Chapter 17

“Blocked again.” Dew, one of Grady’s friends, pouted and dropped his arm with his multi-slate on it. He turned to Nix. “Seriously, I’m begging. Teach me your tricks.”

They’d just left lunch at the small cafeteria where Nix had found Grady and the others already eating. Typically, he was forced to eat at Café Soul with one of the Demons, but they were all supposedly busy today, so he’d gotten approval to do whatever he pleased.

It irked him how excited he’d gotten when Lake had told him this morning. How he’d almost felt grateful even. The more time he spent trapped with them, the more he seemed to lose himself, and the worst part was that being aware of it meant nothing. Nix couldn’t change it, couldn’t stop it from happening, no matter how conscious he was about it.

His ability to adapt wasn’t something he had any control over, and he was learning there were downsides to it, mainly that his emotions and his head didn’t seem to coincide. Logically, he knew he was being kept as a prisoner, that he was involved in a toxic situation. But rationality didn’t matter. Being rational wasn’t going to help him escape.

Wanting to escape wasn’t going to help him to escape, and knowing that, his subconscious was also adjusting his mindset to better fit the situation.

“Leave him alone,” Khloe rolled her eyes and leaned into Nix as their group headed down the steps and onto one of the stone paths. “Feel free to tell him to fuck off any time.”

“For real though,” Grady agreed. “He’s getting on my last nerve.”

“Just because you two aren’t interested in bettering your future doesn’t mean I also have to be averse to it.” Dew stuck out his tongue. He was the most outspoken and boisterous of the group, and also the most Demon obsessed.

The fact that Grady was still close friends with him had given Nix hope in the beginning, and fortunately, even after their talk in their dorm room, things between him and his roommate were still okay.

Or, ex roommate, really, since Nix no longer lived there. His move to the Roost had begun with the excuse it was to protect him, but it was obvious he was never going to be given the choice of moving back. They hadn’t spoken of it yet, but eventually, Grady was probably going to bring it up. It wasn’t fair to him that Nix was still registered with the school as his roommate when he wasn’t ever there.

“Are you still trying to climb ranks on the app?” Khloe asked Dew. “We’re graduating this year. Why even bother? Just use it to hook up, have a good time, and stop stressing over it.”

“She’s right,” Grady said. “Considering Nix here already bagged all the important Kings anyway, why are you still trying?”

“There are other Kings,” Nix reminded, mostly because he felt weird about this topic and his place within it.

Both Khloe and Dew had Enigma accounts and actively used them. They weren’t shy about that fact either, even though Dew was the one who was constantly talking about it. Neither had made it up to the Kings tier, and it didn’t really seem like Khloe cared to.

If she knew what the app was really for, created as a means to vet potential future members of Club Essential, would she change her mind?

“Well sure, but it’s not like we can guess who any of the others are,” Dew pointed out. “What if they’re, like, ugly or something?”

Grady snorted. “You’re pathetic.”

“I’ve got taste,” he corrected. “Sue me.”

“I will if you keep bringing this up.”

“Whatever. Nix gets me. Don’t you?”

“I mean…” Nix cleared his throat. “Not really?”

“Oh, come on. You don’t have to fib for Grady’s sake.” He motioned to his neck. “You even let one of them bite you!”

Let was a strong word…

Nix adjusted his collar to conceal the scar better, but that only set Dew off more.

“It’s not fair. If I’d been given a claiming mark by someone in the line of succession, I’d be showing it off to everyone, including strangers on the street. Do you think I should try and seduce Professor Bardin?”

Khloe laughed. “Yeah, right. As if you could pull Beck Bardin.”

Dew glared at her, the overall vibe of the conversation swiftly darkening. “What? You don’t think I’m good enough for him or something?”

“Whoa,” she held up her hands. “No, not at all. That’s not what I meant. It’s just so many people have tried, but he’s never interested. I don’t think Beck’s dated anyone.”

“Not publicly,” Dew said. “We can’t know about his private life.”

Since the redhead seemed legitimately upset, Nix figured now was the best time to change the subject. Unfortunately, he couldn’t really think of anything to say, so he ended up blurting, “Hey, have any of you ever heard of Serendipity before?”

Three sets of eyes all turned to him at once in an eerie fashion that had Nix’s hackles rising.

“What?” He’d felt it was safe to ask since they’d already told him none of them had ever gotten far enough in the app to even speak to one of the Kings. His real hope had been they’d heard a rumor or something, since they were so active on Enigma and someone had to have hooked up with Serendipity at some point.

“Did one of them threaten you?” Grady demanded to know, and Nix’s frown deepened.

