122. Pax
Chapter 122
Pax
W e’re a month out from final exams, which means the summer isn’t far behind. I feel like I’ve been sleepwalking through this semester and if I want to raise my grades; I need to ace all my assignments and tests from here on out. Thea swears she’s going to have a higher grade than each of us in our respective classes, and we all vow to prove her wrong.
Is it a manipulative way to get Finn to focus on his classes? Yes. Does he care? No, and neither do I. The competition is drawn out foreplay and I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I’m also enjoying longer workouts and showers in the morning, now that we’re no longer wasting time with the fashion show.
Finn’s humming as he turns the pages in his textbook. I tease, “Someone’s chipper this afternoon.”
“That’s because things are finally looking up for all of us.”
Things have been better. Thea’s been less antagonistic towards me, even though she still doesn’t fully trust me. Holden and I go to her place a few times a week to hang out with Finn. On the nights when she’s at her parents or hanging out with her friends, or when Finn’s being Finn, he sleeps at the dorm.
We’ve hit a dead end with the clues we were following, and are relying on the other prospects to lead us to new ones in the bloodline challenge. I make it through typing the next few paragraphs in my paper before a commotion on the other side of the room drags my attention away.
“What do you mean, it’s gone?”
The guy patting his pockets answers, “I had it walking across campus and now… I must’ve dropped it.”
Two other people get up from the table, one declaring, “We need to find it.” I can feel the sense of urgency in his words. They rush out of the library as phones start ringing and vibrating around us.
00020
Emergency session requested. Details to follow.
I read the message twice before putting my phone away. I can read it a third time and it still wouldn’t shed any light on who requested the session or why. My friends and I share a look. We’re all thinking the same thing. Something big is happening.
A week passed before we got additional instructions for the emergency session, and those were to simply check in with our mentors. Mine has been out of town until today. My father rushes at me as soon as I enter the house. “What have you done?” His voice vibrates with anger as he shoves me against the wall.
“Nothing.” I say, genuinely confused about what he’s talking about.
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
He doesn’t really want me answering that question, so I remain silent.
“I have cameras all over the cabin that continue to run after the main feed has been cut. I saw you enter my vault and my anterior room. So I’m gonna ask you one more time. What did you do?”
He’s crushing my windpipe, making it hard to swallow, let alone talk, but I still manage to get out. “What did you do? I saw the little book binding factory you had set up in there. How many charge books circulating out there are forgeries?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, boy.”
“Maybe not. But I’m sure a lot of people in The League would be interested in hearing what I have to say. Especially your Trium.”
“They won’t give a shit about books that aren’t in use anymore.”
“But they will care when I tell them about you threatening their sons. What do you think Parker will do when I tell him you’re the reason those people came after Holden when we were kids?”
“You’re delusional.” His face never changes, but his grip slips.
“Am I? You said it yourself. With no other Trium heirs, you’d be free to start your own, with people loyal to you. Eliminating Holden when we were kids would have made that easier for you. No one would have questioned him being kidnapped or looked at you as a suspect.”
“You can’t tie any of that to me.”
“I couldn’t. I never would have thought you were involved, but then you took Thea, who had a lot to say about her food being drugged.”
“Whatever they did to that girl at Riverside County Correctional Facilities has nothing to do with me.” He looks smug as shit, thinking he’s insulated by the story Thea gave about her disappearance. “And the cartel went after Holden because of who his father is. You have no proof that either of those incidents had anything to do with me.”
“Because you let everyone else do your dirty work. I can’t prove any of it, but I don’t need to. I just need to get enough people talking about it to get the high council’s attention.”
“Do I need to remind you what’s at stake for you?”
“I don’t give a shit. I’m done bending to your rules.” Smiling at him, I taunt. “I wonder why they’ve called an emergency session. Do you think that would be a good time to unburden myself?”
“I know all about what you and your friends have been up to, but you won’t be saying anything to anyone.”
Things happen quickly. I see his hand come up and go to block it, but his other hand jabs a needle into my neck. The drug takes effect quickly. I crash into the wall and fall face first on the floor. I can hear and see, but I can’t move.
“I know exactly what the emergency session is for. I’ll be calling for a vote to remove your grandfather. I have the votes and I won’t let anyone, least of all, you, get in my way. Some time in Rockridge should change your perception of things and remind you that your loyalty belongs to me!”
No matter how much I strain, my body refuses to move.
“You were right.” He says, leaning over me. “There are forged charge books out there, which I’ve already arranged to have brought to chambers. Only it’s not our bloodline that’ll be called into question. It’s your friends; and I know Moira’s bitch of a daughter has been gathering items and plans to claim that fourth bloodline. She’ll never make it to chambers to present her findings.”
He kicks me, the force of it rolls me onto my back. “She should’ve taken my deal.” Smiling down at me, he says, “Today’s been a good day, and I’m feeling gracious, so I’m willing to give her another chance.”
I want to laugh in his face and tell him to hold his breath until he croaks. Thea’s answer will still be no.
“This time I’ll incentivize her instead of wasting my time forcing her compliance. She can say yes, or watch someone she cares about endure everything she did.”
He shows me a picture on his phone. “I must admit I know nothing at all about… Layla Jean Breland, except that Theona is very protective of her. Do you think this is the motivation she needs to cave to my demands?”