The Rule of the Damned (Titan Syndicate Saga #1)
Chapter 1 | Hot Right Now
Jude (Now)
I f a hotel guest looked at me, they would see a well-dressed person who looked like she belonged here.
My custom designer dress is a beautiful gold and sage design with a matching bodice and a hint of black lace in the train that flares out behind me. The colors suit my tanned skin and chestnut hair, and the cut of the dress enhances the little curves I have. Ensuring the train of the dress is securely fastened around my finger, I flick my brown curls over my shoulder as I walk through the hotel lobby.
Because I’m nervous, I’ve overcompensated with my outfit, everything about me screams expensive. I need to look like I belong here, even if I don’t feel like I do.
Stepping outside into a perfect summer’s day, I secure my sunglasses with my free hand as I begin the walk towards the ceremony. I’m a fucking Rhodes, and I need to remember that. It’s time I act like I own the place, because I probably do .
It’s a beautiful day for a wedding in Arizona, and I take a moment to enjoy the greenery lining the path ahead of me. If I had my way, I would shift and explore everything this land offers. Especially since it’s my first time here. But that’s not the plan. I’m only here for the wedding, and tomorrow I can go back to my new life. Away from all of this . As it is, I’m cutting it close for the start of the wedding, and if I’m late, Eric Rhodes won’t like that.
The path winds down another bend as I follow the signs directing the guests to the Rhodes wedding, and I thank the Druids I wore sandals. Even if I’m Supernatural, this walk would have killed me in heels. It doesn’t take much longer for me to see the ceremony set up in the distance, and my heart races with those damn nerves again. Attempting to center myself, I put one of those fake smiles on my face, the ones we use for people we don’t like as I near the wedding guests. I’ve been gone for two years, so I should have expected the muttering to start when I made my dramatic appearance at this wedding.
When I got the wedding invite, I knew it wasn’t a request. I was being informed that my attendance was required. When I evaluated my options, I knew if I didn’t show face, Dad might cut me off financially, and since I still need his money, that was the lesser option of the two.
The invite said the theme was ‘Fancy with a touch of green and gold,’ and immediately I called in some favors from local designers to help me out. Because I knew, if you think you’re being too over the top for a Rhodes wedding, add more. I’m pretty sure most of Chicago’s local designers and some French labels have dressed this crowd. It looks more like the Met Gala than a wedding. Good to know that even if I’m out of practice, I’ve still got it.
Several wedding planners in their black uniforms scurry in between the guests, ushering everyone to take their seats. I have no idea where mine is or if it’s first come first served. Figuring the back is where I will cause the least disruption, I grab a seat, hoping that no one demands I sit up front with the family.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take the minister long to welcome us, and he’s wearing a suit just like the other men here. It’s an odd choice for a minister, but it fits the aesthetic. “Welcome esteemed guests to this beautiful day, celebrating Autumn and Parker. I’m honored to bless their union before the eyes of the Lord. Love will always endure…”
It’s at that point that I zone out. Interesting that we’re going to keep it human today when more than half of the people here aren’t. If it was just the Druids, we would give thanks to the ones that came before us. We honor them at every milestone of our lives, and I wonder how my cousin got around that for today.
Inspecting the ceremony set up, I see each chair is covered with white material and a matching sage and gold bow tied around the back of the chair. A lot of this setup was riding on perfect weather, and that’s when I spot Dominic’s head in the crowd. The Sorcerers coming to our rescue with magical intervention makes sense.
My eyes follow the gold carpet up to the couple standing under the wooden arbor decorated with lilies and ivy. Those same plants are woven intricately through Autumn’s dark blonde hair with golden threads. They catch the sunlight amongst the several layers of tulle that make up her wedding dress. Not my style, but it works on her.
This is the wedding she always dreamed of. The one we spoke about when we were kids. We may not be close anymore, but even I can tell she looks happy. They move to their vows, and at that part, Parker chokes up before he says them.
“I, Parker, promise to love you, Autumn, for the rest of our lives and honor this bond between us.”
Cute. He really does love her going by this display of emotion, and I’m touched by the love I see shining in Autumn’s eyes. She feels the same.
After they’ve finished placing their rings on each other, the minister starts his closing passage before he says the words we’ve all been dying to hear.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!”
Another wedding planner runs past, and I’m distracted, wondering what the issue could be. To me, it seems like this wedding is perfect. I know my father wouldn’t have accepted anything less than this. From my position, I can see his head in the front row, right next to my mothers. I can just imagine him radiating smugness at all the attention today will get him.
The wedding guests politely cheer as Autumn melts into Parker, and he kisses her a few seconds past what’s deemed appropriate. My ears pick up a few scandalized gasps, and I have to withhold my snort. Hypocrites. Even if they’re wearing their fancy hats so we can paint a picture of normalcy at this wedding, I know the truth. At least half of us shift into animals and have seen each other naked more times than we would like to admit.
One of the wedding planners shoves a bag of confetti into my hand, distracting me and answering my earlier question. That’s what was so urgent. Turning my attention back to the wedding party up front, I see another wedding planner in the corner, talking into her earpiece. How many do they have for this event?! That earpiece must mean she’s in charge, though. It's always funny the things that give people power.
The minister signals for us to stand so we can welcome the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes. Following his instruction, we cheer for the happy couple and shower them with confetti as they walk towards the exit. Autumn startles as she notices me at the back, and I give her an awkward wave in response.
As the bridal party exits the ceremony area, I notice the mess that’s left behind on the gold carpet, covered with the crushed red rose petals. While it’s an odd choice for aesthetic, it makes an impact, and I will give them that.