“What? Who?”

“The Demons.”

“Why would they…?”

“It’s Rase,” Dew finally answered for them. “Serendipity? That was his Enigma username.”

“Rase?” The guy Yejun had famously blinded in the cafeteria? That didn’t make sense. “He can’t be.”

Wouldn’t Lake have known? And what about the others? They’d mentioned Iris in passing a few times, but no one had said anything about Rase being involved with her or her supposed schemes.

“It’s definitely him,” Grady said.

“Why are you asking?” Dew tilted his head. “Are the Demons not done with him?”

“Last I heard,” Khloe pursed her lips, “he moved to the other side of the planet and changed his name.”

“I thought he moved off planet.”

“It would be hard to find him either way,” Grady stated.

“Not for the Demons,” Dew corrected.

Only, it wasn’t the Demons who wanted him found, it was Nix, and Nix didn’t have any power.

“Sorry, it was just a random question,” Nix lied. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I thought I saw the username somewhere, that’s all.”

He wasn’t ready to believe Lake was withholding important information. Either Lake hadn’t known since he’d been on the planet Vitality at the time, or there was more to this story than his friends knew. Considering how private the Demons actually were, that wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.

“Makes sense,” Dew said. “Some people still talk about it.” His multi-slate dinged and suddenly he was buzzing with excitement. “Gotta go!”

Khloe shook her head after his retreating form as he raced away without another word. “That guy will do anything for sex.”

“You're one to talk,” Grady joked, grimacing when she whacked him on the shoulder.

“Are you headed back to the Roost?” she asked Nix who nodded. “I’ve got another class to get to. I’ll see you later.”

“I’m going with her. I’ve got one in the same building in twenty.” Grady paused and gave him a serious look. “Are you really okay?”

“Yeah,” he smiled reassuringly. “You don’t have to keep worrying about me. Everything is fine.”

“All right. But if they ever do something to you…”

“Thanks.” Nix wouldn’t involve Grady anymore than he already had, but for his friend's peace of mind, he’d keep that to himself. “I’ll catch you guys later.”

“Later.”

Alone with his thoughts, Nix took his time walking to the Roost, trying to come up with as many excuses for Lake as he could before he confronted him. It was foolish of him to even want to give the Imperial an out, but finding this hacker was something Lake wanted just as much as Nix did. Why would he keep pertinent information to himself?

When Nix had brought up the name Serendipity, Lake had acted like he’d never heard it, but he couldn’t have been the only one to think of searching Iris’s logs. West would have definitely done so himself once they’d discovered her betrayal, but he and Yejun had also acted like they didn’t know…

There was this uncomfortable feeling slowly taking over him, an apprehension, almost as though he dreaded finding out they’d all deceived him. As if he’d convinced himself they wouldn’t. As if he’d forgotten the situation.

These past couple of weeks, they’d all been nice to him, but that didn’t erase the past. It didn’t change their beginning, and it did nothing to alter the fact that Nix was a captive. All of these tiny loosening of the reigns—letting him eat with his friends, letting him hang out with Juri sometimes on campus—they’d done the exact thing Lake and the others had no doubt hoped for.

They’d tricked Nix into a false sense of security. Tricked him into thinking they wouldn’t use him like they did everyone else.

He lifted his multi-slate as he walked and opened the group chat one of them had created at some point after he’d moved into the Roost.

Nightingale: We need to talk.

Since they’d said they’d be busy, he wasn’t expecting anyone to respond right away, so was a little surprised when his device dinged almost immediately after hitting send.

Hellhound: What’s up, babe?

Incubus: Did something happen?

Maestro: I’m on my way.

Nix paused and stared down at the screen as all three messages came in almost at the same time. It certainly sounded like they cared about him enough not to dick him around but…Was he being fooled? Was he playing into their hand?

He’d thought it before, that this could all be some game. That the hacker they were supposedly tasked with finding might not even be real, but he’d put those doubts almost immediately aside because of how ludicrous that would be. Now, those doubts returned. He hated second-guessing everything.

Hated how they were tearing him apart at the fundamentals and leaving him to poorly attempt to stitch himself back together.

Hated that he was only barely managing to piece himself into some almost recognizable form.

Nightingale: Not an emergency. No need to rush home.

He wasn’t ready. He thought he wanted to confront them right away, but the more he was left with this sick feeling in his gut, the more cowardly he found himself becoming. How many times was he going to have to be put through this? How many more occasions would he fret and wonder over their motives and how truthful they were being? Was this going to be his life? Forever?

