Chapter 18

Selene’s pov

I was still trying to make sense of what Darius was saying. "I thought he's the rightful alpha of this Park. What exactly are you talking about?"

Darius grinned. "There's so much you don't know about us, so much you have to learn, and yet he keeps you cooped up in here. That's not very wise of him."

"Well then, you tell me," I said, taking a step closer to him. If there was a chance I could use him to get the information I needed about this place, I certainly would.

He shook his head, dashing my hopes nicely. "You can't learn all there is to learn in one day, and I would have to take you to the study to see the proof of what I'm actually saying. Else I could be seen as just deceiving you."

"That's fair enough," I replied. "Let's go. You can take me on a tour around this place also."

He laughed at this. "Well, that's such a nice way to put it."

"Come on, Darius. You told me if I needed a friend you would be one to me. This is how you be my friend," I whined. I hadn't asked him to come to my room the first time, but since he had mentioned it, I thought I could use what he said to my advantage.

"I see what you're trying to do there," he said. "But if I'm going to get myself into trouble with my brother—which I definitely would by spending long hours with you, taking you on tours—it has to be for a good reason."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "And what reason do you have in mind?"

"Let's see now," he tapped his chin, pretending to think, but I knew that he already had something he wanted to request of me. I knew his kind, coming in as a nice person with an ulterior motive in mind. He wanted to use me for his own motives, just as Lucian did—there was no difference between the two brothers.

"I have a plan in mind, and you would be a very exceptional addition if you choose to be a part of it." He stepped closer to me, much closer, so that there was little space between us. "Having you on my team would be the biggest asset. I can feel it."

"I have a feeling you're not talking about a football team," I deadpanned, and he laughed.

"No, dear. I love your sense of humor, but no, you're right—I'm not talking about football. I want to overthrow my brother."

My frown deepened. "What?"

"Well, did I mince words?" he asked. "I don't think I did. You see, I'm not like Lucian that passes things through corners. I tell you what I want straight up, and you have the choice to either accept or not. And what I want is for you to be part of my team in overthrowing my brother."

"Does he know that you are planning such a thing?"

"Who knows? I'm sure the news has gotten to him somehow, but he's too arrogant to care. Or I don't really mind him knowing," he replied.

The confidence this man was exuding was unbelievable. Usually, when planning things like this, it was to be kept a secret, but he didn't even seem to care if Lucian knew or not. At this point, I didn't know who I should be more afraid of—Lucian or Darius. They both seemed dangerous.

I began to shake my head, but he clicked his tongue, eyes never leaving mine. "I'm offering you the chance to level the playing field. Or do you not realize yet that you are at a disadvantage? He controls you!"

"Why do you think he wants you to always stay in your room?" he demanded. "He found a way to harness your powers and to limit them as long as you're within these four walls, and also put a hex on that door to make sure you can't get out. It's only a matter of time before he puts you in chains too."

"Stop!" I shouted, turning away from him. I remembered the first few days of my captivity where I was held in chains, just before the operatives scheme. I hated the confinement of those things on my wrists, and Darius bringing it up was a low blow.

"You know it's true," he tilted his head to one side. "My brother is oppressive, and you're one more person he has exercised his power on."

"I have decided that his reign has gone on for long enough. It's time for me to bring him down—no one else can do it." He placed a hand on my shoulder, his convincing words washing over me. "Join me to bring him down, and I will grant you what you desire the most: your freedom."

I don't know how he did it, how he managed to make his words sound appealing, but I actually considered what he was saying. Despite how much sense it made for me to join him, it did not sit well with me to overthrow Lucian.

For some strange reason that I could not put a name to, I wanted to give Lucian a chance to prove himself to me, to learn why he was the way he was, and to see for myself if Darius's claims against him were true.

Maybe it was because of the similarities Darius had with someone else I knew before. I knew his kind, showing up at the most vulnerable moments with an escape plan that came with a catch, just like my aunt Melissa.

I pulled away from him. "I don't trust you."

His smile returned, replacing his serious expression. "Smart girl. It would have been very alarming for me if you had actually taken up the offer immediately."

I frowned, seeing how every move I took was playing right into the script he had planned.

"But trust or not, at some point, you will have to make a choice: stay under his thumb or fight for yourself. I hope you will choose wisely."

His words were not one bit consoling, but I had made my decision already, so I was not going back on it. I told myself I just wanted to give Lucian a chance, but I had a feeling that it was much more than that.