Chapter 38
Covenant House was quiet when I returned early that evening, just half an hour before we were due at Remnant Woods. I found them in the common room, Cadence nestled between Cole and Ryder on the large sectional, some movie playing that none of them were really watching. They looked up as I entered.
"Logan," Cole acknowledged, straightening slightly. "Everything okay? We were waiting for you for dinner." I ignored him, focusing on Cadence. She wore one of Ryder's oversized sweaters, her purple hair piled messily atop her head, looking so fucking innocent it made my blood boil.
"Get your coat," I said, my voice flat and cold. "All of you. We're needed elsewhere." Cadence's eyes widened slightly.
"What? Where are we-"
"Not a request," I cut her off. "Now." Ryder rose to his feet, positioning himself slightly in front of Cadence.
"What the fuck is going on, Logan? You can't just storm in here and start barking orders without-"
"Headmaster Williams has called a meeting," I interrupted, the lie sliding easily from my lips. "Covenant business. Urgent." Cole's eyes narrowed, studying me with that penetrating gaze that always made me feel exposed.
"Why didn't he contact all of us?"
"He did," I lied again. "Check your phones." Ryder and Cole exchanged glances, a silent communication that excluded me entirely. My jaw clenched.
"It's fine, I guess we were distracted," Cadence said quietly, standing. "I'll get my coat."
As she passed me, she smiled at me, and for a heartbeat, doubt flickered through me.
Was this the right thing? Could there be another story?
Then I remembered the way she'd melted into Damien's embrace, the passionate kiss while his hands wrapped around her throat, the same throat she'd claimed he'd violently attacked, and my resolve hardened once more.
"What's really going on?" Cole asked in a low voice once Cadence was out of earshot. I met his gaze unflinchingly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"If this is about your father-" Ryder began.
"It's not," I snapped. "Just get your fucking coats and follow me.
For once in your life, Ryder, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be.
" Something in my tone must have conveyed the gravity of the situation, because neither of them argued further.
They moved to collect their jackets, exchanging concerned glances that sent another spike of resentment through me.
Cadence returned, wrapped in the burgundy coat Ryder had bought her last week, her face pale but composed.
"I'm ready."
"My car," I said, already turning toward the door. "Let's go."
The drive to Remnant Woods was excruciating.
Cadence sat beside me in the passenger seat, her body angled away, staring out the window at the darkness rushing past. In the back, Cole and Ryder maintained a tense silence, clearly sensing that something was deeply wrong.
I could feel Cadence's fear growing with each mile, her breathing becoming more shallow, her hands twisting in her lap.
Part of me, the part that had held her while she cried, that had whispered promises of protection in the dark, wanted to reach out, to reassure her.
But the image of her with Damien poisoned any tenderness before it could form.
"Logan," she finally whispered, as the woods came into view, "why are we here?
" I could tell the fear seeping into her voice.
The last time we had been here was when we claimed her.
It was only fitting that this was the location of her punishment for betraying us.
I kept my eyes on the road as I responded.
"You’ll find out." Her sharp intake of breath was the only response.
The parking area was already filled with cars, other Regents, witnesses, perhaps even members of the Trivium itself. I pulled in beside a black SUV I recognised as belonging to Harrison, one of the Archive Regents, and wondered if it was him who had found the video.
"What the fuck?" Ryder muttered, leaning forward to peer through the windshield at the gathered vehicles. "Logan, what is this?" I killed the engine and turned to face them, my expression carved from stone.
"Cadence has been accused of breaching her contract. Specifically, Section 12, paragraph 4." Cole's face drained of colour.
"The fidelity clause?"
"That's bullshit," Ryder spat immediately. "Who's making these accusations?"
"Evidence was brought to Williams this morning," I said, watching Cadence's face carefully. "Security footage. Of you and Damien. Three days ago." Her eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across her features.
"What? No, that's not-"
"Don't," I cut her off, my voice like ice. "I saw it myself. His hands were around your throat while you kissed him. The same throat you claimed he bruised when he 'attacked' you."
"Kissed him? No. Logan, that's not what happened," she pleaded, reaching for my arm. I jerked away from her touch. "He did attack me! I told you the truth!"
"The footage says otherwise," I replied coldly. "And now, according to contract law, you face the Second Offence Punishment Protocol." Ryder swore violently, slamming his fist against the back of my seat.
"This is fucking insane! You can't seriously believe-"
"I saw it," I repeated, my voice rising. "With my own eyes, Ryder. She's been playing us all along." Cole remained silent, his expression unreadable as he studied Cadence's panicked face.
"Please," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Logan, you have to believe me. I would never-"
"Save it," I interrupted, unable to bear her performance any longer.
"Williams has made his decision. The Trivium supports it.
We either comply, or they handle it themselves.
" I turned to Ryder and Cole, my voice hardening.
"And if they step in, we lose everything, our standing, our protection, Covenant House itself.
" Understanding dawned in Cole's eyes, followed by a grim resignation.
He knew the stakes as well as I did. Ryder looked between us, conflict raging across his features.
"I wanna see this video. We need to investigate," he insisted.
"The investigation has been completed," I said flatly. "It's happening tonight. Now. They're waiting for us."
