Chapter 14
fourteen
If I follow every rule, they’ll have no reason to hurt me. But if I burn it all down, maybe they’ll finally see me.
I used to think obedience would keep me safe. Smile pretty. Memorize the rituals. Let the men call it destiny. But lately, I wonder—what if Caliphylla lied? What if the punishment isn’t in breaking the rules, but in becoming the kind of woman who never dared?
I keep thinking about the boy with the crooked smile. Elliot. He doesn’t fit here—and I’m starting to think that I don’t either. Not really. I used to, didn’t I? Or maybe I just pretended better than the rest.
Would I still be Olivia Cardell without the pearls, without the titles, without my father’s voice in my ear? I don’t know. But I want to.
And that feels dangerous.
The mahogany-laden room is packed with the president of Northview University, the college deans, the senate, and board members, including my father.
All presidents of Greek Houses are here…
except for Hunter. Despite the importance of this situation, I can’t get my mind to focus.
All I can think about is the veiled riddle that Vanq left for me.
What did it mean?
I think I know where I’m supposed to go—beneath the Cathedral of Seven Moons. The crypt. Part of me wonders if it indicates that I’m to meet my appointed there. Was Vanq given an assignment to reveal my Viscount?
There’s no way he could be it. He can’t be a brother. I’d know him, right? Not to mention, I don’t see my father approving someone like him. I’m supposed to be with a politician. Perhaps a member of the board’s nephew.
Not a mask-wearing psychopath.
Anointed hands, a fate entwined… Does the lamb seek, or is she assigned?
That points to my Culling. My heart stutters at the thought of finally knowing who I’ll pledge my fealty to. Not just a name, but fate. A man who will own me: body, blood, breath. Who could it be?
Aiden taps my hand and widens his shimmery blue eyes at me when I glance up. He nods toward the president, and my breath gets caught in my chest.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, sir. I’ve been distracted. Could you repeat that?”
It’s only been three days since the bodies of the girls were pulled out of the cottages. It still doesn’t feel real that Naomi isn’t around. Every time I get out of the shower, I expect her to be in my room, waiting to gossip and vent about something the pledges did that day.
That’s when the tears start until I fall asleep with a stuffy nose.
I shift my bedtime thoughts to the Omega Hallow’s Eve party, which we’ll host at the end of the month. But I feel guilty for it when I’m reminded of all we’ve lost.
My father’s eyes narrow at me with concern. If I arouse too much suspicion, this could go very wrong.
“You have a very valid excuse, my dear,” President Harvey says with warmth in his voice. “Five of your sisters were confirmed dead after the game.” Clearing his throat, he addresses me with a deeper tone. “I understand Naomi Adesanya was your close friend. I’m sorry.”
Naomi’s name cracks like thunder inside my skull. A single tear threatens, but I trap it behind a blink. I can’t cry here. Not in front of any of them. Not when I don’t even know if I’m mourning her—or myself. I whisper, “Thank you, sir.”
One of the university board members from the Damon Institute leans over and speaks low in the president’s ear. He nods a reply, then addresses the room as we stand before his desk in a semicircle.
“While it’s very common that accidents have occurred during every Greek Game event, this one is unique in that so many sisters were taken from us.
” He pauses dramatically, capturing everyone’s eyes for a moment before he proceeds.
“We believe a rogue player, a masked man, is responsible for all their deaths. And those of the president and secretary of Beta Kappa Eta. This person is likely another student. We’re dealing with a serial killer. ”
A few stunned gasps fly into the air, and the president makes eye contact with each of us as he finishes with a dramatic comment. “Whoever he is, he’s currently at large.”
My fists tighten, and Aiden must notice something, so he grabs my arm to hold me up. “You okay?” he whispers, and I feel myself nodding a reply.
So Vanq is responsible for all their deaths. But who was the man who came at me in the escape room?
I barely hear the words that the Dean of Student Affairs informs the small crowd. Discussions with families… Floral arrangements and donations… Silent vigil planned for Sunday… Mass funeral tomorrow…
Blood gushes through my ears as I cling to my brother, steadying my wobbly knees.
The masked man—the one who kissed me, touched me, made me come without a word—he’s the one who killed them all.
He’s had every opportunity to end me... So why am I still alive?
“We need to know, Miss Cardell, if you have any ideas on where Hunter Remington or Bryce Holloway are. Beta Kappa Eta must be represented during these proceedings. And we’re worried that…they could have been some of the first victims.”
