Chapter 1 #2
“Perhaps,” Williams interjected, “we should discuss the other reason you are here. There are several matters requiring the attention of Covenant House.”
I latched onto the change of subject gratefully, forcing thoughts of Cadence to the back of my mind.
We had responsibilities beyond our maddening Consort, after all.
The Covenant House Regents were traditionally responsible for enforcing Trivium law among the student body, and sometimes further afield, dealing with those who stepped out of line or threatened to expose our world to outsiders.
Usually, I relished these assignments. They provided an outlet for darker, more violent impulses, a way to maintain order while satisfying the need for control that ran in my blood.
“There’s been an incident involving a former student,” Williams began, shuffling through some papers on his desk.
“Thomas Blackwood graduated three years ago. He’s currently working at his father’s firm and is positioned to take over next year.
” I nodded, recognising the name. The Blackwoods were old money, though not quite at the level of families like the Purcells.
I glanced over at Ryder, who was staring at his watch again.
“Unfortunately,” Killingham cut in, his cultured voice dripping with disdain, “young Mr Blackwood seems to have forgotten the standards expected of Trivium members. He was arrested last week for domestic violence against his girlfriend.”
“The charges were dropped,” Williams added quickly, “but the incident has drawn unwanted attention. The girl was hurt pretty badly, and it has drawn the attention of the media.” I leant forward slightly, interest piqued.
This was the kind of situation we were trained to handle, keeping our world hidden from the masses, maintaining order through whatever means necessary.
“The girlfriend?” I asked, already considering angles and approaches.
“Has been... handled,” Killingham replied smoothly.
“A generous settlement and an ironclad NDA have ensured her silence. However, Mr Blackwood’s behaviour cannot go unchecked.
The Trivium cannot afford to have members who lack.
.. self-control.” The irony of his words wasn’t lost on me, given our earlier discussion about control over our own Consort.
But this was different. This was business.
“You want us to pay him a visit,” I stated rather than asked. It wasn’t a question; this was what Covenant Regents did. We enforced the rules, maintained order, and delivered consequences when necessary.
“A reminder,” Killingham confirmed, “of the standards expected of Trivium members. And the consequences of drawing unwanted attention to our organisation.”
Beside me, Ryder had finally stopped fidgeting, his attention caught by the prospect of violence. Even Cole seemed more focused, his eyes sharp with interest.
“Any particular message you’d like us to deliver?” I asked, already planning the operation in my head. These visits required a delicate balance, enough force to ensure the lesson stuck, but not so much as to create another problem to clean up.
“Nothing permanent,” Williams cautioned, though we all knew that was standard protocol. “Just... memorable.”
Killingham moved from his position by the window, approaching the desk with measured steps.
“Mr Blackwood needs to understand that his position within the Trivium is a privilege, not a right. That privilege comes with responsibilities, including discretion and self-control.”
“When?” Cole spoke for the first time since we’d entered the office, his deep voice carrying that calm authority that made him so effective in these situations.
“Thursday night,” Killingham replied. “Mr Blackwood will be working late at his father’s office.
The building will be largely empty after hours.
The security cameras will experience a convenient malfunction between 9 PM and midnight.
” I nodded, appreciating the clean setup.
A late-night visit to remind a wayward member of his obligations, it was almost textbook.
“And gentlemen,” Killingham added, his tone carrying a sharp edge, “consider this an opportunity to... work out any frustrations you might be experiencing.” His knowing look made my jaw clench, but I couldn’t deny the appeal of his suggestion.
A little violence could be the outlet I needed to deal with all this pent-up frustration inside me.
“We’ll handle it,” I assured him, already looking forward to the outlet this assignment would provide. Beside me, Ryder’s leg had started bouncing again, but now it seemed more from anticipation than anxiety.
“Excellent,” Williams nodded, shuffling his papers again.
“The necessary details will be sent to your secure emails. And gentlemen?” We all looked at him expectantly.
“Do try to keep the property damage to a minimum this time. The cleanup from your last assignment was... expensive.” Ryder laughed as I smirked, remembering the state we’d left the last person who’d required our attention.
Sometimes enthusiasm got the better of us, but that’s why the Trivium maintained such excellent cleaning crews.
“Of course, Headmaster,” I replied smoothly, though we all knew it would depend entirely on how cooperative Mr Blackwood proved to be.
“Is that it?” Ryder asked. “Can we go?” Williams shot him a frustrated look but then waved his hand towards the door.
Ryder shot out of his chair as if it was on fire.
He barely managed a hasty nod to Killingham before bolting from the office, no doubt headed straight for the dining hall where Cadence would be having lunch.
His desperation to be near her, even when she was deliberately keeping her distance, was becoming concerning.
I started to rise as well, but Killingham’s voice stopped me.
