Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

The buzzing of the gun starts, and soon, the bite of pain from the needle eats into my skin. I close my eyes, picturing Dahlia. Her long dark hair, her pretty blue eyes that were filled with worry. I ache for more, to make her feel that emotion of fear every single day of her life.

As my father tattoos me, I think back to that night.

A knock at the door wakes me from a dreamless sleep. When my eyes snap open, I’m in bed, the patterns in the ceiling still swirling above me, meaning the alcohol is still racing through my bloodstream.

I recall the night before, or is it still night? I don’t know.

Last night’s party is still fresh in my mind. I can’t believe Etienne was able to get those girls to join us. His parents had been visiting with mine. They didn’t tell me what it was about, and when I questioned Dad, he told me to mind my own business.

I know he’s hiding secrets from me. Something Philipe said before he left has made me cautious of my father’s meetings.

Sixteen. I’m fucking sixteen, and I still have to be treated like a fucking child. I have to prove myself for no fucking reason. I have a feeling it’s about the society, the secrets my father hides. The whispers that are filtering around the school has to be about the Sovereign.

“You walked out, I will never be able to have you return to the Sovereign.” My father’s voice is cold and rigid, which has me jolting upright. I knew something woke me, but I wasn’t sure what. Now I know.

“I need protection,” a female voice, not my mother’s, responds.

Shooting up from my bed, I make my way to the door. They must be in the hallway, or I wouldn’t be able to hear them otherwise. My door is still shut, and I know the moment I try to open it, they’ll realize that I’m awake.

Pressing my ear to the wooden surface, I close my eyes and focus. Everything is silent for a long while before I hear shuffling and footsteps.

“I brought this for you,” the female speaks again.

More silence.

“Where did you find this?”

“He kept it in a safe,” she tells my father. I don’t recognize the voice, so it can’t be anyone I’ve met before. I wish I could see through the fucking walls right now.

“You stole it?” Dad bites out, the anger in his tone is palpable. When my father gets angry, nothing can calm him down. He’s like one of those goddamned guard dogs that gets lockjaw on his prey.

“I had to. I need your help, please? She should be here. Protected by you.”

I’m not sure what my father is doing, but then I hear more shuffling, and the soft footfalls disappear. Taking a chance, I twist the doorknob and tug it open slowly. The hallway is empty, and I realize they’ve probably gone down to his office.

My bare feet move toward the staircase when I hear the front door click. There’s no sound until I hear the gun cocking and a shot ring through the almost empty house. I race down the steps and see a man smirking at my father who’s now clutching his shoulder.

“Dad!”

“Ares, get the fuck upstairs, now!” My father’s tone booms through the large open space and I don’t want to obey him, but my feet are already moving. “I said now!” Once more, his rage is like a vise on me, dragging me back to my bedroom.

That man isn’t here for me, or he would’ve shot me. He’s here for my father. Shutting my eyes, I focus on the carpet, trying not to puke. My stomach roils when I think of that asshole killing my father.

Grabbing my phone, I hit dial on Etienne’s number. The second he answers, I’m rambling an explanation about what’s happening downstairs. Even though he lives on the opposite side of town, it won’t take Etienne and Tarian long to get here.

“Tell your dad to get here now,” I inform my best friend. I know that Mr. Durand is part of the society, and he’ll do anything to keep my dad safe. Anything.

There are more shouts and arguing, and I can just about make out the words. The man sounds livid, and dad sounds like he’s about to kill the asshole with threats so volatile I’m shivering.

A door opens and closes, soft hushed footfalls sound again. My brows are furrowed when I pull open my bedroom door and exit into the hallway. I breathe deeply when I hear the woman speaking again.

“She’s meant to be here!”

“Like fuck she is,” my father grits out. I don’t know who they’re talking about, but I will find out. I’m sure Dad has secrets hiding in his office.

It only takes ten minutes for the front door to fly open, and Etienne’s dad to saunter in. “What the fuck are you doing back here?” Mr. Durand’s tone is thunder. Etienne isn’t with him, and I wonder where my best friend is.