Lady Killer (Dead Girls Club #2)

37. Luz

Chapter thirty-seven

Luz

T he Blackwells took the news about Mami much better than I would have anticipated. Although I got the impression Lucian would have more questions for me soon.

When the dust settled, we had tentatively agreed to follow my plan, provided I spent some time demonstrating my skills.

It wouldn’t be easy, but I was confident I could do it.

Still, when I tucked myself into bed that night, my mind was racing a million miles per hour .

The door creaked open, and I bolted upright.

“It’s me, Starbright.” Everest slunk into the room, his fair features making him look like a ghost in the moonlight.

I relaxed into my mountain of pillows as he slipped off his loafers and climbed into bed next to me.

“You didn’t have much to say at dinner,” I said, rolling over onto my side to face him.

Lying down next to me, he pulled me close before reaching up to push my hair from my face. “You aren’t going back, so there is nothing to talk about,” he said, looking me dead in the eyes.

“Ever,” I began, but he silenced me with a finger over my lips.

Draping his leg across mine, he pressed our foreheads together. “I was right,” he whispered, pressing one of his soft kisses on the end of my nose.

“About what?”

“You. You’re perfect, little killer.”

I frowned, confused at what he meant.

“Those boys deserved the deaths you gave them. Not only that, but you did it all alone.”

“I had Mami’s help for Kai. ”

His fingers teased idly up and down the back of my neck. “She was one woman. Without any power, what would she have done if you were caught?”

Indignation flared in me. “We made ourselves powerful.”

“I didn’t mean it as an insult, Starbright,” he said, concern etched on his brow. “When I kill, I have the full force of the Blackwells behind me, no matter how pissy Lucian gets with me. There’s a better chance of me being struck down dead by lightning than there is of me getting caught.”

He caressed me.

“You and your mother, you killed because it was the right thing to do, knowing you might get caught. Fearless, brilliant, bold . . . Maybe one day, I’ll be half the killer you are, darling.”

I blinked, fighting back the tears building in my eyes. “That might have been the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I told you, Starbright, I see you.”

My throat felt swollen, but I forced myself to speak despite the discomfort. “I think . . . I think I’m starting to understand that.”

Ever’s eyes flared, and he captured my lips in a rapturous kiss, pulling me on top of his lean frame .

When he released me, we were both panting, and I had the urge to pull him right back to me. But before I could, he spoke.

“Do you want to see me, darling?”

“Always.”

The word slipped out from me, but before I could take it back, I realized it was true.

I wanted to see Everest. To truly know him. Alister too.

From their first kills to their favorite foods to why Everest always wore loafers. I wanted to know everything.

Giving me one of his patented Cheshire smiles, Ever patted his chest, and I laid my head down and snuggled up against him.

“Four score and seven years—?”

“Stop.” I giggled, smacking his chest.

I, Luz Torres, just giggled. Over a man.

He planted another kiss on my forehead. “Sorry, love. I’ll always take the chance to make you laugh. Now, where was I?

“Once upon a time, there was an itty-bitty baby named Everest. He was born to a mommy and daddy, who were just about the nicest, kindest people around.” His voice was light and happy.

“From the very beginning, he knew he was different. That he wasn’t very nice or very kind at all. But his mommy and daddy were so good, so kind, that they loved him anyways, no matter how different he was. And so, while he wasn’t always the nicest boy, he was smart, and he tried hard to make his mommy and daddy happy.”

I could oddly see it. Everest would do anything for those he cared about.

“One day, they told him about this big fancy school that he might be able to go to, if he worked really hard. So, he did, and he got in, and his parents were so excited! The school was a great opportunity for him, and it was there that he made his first friend, a boy named Lucian.”

I tried to imagine a young Everest and Lucian meeting. I would have to hear that story another day.

“Lucian was like Everest, smart and hardworking, but not very nice.”

He paused, weaving his fingers in between mine.

“Unlike Everest, Lucian was very, very important. So important, that sometimes, other people wanted to hurt him.”

My heart panged for a young Lucian. I knew what it was like to be raised under the constant threat of pain . . . of death.

“One day, two men tried to hurt Everest’s new friend. He couldn’t have that. So, do you know what he did, Starbright? ”

“What did he do?” I said, looking up at his pale blue eyes.

“He killed them,” Everest said proudly. “He stabbed their eyes with his pencil until they couldn’t see anymore, and then he stabbed their throats until they couldn’t breathe anymore.”

“You’re a good friend, Ever,” I said sleepily into his chest.

“After that, Lucian said that Everest was his best friend, and he would always protect him, no matter what.”

“What about his mommy and daddy? I thought they protected the little boy.”

Everest sighed. “They did, love, they did. For a long time, as long as they could. But one day, when the boy was not much older, they died.”

My poor, sweet Ever. He had mentioned his parents’ death before, but I didn’t realize it was when he was young.

“It was an accident. A car accident. They lost control during a flash flood and crashed. After that, Lucian was the only person the boy had left.”

He looked thoughtful.

“Lucian didn’t just protect him, he took him in, let him live with him and his family. And so, while the boy missed his mom and dad, he was happy, with Lucian.”

“And with time, they grew to love each other?” I asked, snuggling deeper into him .

He laughed. “Something like that. It’s a bit of a filthy story. We’ll have to save it for another night.”

“I’m sorry about your parents. I would give anything to have Mami back.”