Cadence's breathing had accelerated to near-hyperventilation, her eyes wild with fear.
"What’s the second offence punishment?" she whispered.
She turned to Cole and Ryder, “Please, someone tell me.” The sight of her tears, once so affecting, now only fuelled my anger.
How many times had she manipulated us with those same tearful eyes?
"You are about to find out. Get out of the car," I ordered, opening my own door. "All of you."
The night air was bitterly cold, not completely unusual for this time of the year, but still felt like an ominous warning.
Through the trees, I could see the glow of torches marking the clearing where the punishment would take place.
Tradition demanded it be conducted in the open air, under stars and shadows.
Cadence stumbled as she exited the car, her legs seemingly unable to support her.
Cole caught her arm, steadying her, his expression torn between concern for her and loyalty to the system we all served.
"I can't do this," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, Cole, Ryder, you have to believe me. I never betrayed you. I would never-"
"Move," I commanded, taking her other arm and pulling her forward. She resisted, digging in her heels.
"Logan, listen to me," she pleaded. "It’s a lie, I swear, he attacked me.
" She turned to Ryder, “Luce, she saw it, please ask Luce.” For a heartbeat, doubt flickered through me again.
The desperation in her voice sounded genuine, her terror palpable.
But then I remembered Julia's smug face, Williams' grave certainty, the clear evidence of the video.
"Walk," I said, "or I'll carry you."
Ryder moved to intervene, but Cole placed a restraining hand on his shoulder, murmuring something I couldn't hear.
Whatever he said made Ryder back down, though the fury in his eyes promised this wasn't over.
Together, the four of us made our way through the trees toward the waiting ceremony.
With each step, I felt the weight of what was to come pressing down upon me.
Second Offence Punishment Protocol was brutal, designed to break the spirit as much as humble the body.
She would be left with a clear reminder of what happened when you betrayed the Trivium for the rest of her life.
Part of me recoiled from the thought of Cadence enduring it.
But a larger part, the part still burning with betrayal, whispered that she deserved everything coming to her.
The clearing opened before us, a perfect circle of ancient oaks surrounding an erected wooden platform at the centre.
Torches burned at regular intervals, casting long shadows that danced like demons across the gathered faces.
Williams stood at the stairs, flanked by representatives from each house, Syndicate, Archive, and the others.
Julia stood among the Courts girls, her expression one of barely contained triumph.
I could see Melody standing there, a pale expression on her face, with tears on her cheeks.
Hooded figures lined the perimeter, housemen from each house, here to witness justice being served.
As we entered the clearing, a hush fell over the assembly.
All eyes turned to Cadence, who had gone deathly pale, her body trembling violently between Cole and me.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice Ryder moving to one of the hooded figures.
He whispered something urgently before the figure stepped back into the darkness.
I caught Ryder’s eye as he returned to us, but all he did was glare back at me.
Williams stepped forward, his academic attire replaced by the ceremonial garb of the Trivium's Inner Circle; even if he wasn’t an Inner Circle member, he was acting as one when they couldn’t be present.
"Cadence Turner," he intoned, his voice carrying across the silent clearing. "You have been brought before this assembly to answer for your betrayal of the sacred covenant between Consort and Regent." Cadence's knees buckled. Only our grip on her arms kept her upright.
"Evidence has been presented and found compelling," Williams continued. "You stand accused of violating Section 12, paragraph 4 of your contract, engaging in intimate relations with one not bound to you by Consort rights."
"No," she whispered, the sound barely audible. "Please, no."
"The punishment for such betrayal," Williams declared, "is the Second Offence Punishment Protocol. Do the Regents of Covenant House acknowledge and accept this judgement?"
This was it. The moment of commitment. Once we agreed, there would be no turning back, no mercy, no reprieve until the punishment was complete.
I looked at Cadence, her tear-streaked face, her pleading eyes, the purple hair I'd run my fingers through in that one tender moment, and felt my heart twist painfully in my chest. Was I making a terrible mistake?
But then the image of her in Damien's arms flashed before me again, and my resolve hardened.
She had made her choice. Now she would face the consequences.
"Covenant House acknowledges the judgement," I stated, my voice carrying across the clearing. "And accepts the Second Offence Punishment Protocol as just and necessary."
“Wait-” Ryder called, but Williams held up his hand.
“One Regent speaks for the House, and that word has been spoken.”
“But we should wait-” Ryder urged again, the anguish in his voice hit me like a sucker punch in the gut.
“Be quiet, Mr Purcell, or you will be found in contempt against the Trivium,” Williams called out. Then he turned to Cadence. “Bring the accused.” Cadence's anguished cry pierced the night, a sound of such raw despair that several of the witnesses shifted uncomfortably.
"No!" she sobbed. "Logan, please! I'm innocent! I swear to you, I'm innocent!"
But it was too late. Williams nodded solemnly, and two hooded figures stepped forward to take Cadence from our grip.
"The Second Offence Punishment Protocol will now commence," Williams announced.
"May it cleanse the stain of betrayal and restore the balance of power.
" As they dragged Cadence toward the wooden platform, her screams echoing through the ancient trees, I forced myself to watch, to bear witness to what my judgement had wrought.
This was justice, I told myself. This was necessary.
So why did it feel like I was tearing out my own heart?