“You can’t run,” he reminded himself, whispering it under his breath as he forced his legs to start moving once more. Running wasn’t an option. Which meant he needed to think up some other way to protect himself, or at least, what little bit of the original him was left.

“Nix.”

He was still pretty distracted by his own thoughts, so even though he registered someone had called him, he wasn’t able to place the voice until he was looking up and his eyes landed on a familiar man.

“Briant.”

Branwen’s older brother was nearly four years their senior, a big enough age gap that they hadn’t played very much as children. Nix had always been a lot closer with his sister than Briant, but seeing how withered he appeared had something protective sparking to life within him.

“You don’t look well.” They weren’t far from the Roost, but Nix didn’t bother pulling him to the side of the path. He took him in, concern growing stronger with each sweep of his gaze.

Briant had always been a big guy, tall, with broad shoulders and muscular. He’d been on several sports teams that kept him busy throughout the year, another reason why he and Nix hadn’t spent much time together, and had always prided himself on physical fitness. In college, he’d majored in sports medicine and had gotten a pretty good job immediately after graduation.

He was still broad, but had lost enough muscle mass it was instantly noticeable even with his clothes on. His brown hair was also unkempt, and he had a short beard that could use a trim. The bags under his amber eyes were blotchy and only drew attention to his dry skin.

“I’m holding up,” Briant said, trying to offer a reassuring smile and failing miserably. “My parents…They’re not doing good at all.”

“You’re not doing good,” Nix reiterated, resting a hand on his arm. “When was the last time you slept?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “A couple days ago? I couldn’t sleep on the flight over. I was too anxious.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I wanted to surprise you. And I was worried. I haven’t heard from you since you enrolled. What if…” Briant stopped and shook his head. “I was overreacting. Clearly. You look fine.”

Did he?

Despite all of the stress he was under, Nix had to admit he was still sleeping and eating regularly.

Great. Another guilt to add to the list.

“I know you said not to tell our parents, but when I didn’t hear from you—”

“Did you tell them?!” Nix stepped in closer, eyes going wide. If they knew the true reason he’d come here, they’d insist on him quitting and returning home, and if that happened, they’d find out about Lake and the others for sure.

Nix wasn’t ready for that either.

Wasn’t ready for his family to know how low he’d fallen. That he was now considered someone else’s property.

“No, of course not,” Briant said. “But that’s why I had to hop on a plane. If I didn’t see you, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold back any longer. I was fine with you not telling me what was written in the letter because those were private words my sister meant for you only, but…There’s got to be a reason you came all the way here after reading it. And a reason you plan to leave after only a single semester.”

“I…” Nix glanced away. “Actually, I think I’m going to graduate from here after all.”

“What?” Briant frowned. “Why? You’ve never been interested in Foxglove.”

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged, “there’s actually a lot to do here.”

Like Lake.

And Yejun.

And West.

“Why are you flushed all of a sudden?” Briant placed the back of his hand on Nix’s forehead, testing his temperature. “Are you ill?”

“No. I’m fine really.”

“Nix—” Briant let out a startled sound as he was suddenly yanked away by the back of his shirt and tossed a couple of yards off to the side.

Yejun stood between them glaring.

“Wait, it’s not what it looks like.” Nix took a step forward but before he could do anything else, the Demon stiffened.

“I know you,” his voice was practically unrecognizable, gravelly and filled with hatred. He was staring at Briant, the look in his eye changing from jealous anger to pure, undiluted hatred faster than Nix could blink. “I know who you are.”

In the next instant, Yejun had Briant by the front of his shirt and was swinging. “How dare you come here!”

“No, stop!” Nix tried to rush forward, but someone grabbed his arm, and with a hiss he turned to find Lake was there as well. “He didn’t do anything! Let go!”

Briant made a pained sound and tried to fight back, even getting in one or two decent punches, but he really was out of shape and it showed. He faltered too easily, gave Yejun too many openings. It wasn’t long before his face was bloody and he was lying on his back in the grass with the violent Demon straddling him.

“He’s my cousin!” Nix yelled at the top of his lungs, not sure he could get through to Yejun otherwise. He felt Lake’s hold finally loosen at least, and he pulled away and was kneeling at Briant’s side in an instant, shoving Yejun off of him and dragging him a few feet away, as if that would provide a safe distance.

Briant coughed and hacked, his left eye already starting to swell shut. His nose was definitely broken, and his lips were split in at least three places. He clung to Nix’s arms, allowing him to cradle him protectively.

When they’d been kids, it’d been the other way around. Briant had always shown up when he or Branwen had needed an older brother figure to step in. He’d always seemed larger than life. Unbreakable.