“They were amazing parents,” he said as he played with my hair.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence, and before long, I drifted off to sleep . . .

My phone startled me awake.

BUZZ

I was still on top of Everest. With his eyes closed, and his lips relaxed, he looked angelic, almost innocent.

Once, I had been disturbed by the idea that we might be alike. But more and more, I was coming to appreciate just how very similar we were.

BUZZ.

Disentangling myself from him, I rolled over to grab my phone off the nightstand.

It was Simone.

Simone: The police are announcing that they believe the Virgin Sacrifice Killer has Autumn .

Her words felt like a bucket of ice water being dumped on me. A stark reminder of everything that was at stake.

I had to make my move tonight.

Autumn couldn’t wait any longer.

Ever took off early that morning on a job, giving me the opportunity to seek out Lucian.

Trusting my instincts, I padded through the halls of the manor, making my way down to the lower west wing, where his office was located.

Sure enough, he was there.

The door was cracked open, giving me the rare opportunity to study the man unnoticed.

If I had thought that catching him off guard might show me a softer side of Lucian, I was sorely disappointed.

In the soft morning light, he looked like an ancient god, fallen from Olympus. Larger than life, with hands that could crush a mere mortal to death. The stern expression he wore only underscored his authority.

This was the man who had promised to kill me.

Steeling myself, I knocked on the door. The two of us needed to come to an understanding .

“What can I do for you, Luz?” he said without looking up, revealing he was more aware of me than I initially thought.

What a man wants you to see tells you what he’s trying to hide, mija.

I walked into his office with my head held high. I hadn’t been cowed by him before, and I wouldn’t be now.

Choosing the seat nearest his desk, I sat down.

Chin up, shoulders back, spine straight, ankles crossed.

“I am going to my dorm tonight. We both know it’s the best way to lure the killer in.”

Lucian said nothing but inclined his head as he folded his hands together.

“I need you to keep Everest out of the way.”

“You’re coming to me behind his back?” His brow was raised, and his voice dropped.

Something pinched in my chest at Lucian’s disapproval, but I shrugged it off. “He already told me he won’t let me go. You can’t have a discussion with someone who won’t hear you.”

I was aware what a hypocrite Lucian must believe me to be. My frustrations with Everest’s secrets, only to ask him to keep my own. Still, I could bear his disapproval, and Everest’s disappointment, if it saved Autumn’s life .

“And what happens when the killer overpowers you and I have to explain to him that you are missing or worse . . .”

I scowled. “Probably the same thing as when you have to kill me because we haven’t caught the killer.”

Lucian bristled, opening his mouth to speak, but I was tired of playing by their rules. I didn’t need a Blackwell’s permission to do anything.

Last night was an excellent reminder that I had been killing long before they came along.

“You want me dead regardless. At least this way I have a fighting chance to catch the killer and save myself and my friend.”

Lucian leaned forward, his mouth a grim slash across his stony face. “Don’t presume to know what I want.”

Frustration flashed through me, and I started to argue but he cut me off.

“As I told you, killing you isn’t personal. The Blackwells are more than a family, we are an institution, an empire, a beast unto itself.” He stopped, taking a deep breath. “Do you know what our creed is?”

I took a guess. “Veritas au mort? Truth or death?”

Lucian looked at me like I was an idiot. The resemblance to Locke was actually striking. “That is the university’s motto.”

I shrugged .

“Blood and power.” His voice was flat, belying the authority with which he delivered the words.

“Blackwells are Blackwells by the blood that we spill and the blood that we hold in our veins. It is through blood that we came to power. And it is through blood that we will stay in power. Our reputation, our traditions, our family supersede the desires of any one Blackwell. Our rules supersede the desires of any one Blackwell.”

He leaned even farther over his desk, and once again, a pleasant prickling sensation ran down my spine. “If you die, it will be because you failed to deliver on your end of the very generous deal I offered, when you broke those rules.”

I suppressed a snort.

Did Lucian Blackwell really think he was the first man to threaten me? Every single man I had killed believed himself more powerful than me, right up until he died.

“However, if you wish to place yourself in the killer’s path, far be it from me to stop you.”

I kept my face neutral instead of revealing my surprise. “And what about Everest?”

“You are lucky that he has a work obligation today and is likely counting on you not charging ahead so recklessly.”

That was it then. I had gotten what I wanted. So why did I feel uneasy?

Brushing it off, I began to rise from my seat. “I’ll go tell Alister and Nixon.”

Lucian wasn’t done with me. “Do you know why I am allowing this?”

I was stuck, halfway in and halfway out of my chair. “No?”

“Everest and Alister are currently under the false impression that they want you. Need you in fact. Do you know the easiest way to prove them wrong?”

Standing up slowly, I pinched my lips. It was obvious where he was going with this. “Get rid of me.”

“Not quite, although, I suppose either way you’ll remove yourself from the equation in the end.”

“My relationship with—?”

“Do you know why they’re so fascinated with you? It’s not because they care for you. Everest and Alister have more blood on their hands than you can imagine, little girl.

“It’s because you’re an anomaly. A victim and a killer. Once the rush of protecting you disappears, so will their interest.”

Acid churned in my stomach. He was lying. I knew that. But his words burned me all the same.

It wasn’t enough for Lucian Blackwell to want to kill me .

He had to try to hurt me too. Make me feel small and worthless compared to the men he cared for.

I promised myself that, if I survived this, I would make him pay for it.