—we’re just as worthless as each other.
“You look awful, dear,” she says calmly. “I’ve heard about your… troubles and want to lend a warning.”
I smirk. “Oh, Mary, please don’t worry over little old me. The only warnings we heed are usually about you.”
Lucifer’s grin is feral. It shouldn’t affect me the way it does, but I look to his mum next.
“Brianne, I presume.” I tilt my head, letting my face fall. “From what I’ve heard, I expected… more. Pity.”
“Maeve Quinn,” she says, and it’s not a question. Hell, it’s not even an introduction.
“Yes, I am, well done,” I say with as much patronisation as I possibly can. “Congratulations. You know how to identify someone only a few feet away. Good job!”
Hadrian mutters “Oh, no,” under his breath, as Julian pales.
“Mummy, Daddy, meet my newest charge,” Lucifer says dramatically. “Maeve, meet… well, I don’t want to force you to spend more time with these people than necessary.”
Dorian’s jaw ticks once. Just once. But the tension ripples all the way down the line of pristine white fabric draped over Brianne’s shoulder.
“Don’t be hasty, Son,” Brianne says, stepping forwards with that deceptively soft tone predators use right before they bite, “after all, we don’t want your charge being forced to endure what you did, right?”
Lucifer’s eyes flash black, and he steps forward, meeting his mother head on.
“Try it, bitch,” he hisses with enough venom to take out every one in this room if he tried.
My blood runs cold.
What the fuck did they do to him?
“Bri,” Marianne warns, placing her hand on her sister’s forearm. “Remember where we are, Sister.”
“Yes, Brianne, remember your place,” I warn, waggling my brows. “Can’t have you embarrassing the family after all, can we?”
Lucifer grins at me, relaxing once more. Outwardly, at least.
Internally, I have no doubt adrenaline is racing through him as he holds back the imp.
I’d personally prefer him to let his creature free. I’ve yet to meet him, after all.
“Your drama is becoming a family issue,” Marianne says, looking at me rather than her nephews. “You need to solve it. Fast.”
Julian scoffs, and everyone seems surprised. “Please, Aunt, don’t you think if it was that easy we’d have done it already? Don’t insult her intelligence.”
“I wasn’t aware she had any,” Brianne says viciously.
I grin, pleasantly dead inside. “I don’t. I’m just another one of Adrian’s dumb blondes—you know how it is, right? Pretty little decorations while the big, bad men do all the hard work.”
I fan myself and shrug at the narrowed eyes. “It’s hard work being such a stupid, sensitive flower, you know?”
Marianne’s smile tightens. “We’re not here to insult you, Maeve, dear. We’re here to support you, to help you the way you’ve needed all these years.’
Hadrian sneers. “And what help will you offer, Aunt? The support I was offered when denied a place in the family for being black?”
“Or what about a name change like I was given?” Lucifer asks, tapping his chin dramatically. “I do call you pretty princess, but I don’t think the Tribunal would legalise that.”
“I find it more interesting that they’re offering support now rather than six years ago,” Julian says dryly.
Both women scoff, their anger clear, but Bharlo grins.
“You’re a worthy man, Julian. But don’t insult your aunt in front of me,” he says. The elephorian’s jade green eyes rake over my frame. “You’re losing weight, Maeve. It’s clear that this situation is wearing on you.”
“And that’s your problem, why?” I counter.
“We’re concerned because your situation has become a matter of such… scrutiny.”
My stomach drops, and I flex my hands at my sides, stopping them from fidgeting.
Hadrian straightens. “What scrutiny?”
Dorian lifts a small, sleek tablet from beneath his coat. “Perhaps the kind you should have informed us of before it reached the Tribunal inbox.”
Hadrian freezes, but I relax ever so slightly. This is a family drama—not an actual one.
Bharlo looks amused. “Oh, now this is interesting.”
I glance at the boys, not sure what their uncle is referencing.
Julian is pale but alert. Lucifer’s shadows coil like smoke. Hadrian’s pegasus is clawing at the inside of his skin so violently it feels like static is radiating off all three of them.
Bloody hell.
They couldn’t be more obvious if they tried.
Before I can ask what the fuck is going on, a server appears at Dorian’s elbow like he was conjured. “Lord Graves, your table is ready. The family wing has been prepared for you.”
Lord Graves? Fuck me dead.
I can’t decide whether to laugh, gag, or mock.
Hopefully, I’ll get to do all three.
Marianne’s smile sharpens like she’s about to carve someone open. “Perfect timing. We can discuss this somewhere… more private.”
My eyes widen. Family wing. Oh, fucking brilliant.
Brianne loops her arm through Lucifer’s like she’s staking a claim, her grip just a shade too tight. “Come along, darling. We’ll sort out all this messy little scrutiny together.”
My chromius lunges hard enough to rattle my ribs. A bloodthirsty snarl rips up my spine, hungry and vicious.
If I let her out—really let her out—Brianne’s pretty little head would already be rolling across the floor.
Pearl-white dress soaked red.
A stain for a stain.
A life for the one she stole from Lucifer.
Hm.
Let’s add that to the list of reasons I should probably be supervised at all times.
I inhale, slow and steady, dragging the rage down my throat like smoke.
Then I step forward.
Marianne’s eyes narrow into slits, and Hadrian’s skin pales.
I don’t know why they’re so surprised I rose to their challenge.
Did they really think I’d let them drag me to their table kicking and screaming?
They’re the ones who invited me to the battlefield.
Let them play kings and queens. Let them crown themselves in their own egos.
I’m not a pawn or a prize to be won.
I’ve knelt enough for one lifetime.
Let’s hope that the Graves family learn I’m not going to do it again.