The entire room turns to me. My jaw unhinges, but no words come.
Aiden answers for me. “I think my sister is in a bit of shock. Could we just—”
“I don’t know.” Finally, I’m able to project my voice across the room. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. We broke up, and he hasn’t messaged me. I saw him last Saturday, and that’s it. That’s all I know.”
My father tilts his head, staring me down. Please, Dad. Don’t figure this out.
After several minutes of murmured speeches I can’t follow, President Harvey gains everyone’s attention once more.
“We’re all clear on the details, then?” His deep brown eyes find me until I shiver all over under his scrutinizing gaze.
Like a robot, I repeat the words I just heard.
“Yes. Sudden meningitis outbreak. All five presented symptoms. They declined rapidly. We lost them too soon. Omega has been quarantined for the weekend, and all other girls will be monitored. Free tests for everyone on campus. Anyone with symptoms should report to the clinic. Silent vigil on Sunday to mourn our losses as a community.”
One of the board members coughs softly into his fist, avoiding my eyes. Another scribbles something meaningless in the corner of his planner. No one speaks up. Not one asks a single question. Everyone here knows it’s complete bullshit. But they don’t care.
Or, they’re trying to survive.
As the meeting adjourns, my brother turns toward me as Dad approaches in two steps.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asks again as my father gathers me in his arms and then leads me from the room.
“Not here. Come outside, you two. Now.” His instruction is fierce, and his eyes dart among the crowd with suspicion.
We don’t speak as we hurry across campus toward the administration buildings. In a shadowed alley, Dad turns me and cups my face in both hands, piercing his gaze through mine. “My daughter, you tell me if something is going on. Please.”
The way he says it breaks my heart, and tears fill my eyes. Aiden looks both uncomfortable, glancing toward the end of the alley, and like he may be ready to kill someone.
I shake my head in his hold. “No. Nothing is going on…not that I know of.” Not yet. Unconfirmed. But possibly.
Dad looks as if he doesn’t believe me, and that hurts worse than anything. He gathers me into a tight embrace, my head resting under his chin. I feel his heart through our chests as it beats hard.
“You’re my secret weapon. Heart like roses. Mind like steel,” he whispers. With one last peck on the top of my head, he says, “I love you. When you’re ready, you come find me. I don’t know how to drag this out of you, but I’m here. And I will protect you.”
But I can’t protect them if I talk…
Aiden snaps his intense gaze over to me, as if offended that I have been holding a secret from him.
The real reason I keep it all inside is fear. A stroke of terror at the shame that would fill my father’s eyes once he realizes how tainted I am. How Reggie stole his little girl’s purity. Ruined me. And my future chances for pure love. I can’t disappoint him in that way.
If there’s one thing Representative Blackwell taught me, it was silence.
I’ve been conditioned to choke on the truth rather than let it escape.
“There’s nothing to…” I let the words trail off. It’s obvious neither believes that.
My brother drops his voice to a growl and glances between my father and me. “President Harvey made me turn over the footage from Tuesday night… Stated no one was to watch it and I was to say that it was corrupted.”
I swallow roughly. “Did anyone see?”
He snorts. “Henry, Bo, and Duke were busy with…something else and got distracted. By the time I became aware, one of the enforcers watched my every move. I only caught a glimpse of what was on it.” His blue eyes widen as we wait for him to tell us.
“A masked man scoping out the doors was all I saw.”
“Were you able to get a backup made?” Dad asks through gritted teeth.
Aiden shakes his head with a bit of shame. “No. And to recover some footage like that after the enforcer destroyed the recordings and the cameras... I just don’t see us getting anything back.”
Dad’s chest expands with a deep inhale. “So we don’t know if he’s telling the truth or…”
“Covering something up,” Aiden finishes. But the three of us can guess which answer is the truth. A moment of tense silence passes between the three of us.
Raking his fingers through his black hair, Aiden gives me a soft look. One he only reserves for Mom, usually. “Do you want me to walk you back to the house?”
“No. I’m good. I’m sad. And I feel, well, confused about Hunter. But I’ll be fine. I’ll make the press conference tomorrow and go to the vigil on Sunday.”
An irritating darkness overwhelms me. One threatening to take over. The person I was when I poisoned Lakin’s brownies never fully left. She was ruthless. Calculated. A strategist who punished injustice with a glittering smile. The one my father used to call his blade.
So tonight?
I’m taking my knife and wielding it close to me as I venture toward the cathedral…
To kill a murderer.