A stricken sound slipped out of Nix before he could help it. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Phoenix,” it was clearly a struggle just to get that one word out.

Nix looked to Lake. “We have to get him to a doctor!”

Lake was busy staring at Yejun though, and Yejun…

Yejun’s gaze was fixed on Nix as though he’d never seen him before. As if they were strangers.

A rush of fear trailed down his spine and Nix instinctively clutched Briant closer.

“Tell me you’re lying, Firebird,” Yejun’s voice didn’t change back from that scary one.

Sensing he’d accidentally made things worse, Nix once again turned to Lake for help, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to get any.

“ He’s ,” Yejun pointed at Briant, “your cousin?”

Nix couldn’t answer. This wasn’t the person he’d come to know this past month.

“Iris’s brother is your cousin?” Yejun snapped finally.

No…

“How do you…” Nix winced when Yejun let out a string of curses.

“The two of them were her fucking phone background! I recognize his face! What the fuck is going on right now? Are you—” Yejun was stopped by Lake the same way he’d held Nix back only a few minutes ago. One look at his best friends face and he put the pieces together. “You knew.”

Lake didn’t get a chance to respond.

Yejun pulled back and decked him.

“You fucking knew and you didn’t tell me!” Yejun went to hit him again, but this time Lake caught his fist.

“Let me explain,” he said coolly, as though they were talking about something as innocent as cheating on a math test.

“Nix!” Juri came running from across the quad then, probably having spotted them or heard the yelling.

When Nix twisted in that direction, it was to find that his friend wasn’t the only one. The Roost was a bit more separated from the rest of campus than any other building, so the small crowd was a distance from them and probably couldn’t overhear what was said verbatim, but they’d caught their attention and were being watched.

Juri came to Nix’s side. “What’s happening?”

“Take him,” Nix quickly transferred his cousin to the other guy’s lap. “Please. Get him to a hospital.” He was too afraid to take even a single step away from the Demons himself, but Briant couldn’t wait any longer. He needed immediate medical attention.

He needed to be far, far away from Yejun Sang.

Juri frowned down at the stranger in his arms.

“He’s my older cousin,” Nix explained, tone hushed in a poor attempt not to set Yejun off again. “Please.”

“I’ll keep him safe,” Juri promised. “But…” His eyes wandered past Nix’s shoulder at the others. “What about you?”

“Make any funny moves and I’ll snap your shin,” Yejun growled, proving Nix’s survival instincts were spot on.

“I won’t,” he raised his voice and promised. Then to Juri, “Hurry.”

“Let him go,” Lake urged Yejun when it seemed like he was about to protest.

“Like hell! He’s her brother! What if he had something to do with this?! What if—”

“Nix didn’t know,” Lake insisted. “We only just discovered it recently.”

Yejun went still.

Juri helped Briant to his feet and started to retreat, making sure to keep the Demons in his line of sight for as long as possible.

Briant tried to reach for Nix, but he was in a bad way and his head lolled a second later. He remained conscious, but barely.

Helplessly, Nix forced himself to remain on the ground, waiting and watching as his cousin was taken away from the threat. Though, for how long he’d be able to stay that way was up for debate.

Nix couldn’t allow anything like this to happen again. Couldn’t allow for anything worse to happen. He thought about Rase and shuddered.

“That’s why you bit him,” Yejun brought Nix’s attention back his way, “isn’t it.”

Lake’s mouth thinned into a line, but he didn’t bother to deny it.

“My cousin’s name is Branwen Cherith,” Nix risked speaking up, though he regretted it when that terrifying gaze landed back on him. “I don’t know why she used an alias when she was here. I had no idea she went by Iris. By the time I discovered it…”

“Gonna feed me some bullshit about liking me too much to hurt my delicate feelings?” Yejun offered.

“No, it’s not…like that.”

“Oh?” He snorted derisively. “So it’s my cock then, right? You liked getting dicked down enough you figured may as well keep the secret so you can keep getting it.”

“That’s enough, June,” Lake said, but his best friend wasn’t listening.

Yejun stormed forward and grabbed Nix’s arm, yanking him onto his feet with little care as to whether or not it hurt in the process.

To his credit, Nix only slightly stumbled, allowing Yejun to drag him the rest of the way to the Roost even though every instinct was screaming at him to break free and run for his life.

He knew what was coming the second he was forced behind closed doors, but at least if Yejun was occupied with him, that meant he wasn’t racing after Briant to finish what he’d started.

Briant was the only cousin Nix had left.

He’d do whatever he had to in order to protect him.

Even let a Demon take his anger out on his body instead.