“Mr Bale, a moment, please?” Cole hesitated by the door, his eyes meeting mine in silent question. I nodded slightly, indicating he should wait outside. As the door closed behind him,
I turned back to face Killingham, keeping my expression carefully neutral.
“Something else?” I asked, maintaining a tone of polite interest despite my growing irritation with the man. Killingham moved closer, his expensive cologne filling the space between us.
“I want to be very clear about something, Mr Bale. The stability of Covenant House is crucial to the Trivium’s interests.
Your... situation with your Consort is becoming a topic of discussion in circles where it shouldn’t be.
” My jaw clenched at his words. The fact that our private struggles with Cadence had become gossip fodder for the Trivium’s elite made my blood boil.
“Our house is stable,” I replied firmly. “And our Consort is perfectly behaved.”
“Is she?” Killingham’s lips curved in that knowing smirk that made me want to rearrange his face.
“Because from what I hear, she’s found quite an innovative way to.
.. resist your authority while maintaining technical compliance with your rules.
” I remained silent, unwilling to confirm or deny his assessment.
But my silence was apparently answer enough.
“She’s not from our world, Mr Bale,” he continued, his voice taking on a concerned tone that I didn’t believe for a second.
“She lacks the proper breeding, the understanding of our traditions and expectations. Her presence at Covenant House is... unusual. If you feel she isn’t the right fit for your house- “
“She’s exactly where she’s meant to be,” I interrupted, though his words echoed doubts I’d had myself.
We had too much riding on this year as Regents and maybe bringing Cadence in like this had been a big fucking mistake.
But it wasn’t something that I could let go of.
I knew my father was watching, not just my progress here, but also how I dealt with people who showed disrespect.
But it was looking like I would have to justify my reasoning.
“Her lack of legacy status doesn’t change her capability as a Consort,” I said quickly. Killingham exchanged a pointed look with Williams that set off warning bells in my head. There was something more here, something they weren’t telling me.
“Perhaps,” Killingham conceded, though his tone suggested he thought otherwise.
“Regardless, should you decide that the girl is too much to handle, then I am sure that Miss Latters is still willing to accept the role.” The mention of that whore made my fingers curl into fists at my sides.
Of fucking course, she was. Julia Latters had made it painfully obvious that she would do anything to get her feet in my house.
I had a feeling that she was running her own agenda as well.
I already knew that she had planned for her, Hannah and Megan to be in the Consort positions from the start.
“Was there anything else?” I asked, my patience wearing thin.
“No,” Killingham replied, waving his hand in dismissal.
“That will be all. Do remember what we discussed regarding Mr Blackwood. A clear message needs to be sent.” I nodded curtly and turned to leave, my mind already racing with the implications of our conversation.
Killingham’s particular interest in Cadence, the exchanged looks with Williams, the emphasis on her background, something wasn’t adding up.
Cole was waiting in the hallway as expected, his tall frame leaning against the wall with deceptive casualness. One look at my face and he straightened, falling into step beside me as we headed away from the headmaster’s office.
“What was that about?” he asked quietly once we were out of earshot.
“I’m not entirely sure,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “But Killingham’s too interested in our Consort for my liking. Something that Williams is well aware of too.”
“You think there’s something they’re not telling us?”
“I think there’s a lot they’re not telling us,” I replied. “And I intend to find out what it is.” Cole nodded, his expression thoughtful.
“Want me to do some digging?” I smiled slightly. Cole’s genius-level intelligence and Ryder’s computer skills had proven useful more than once when we needed information that wasn’t readily available.
“Yeah, get Ryder on it too,” I confirmed.
“Look into Killingham’s recent activities, especially anything connecting him to Regents University or Covenant House.
And...” I hesitated before adding, “see what you can find about Cadence’s mother.
Something about this whole situation feels connected to her somehow.
” I was all too aware of Cadence’s inquiries into her mother.
“I’ll get on it,” Cole agreed. I nodded.
“Also, I think we need to take a look at the contract again. See if we can’t take the control back from our little princess,” I said. “She is making us look like idiots, and everyone is watching.”
“Want me to take another look?” Cole asked, and I shook my head.
“No, you have a tutoring session with her next, right?” Cole nodded, although he didn’t look too happy about it. I looked down at my phone and saw that my next class was due in ten minutes. It wasn’t really important, or at least not as important as getting this shit sorted out.
“Okay, you distract our girl while I get Ryder, and we can sit down and go through the new amendments. I am sure there will be something we can work with. If there is, then Ryder will find it.” Ryder was the king when it came to legal speak, I swear while everyone else was learning their alphabet he was learning amendments and clauses.
“For now, let’s go make sure Ryder hasn’t completely lost his shit over lunch.
” As we headed toward the dining hall, my mind was already working on multiple tracks, planning for Blackwood, considering Killingham’s strange behaviour, but as always, everything came back to our stubborn, clever Consort.
One way or another, something had to give. And soon.