Page 52 of A Dead Man's B-Side
“What about…myblood?”
Thaddeus brushed it off with a lift of his hand. “Quite frankly, I don’t care whose blood you decide to show up here with at our next bloody appointment, pun not intended, only that it isn’t each other’s.”
Not everything.
Wolf sent me a questioning look, considering he’d just stated as much, but he didn’t understand the emphasis I’d placed, quickly assuming I thought myself special.
But I only waved him off with a shake of my head. I already found my way out, and he should be worrying about himself.
Suddenly, his task didn’t seem so hard.
There were loopholes that perhaps only I was aware of, that only I could benefit from.
Thaddeus spoke again, “This isn’t a simple ask. You do this, or the board, with all the knowledge you now hold, really willdisposeof you. And although you’ve been placed under my guidance, I would have no control in convincing them otherwise. It would be a shame considering you’ve all begun to grow on me.”
I doubted it but didn’t say as much.
He clapped his hands with finality when no one uttered a word afterwards. “Alright, that seems to conclude today’s meeting. You’ll be sent the details of your weekly dinners after our next appointment two weeks from now. I suggest you all write up those questions you’ve been dying to ask.”
August didn’t look like he wanted to do such a thing anymore, rubbing his left leg at the reminder.
When no one moved, he waved his hands at us. “Come on, hurry along. I have places to be, and you all are keeping me from them.”
Rain Atlas Jett stood first, and I knew she’d much prefer ushering us out like the leader she wishes to prove she was, though she didn’t have to. One by one, we shuffled out until Thaddeus called out to Wolf. Collectively, we all turned like he’d called on us as well.
Thaddeus raised his brow and smirked. “Look at that, already protective of each other. I see you’ve decided to take a step in the right direction.”
The mere idea was laughable at best, as he seemed to mistake our nosiness for loyalty.
Embarrassed at the insinuation, Ajax grumbled and walked out, Marigold close behind him, the rest of us following.
Upon our exit, when everyone disappeared past aisles and out of the library, likely back to the comfort of their dorms, Paris paused at the single chair situated in the corner.
Curious, I followed after her, looking over her shoulder atthe empty chair. I furrowed my brows.
The book was gone.
“Strange, isn’t it?”
I focused on the back of her head, wondering how she’d known it was me standing behind her. Or she didn’t, careless of who she was speaking to, “What is?”
She turned to face me, her arms crossing over her chest. “This entire thing.” She waved her hand at the space between us with a conflicted stare. Not at all similar to the smirking eyes she wore in the parlour.
I tilted my head and regarded her with a blank look.
We all had our reasons to refuse Thaddeus’ offer of a way out. Paris was, from what I’d gathered, ambitious and quick-witted. I wouldn’t deny her the flattery because it would be dangerous not to.
I was well aware of her flare of anger at Ajax’s earlier words. Though, I wouldn’t blame her for the slight pain in my leg. It was his thin-skinned-nature that would one day get him into trouble he wouldn’t be able to get out of.
Everyone revealed a little more about themselves today, however unintentional, and among them all, Paris seemed the most likely to survive to the end of the year.
Wolf was too kind.
Rain was overly diplomatic; anyone could see from a mile away that she was constantly plotting. It made her distrustful upon introduction.
Ajax held resentment, for whatever reason, which in turn madehim angry at even the smallest of things.
August might hold on well enough on his own if he’d only learn to hold his cards and words close when times required it.
