Revived (The Lucidites Book 3) by Sarah Noffke

before he tugs it down with a graceful smile.
    “Thanks for everything, George. Get some more rest. I’ll see you later,” I say, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
    He affirms with a wave.
    The clock says it’s after lunch, and although I haven’t eaten, I’m not the least bit hungry. Still I open the container of food Joseph brought.
    “Chicken?!” I yell, shoving the container away like it’s a box of eyeballs. “Are you insane?”
    “Well, Stark, I thought now that you’ve been bitten by the vampire you were into meat.” He chuckles, too amused for his own good.
    “Very funny.”
    “Had to make sure you were still the same person after last night. Thought you might be a possessed demon freak by now,” he says, plopping down on my bed and almost causing the grotesque salad to spill on my bed covers.
    I thrust the container at him. “I’ve been embedded. Would you give me a freaking break?!” I say, my face suddenly hot. “You think I like what happened last night?! I thought you were supposed to help me in situations like this, not make them worse!”
    “That’s what I was trying to do,” he says, tossing the container on the table. “I was trying to get you the help you won’t ask for. That’s why I went to Trey. He’s contacted you, right?”
    I turn and face Joseph directly. Pinning both my hands on the bed, I stare into his eyes—murder written on my face. His left eye twitches, but he doesn’t budge while I stare him down. “Oh yeah, he contacted me all right. We had a little meeting around four this morning. Your father asked me to explain in detail what happened between Chase and me…in front of Ren and Aiden. Thanks for the help, Joseph. Next time leave me the hell alone.”
    Joseph’s eyes go wide. Color drains from his face. “Stark, I am so sorry,” Joseph says, covering his face with his hands. “Our father is thicker than you, apparently. What an idiotic thing to make someone do.”
    “He seemed to think it was some strategy session or something,” I explain.
    “That’s a real jerk move,” Joseph exclaims when I tell him that Trey refuses to reveal why Chase is after me. “I thought he said the Institute was forever in your debt. I say you cash in on that now, and make him pay interest.”
    “I threatened to go and ask Chase directly.” I laugh morbidly.
    “Stark!” Joseph reprimands.
    “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going to do it. I’ve got a better idea now,” I say, purposely being elusive.
    “Well, can I help?” Joseph asks, leaning forward.
    “Nope, I think I’m at my limit with your help.”
    “Well, since you already hate me, there’s no harm in saying that watchin’ you make out with Ted Bundy was just ’bout the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen,” Joseph says with a shiver.
    “Well, I hope it makes you feel exponentially uncomfortable to know that I was minutes away from wearing way less clothing.”
    “Your hopes have been achieved.”
    “How would you like to be forced to love a crazy person? To not control how you act around them?” I say, a new bitterness in my voice.
    “I’m sorry. I was making this about me…as I’m prone to. But this is almost too much for you to have to handle,” he says, softening.
    “It’s about time someone wonders how I’m dealing with this all.”
    “No one worries about your emotional well-being as much as they should, but that’s your own fault.” I stare at Joseph, waiting for him to continue. “You’re just too tough. It changes people’s expectations. They treat you differently and that’s probably how it should be anyway.”
    “Whatever,” I say.
    “So, news reporting?” Joseph changes the subject. “You wanna go and take some money outta Pop’s Institutional pockets?”
    I smile at his casual tone. He can switch gears faster than anyone I know. Although I seriously want to punch him for going to Trey, I still find him the easiest person to forgive. Who else could revive my