The wedding planner with the earpiece, the one I think is in charge, starts ushering the guests towards the reception area, and it's hard not to get my back up at the bossy tone in her voice. I wonder if she would behave the same way if she knew who I was. Her red hair is pulled back into such a tight bun; I wonder how she hasn’t got a raging headache already.
“Please hurry along!” she tells us. “We need to get into position for the next part. We don’t want to disappoint Mr. Rhodes.” That’s funny, you would think the couple would be her priority. Her lack of backbone irritates me, and I briefly entertain ripping her head off. But I went to school to find my humanity, amongst other things, and it will do no good for me to lose it now. These people are just doing their jobs, and they’re just more scared of Eric Rhodes than they are of me.
When we get to the venue, the wedding planner tells us to find our names on the seating chart and get settled quickly before the bridal party is done with their photos. Raising my eyebrow, I say nothing as I search the seating chart. The reception hall overlooks a lake, and it’s large enough to accommodate one hundred people easily.
I’m still amazed that Parker agreed to take the Rhodes name. Somehow, Eric Rhodes convinced him that this was a good idea, since apparently he can’t trust his daughters to carry out the simple task of giving him male heirs. His words, not mine.
It doesn’t take me long to find my name right next to my family’s, and I’m disappointed to see none of my sisters are here, especially since Lexie is a great buffer between me and Dad. But we’re not sitting with the happy couple at the main table.
When Autumn’s dad died, it left her with only a human parent and no one to guide her in the ways of the Druid, so Dad stepped in to help. A quick look at the main table shows that none of Autumn’s remaining family is here, but it seems like Parker’s are, and they’re sitting at the main table instead. Interesting.
It’s worth doing a quick scan to see who else got invited. Each Supernatural Family has six families in total, with one family leading the Supernatural Empire, and I expect an even distribution of presence from each family. We can’t be seen playing favorites amongst the families after all.
Already, I know Dominic is here, and I need to catch up with him because it’s been a while. Looking around for some other names, I see very few Undead are here and unless married into a Supernatural Family, there is no Human Faction. Ohhh, scandalous. I wish I knew why. Pity that Luca is not here, because I know she would fill me in on the gossip. But then I see his name is not on the list, and I can’t decide if I’m relieved or disappointed .
Sighing and snagging a glass of champagne from the tray at the entrance, I brace myself for the polite falseness that I’m about to endure as I walk into the venue with my head held high. While I search for my allocated seat, I ignore the eyes on me. The inside of the venue is simpler than I expected, but there are fairy lights covering every surface. A quick glance at the cutlery tells me it’s a designer label.
Pulling up the only available chair at the table next to my parents, I remind myself to stay calm. Dad only allowed me to go to university because Lexie stayed home to run the family business with him, but if I don’t play it smart, he could revoke my attendance with only a moment's notice. And right now, I want freedom more than I want anything else.
“Mother, Father,” I say in place of a greeting.
"Judith." Dad looks at my couture gown. Mom just glares at me and says nothing in response.
"Glad to see you've put your paws away for once, or have you moved on to wings now? You always were indecisive.”
“Well, I was decisive enough to spend your money to get here, so clearly some things have changed. And you know I prefer Jude now.”
It’s not worth it, I remind myself. A fight with Dad will only ruin Autumn’s big day, and I don’t want that. No matter how much has changed between us. Luckily, a waiter comes to the rescue and places our starters on the table. I’m famished, and the beef carpaccio with parmesan shavings looks delicious.
Digging into my meal gives me something else to focus on while I decide on the safest way to interact. When I’m done eating, I look up to find Dad’s eyes on me, so I meet him head on. He prefers directness, as he believes it “shows character”. So I humor him for a moment and make polite conversation.
“Where’s Lexie and Brooklyn? I thought they would be here.”
Dad inhales with a sharp breath, like I asked the wrong thing, and here I thought I was picking a safe subject. A quick scan around the table tells me why. When we have gossips like Zac at the table, we have to choose our words carefully before the whole Supernatural community knows about our business.
“We decided Brooklyn should focus on her studies. She has an important exam coming up, and Lexie stayed behind to keep the business running. Not everyone has the luxury to gallivant and do what they want with all expenses paid.” He raises his glass, a suave smile on his face–for the table, not me.
Ignoring his passive aggressive jab, I know what he really means. He decided. Our family wasn’t a democracy the last time I checked. Before I can respond with a jab of my own, the newlywed couple enters the room, and we all stand to cheer for them. Parker and Autumn make their way to their table, and the MC welcomes us with his opening speech. When he’s done, the chatter increases in the hall again with some upbeat background music to maintain the mood.
Excusing myself from the table, I make my way to the open bar because I need something stronger if I’m going to get through this evening without losing my temper. While I wait for my drink, another guy joins me at the bar and gives my outfit a once over. A sniff tells me he’s human and on any other night, I would have enjoyed the challenge of flirting with him. But not right now. Too many Druids are here and if he pisses the wrong one off for sleeping with their leader's daughter, his death will be on my conscience, and I have enough of those.
Abandoning any hope of getting laid tonight, I make my way back to the table with my prized drink in hand and eager for the next course so I can get this evening over with. Maybe I should go search for Dominic next? I’ve shown enough face with the family.
My moment of solitude is over before it even begins as Dad slides into the chair next to me. Bracing myself for whatever insult he has prepared, I’m ready to defend myself until I see his face.
All of my earlier frustrations are put to the side for now as my eyebrows knit together in concern as I take Dad’s arm. “Dad? What’s wrong?”
He looks like he’s seen a ghost as he tells me, “That was a call from security at home. They found Lexie with a silver knife in her chest. She’s dead.”