MasukLUCAS POV ( Back to present)After a long, suffocating ride of silence from the gala to the airport, we arrived just in time for our flight. A few hours later, the wheels touched down in Carcassonne—the central, beating heart of the Monarchs.To understand how this place operates, you have to understand the protocol.They call it the Train Station. It isn't a physical platform with tracks; it’s a mandate. Anyone visiting the Monarchs must pass through the Train Station in a completely unconscious state.You go under in the outside world, and you wake up in front of the gates of Calvary.It is their ultimate security measure. No one leaves a trail.—"My father doesn't know where I am, and neither do the Calvary Monarchs," I said, leaning forward in the back of the transport truck, desperately inching for a truce. "You might as well kill me first." I said to her."You were sleeping with her, Lucas Lorenzo. And you know I want her," Roset
Lucas’s POV (FLASHBACK)the massive gates ground open before us, and a woman—completely naked, looking to be in her early twenties—stepped out into the light."This way," she said.Her skin shone like grease, covered entirely in a thick, black oily paint. The double-edged sword she held in her right hand caught the harsh rays of the sun, reflecting the glare straight into my eyes.Beyond the gates lay a small, secluded town, its houses arranged in tiers up the face of a steep hill. At the pinnacle stood a tall, imposing structure that loomed over the valley like a dark cathedral.I gasped, the air catching in my throat."How did we get here?" I spun my head immediately to face Maddie, who was shuddering violently by my side. Her expression was pure fright, her high cheekbones completely pale, stripped of all color."Maddie?" I shook her arm rougher than I intended. "Why aren't you saying something?"Slowly, she turned her head to face me
Victoria pov —did he just?, ......Emorys mouth formed the letter O, and he brought his fists to his mouth to fight back the amusement dancing In his eyes,and Carl,?, ....he. seemed rather impressed with lucas,wearing that "I told you Lucas doesn't care about you," look in his face,and honestly, their both expressions were equally valid. how could he say that to me?.... publicly?—"Fine." I blinked back the tears, finding my voice."leave all you want Lucas." I inhaled sharply as he turned to walk away without looking back. "Im sick of how crazy you make me feel,"—this moment you can't get your hands off me and the next, you are a whole different person."my voice cracked."it's exhausting Lucas, so go on ahead—."i swallowed,feeling a pang tighten in my chest. "—you would never love me half of the way you loved Maddie, because you still choose her, you keep holding on,even when you k
Lucas pov Her eyes flinched, "wha- what are you talking about?"she shook her head saying, "Wait, does anything I just said even matter to you?""No." it doesn't.""but you care so deeply about some god-damned ghostly letters longing for someone whom has for the most part of her life forgotten you?" her teeth, gritted tight as she spoke."you have no idea what you are talking about Victoria," I said firmly, her eyebrows furrowed with disbelief, she scoffed. holding her focus away from my face back to over the balcony.just in the position when I sighted her."—great," then you should head back into the ballroom because your partner must miss you already."She said with a hiss."you can't tell me what to do Victoria." my Jaws clenched."Fine then I'll allow you enjoy the space to yourself." her tightened knuckles released from the railings, As she brushed passed me, her delicious Jasmine scent hung up too close,
Lucas povI said I'd give anything to hear Victoria say my name with those lips, Not the exact person whom I'd rather smash his head on a rock than extend a handshake to. "—LUCAS, its a pleasure seeing you here," although I'm not exactly sure that's true." Carl extended a handshake ,with a tightened smile. "hm. i see we are mutuals on that." my lips twitched to the side. then his eyes drifted to Rosette, who's eyes was hung up on the damsel in distress fixing her necklace right above the stairs. "I see, you have moved on so quick." his eyes returned back to me saying. "um—i could introduce you both, but she's not a fan of losers." I cleared my throat. Carl chuckled, quite heartily, "Losers?,—but I won Lucas, I got the girl" he grinned sheepishly,Then Victoria began to walk down the stairs, her facial expressions, unreadable.but with each step she took, her outfit became more and more visible, —the deep red b
LUCASS POV "I want to see her again." Rosette picked up a bottle of wine and turned it into her glass. "Who?" I asked, quirking a brow."Victoria of course." She answered, placing the glass at the tip of her lips. i watched her sip, with the same grace she used in beheading anyone with unpaid debts at the calvary monarchs."Well that can be arranged." I nearly rolled my eyes. "You have a very big house, but u choose to hide in a female owned room and drink yourself to death." She said, looking over her shoulders. i dropped the shot glass on the table. —"What's troubling you? Lucas Lorenzo?" she slurred, leaning against the drawer .—, "it's been days, weeks, months and years even, Rosette—" "And still, every unanswered letter has my every nerve wrecking , has me hung up on —""—Magdalene Gussau." She completed. "Yes." I said."I mean I don't even know if she's okay...""Lucas Lorenzo," she s







