Page 63 of A Dead Man's B-Side
A quiet intake of breath sounded from Marigold, like she was on the verge of speaking before thinking better of it and silencing herself.
Paris, sitting next to me again, mumbled quietly, only loud enough that I could hear, “Talk.”
“Anybody?”
When the silence continued, he waved a hand. “Maybe I’ll leave that for another time.”
Thaddeus took another inhale of his cigar, leaning back and looking between us, his face taking on a questioning stare. “Cold night, isn’t it?”
Again, no one said a word.
Except, I didn’t understand what his goal was.
He was like an unprepared teacher grappling with strings ofquestions and answers to form their lesson of the day.
“Sir,” August spoke up. “Last meeting, you told us to draft up a list of questions we had for you?”
Remembrance filled Thaddeus’s eyes, but he seemed to deny it for the fun of it. “I don’t recall.”
I’d completely forgotten to draft up my own list, but I was sure I would ask if my lacking knowledge demanded it.
August’s face scrunched up, as though preparing for a verbal spar. “Well, you did.”
I hiked up my brows at his tone as my eyes slid to Thaddeus to gauge his reaction. But instead, he smirked. “Alright, I’ll bite. What questions do you all have for me?”
Despite her initial silence, Paris seemed to be the most eager, beating August before he could utter a sound. “Do we take control of the assets of the retiring board member that appointed us?”
“Yes.”
It was a simple and short word, and yet it resonated louder than the most heartfelt of poems.
August didn’t let the answer phase him, pushing on, question after question. “Who appointed us?”
“That, I cannot disclose. For personal reasons.”
“Because of whom you appointed?”
“Partially. It might cause a… feeling of conflict of interest, for one.”
“Why… us?”
I knew he wanted to ask, ‘why me’, because at least a number ofus were thinking it.
“You’ll have to discover that on your own. Find your strengths, understand them. You’ll then understand why the board deemed you worthy enough for the Founder’s Society.”
Thaddeus was answering but also, not, and August seemed to be getting frustrated. Myself included.
“What privileges does Castle Hill offer us as members of the society?”
Thaddeus let out an amused huff of air. “For now, as you can see, you are free within Castle Hill to roam at all hours without questioning. All staff members are given specific instructions by the board to treat you all like kings and queens.”
“Even professors?” Ajax asked.
“Even professors. However, do not assume this implies perfect grades for mediocre work. I only mean that professors turn the other cheek if you happen to miss a class or two for… your extracurricular activity. They will allow you a wider berth than they would other students. Reprimands that align with the academy’s policies will not apply to you, but I trust you won’t be going around and picking fights for the hell of it. I trust that you will use this privilege responsibly.”
“Board members aren’t worried about giving their entire life’s work, or rather, their entire bloodline’s work to people they aren’t related to?”
Thaddeus slanted a look at Rain’s clear insinuation but didn’t comment on it, only answering her question as he continued to do, “The board understands what must be done to ensure its survival.”
