Page 95 of A Dead Man's B-Side
“We silence them.”
He smiled. “Precisely. Walk me through how you’d go about that.”
And so I did, speaking without consideration or plan, the words spilling from my mouth as if memorized and rehearsed, “I’d go after Scott. If he’s reckless, he’s bound to make mistakes, spill mistakes. If he can offer something of usefulness about his family, their wealth, they’ll be forced to focus on repairing their reputation rather thanrepairingthe structure of Castle Hill.”
He tilted his head and turned to watch me with chilling indifference. “And does it need repairing? Castle Hill?”
I shook my head, knowing what he’d wanted from me. “No, sir.”
He nodded to Marigold. “And you, Marigold? How would you do it?”
Marigold took ages to speak, though I could tell it wasn’t to form an idea. She was simply timid. “Well, if the Kensingtons no longer had… children in Castle Hill, they wouldn’t be able to have a word of opinion on its governing body. There are methods of coercion in having them drop from the academy.”
I turned my head with wide eyes and parted lips to Rain sitting next to me, and she met mine with aI told you solook.
I believed she had a sinister mind, not out of fallacy, but because I’d seen it for myself. But Rain was correct in seeing straight through Marigold’s mask far before anyone else. She may stumble over her words, shuffling slowly when she got uncomfortable, but her mind was sharp and very much alert.
August chuckled nervously, fidgeting before fanning the sweater he was wearing. “Sorry, is it hot in here or is it just me?… Just me?… Right.”
He continued to nod to himself for the next thirty seconds before I gave up counting and returned my gaze to Thaddeus.
Malevolence danced in his eyes. “Well, I’ve given you all a small push in the right direction. You have until your break.” He stood and threw on his coat, as quickly as he’d arrived, he was leaving. “I always had a knack for the dramatics, but I shall give you all creative liberty if you prefer something swift and quiet.”
With those parting words, he sealed our fate for the next two months.
Marigold didn’t speak again that night.
Chapter Fifteen
Alexandr Miroslav
1982
I didn’t return to my dorm when we’d all awkwardly shuffled out of the library, staying true to my promise and storming through the grounds until I reached the teacher’s quarters. It was the same size as the students’ building but closer to the campus. Right behind it on the opposite end, in fact.
I walked in and didn’t take long to find Cassius Vale’s living chambers on the first floor. His name was writtenMr C. Browneon the plaque in perfect cursive next to his door.
I suppose he didn’t bother changing his first name when he assumed the new identity.
God, I was going to smash his face in. I was going to steal everything I could and shove those books he loved so much down his throat until he got fatal papercuts.
I went to knock when footsteps from around the corner sounded, dull at first before getting sharper. They were approaching.
I looked around quickly before finding my best bet and ducking under one of the alcoves. If they turned down this hall and walked past Cassius’ room, I’d surely be caught.
Listening intently, they did, in fact, turn down this hall. With each step closer to me I pressed myself harder and harder against the wall, as if that would change anything, looking to the window.
The latch looked old and rusted, and I couldn’t imagine myself prying it open without it making a sound similar to nails on a chalkboard, grating the ears of anyone who’d heard it.
I hadn’t realized how hard my heart was beating until I felt it in my ears, pounding in my head like a sledgehammer, momentarily impairing my ability to hear.
As if an answer to my uncalled prayer, the footsteps stopped, and a knock sounded right. Next. To. Me.
If I so much as breathed, I was sure they’d hear me.
The door opened, and I was glad I didn’t gasp at the voices.
“Ah, look who decided to join us, Bow. Here on business?” Cassius’ voice dripped with amusement when a second voice joined him from inside his room, “Look what theWindblew in, the man of the hour.”
