Page 65 of A Dead Man's B-Side
“I will see you all next week. I hope you keep my words at the forefront of your minds.”
As the others stood to leave, Thaddeus spoke again, this time, finally, to me, “Alexandr, a word.”
His voice was deep and seemed to penetrate through my skin and into my increasing heart rate.
Wolf, like I had done not long ago, looked back with furrowed brows and curious eyes.
August walked behind him and, thankfully, pulled his attention away as they both stepped out.
When the room emptied, Thaddeus felt it appropriate to speak freely, “Your vial?”
I stood from my seat and pulled it out of my pocket, moving closer to place it into his awaiting hand. I didn’t dare let anything show on the outside, ignoring the way the pregnant silence was making me feel. The way I was standing in front of him made me feel like a soldier reporting to his general.
I stepped back and glanced at the exit. “Is that all?”
I knew it wasn’t, but he took a while to voice the words he wanted to say in private, “You were not a first choice.”
His words weren’t as hurtful as anything I had heard before, but for some reason, they hurt anyway. I hadn’t belonged anywhere all my life. I preferred it that way.
But I was beginning to enjoy Castle Hill. I felt it was the perfect place for someone like me. Secluded, providing of all my needs, and filled with people I didn’t share a lick of similarities with.
His words felt as if he was implying I pack up my singular bag and hitchhike back to the airport. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Thaddeus Saltford-Windsor was a powerful man, of that I was aware, but watching his power used on me made me feel like the helpless fourteen-year-old I once was.
He let out a deep breath. “Exactly what I said. You were not who… the board was hoping to find. Who they were hoping to be the seventh Society member.”
I slid my hands into my trouser pockets, pressing my thumbnail into my pointer finger. “So, who was?”
He regarded me coolly. “That is of no concern to you,” he said, flicking off imaginary lint from his pristine suit jacket. “What is, however, is that you hold yourself to a higher standard than the rest of your peers.”
I had already planned on doing so, but his words made me want to do the exact opposite. “And why would I do that?”
“Are you in need of an incentive?”
I knew what he was implying. But threatening me wouldn’t work, and we both knew he would have to kill me to replace me,which would be a hassle on his part.
But I digress. “No, sir. I’m not.” The topic of the book chosen just for me before the very first meeting was at the very tip of my tongue, but a drop of doubt inside me held me back. Caution of what I might be revealing by asking.
Thaddeus watched me with a simple smile; arms sat lazily on their respective armrests. “I think that concludes this short meeting, thank you for your time, Alexandr. I hope my words have been just the kind of motivation you needed.”
Despite the power he held over me, he remained ruthlessly diplomatic.
I always had an unhealthy habit of admiring those that threatened me.
A force pulled my eyes to the shiny watch resting along his wrist, for only a second before I met his gaze again, my eyes blinking like a child caught coloring on the walls. Thaddeus’ gaze narrowed at the moment, but I was already turning away, walking at a practiced pace.
Stepping out of the library shouldn’t have been easy with the supposed weight of Thaddeus’ words, but somehow, it was. It was simple, really. One step after another. I was well aware of what had to be done, and if I didn’t follow through, there would only be my poor calculations to blame. The point of anxiety wouldn’t be worth it.
Either I succeeded or I didn’t. Both fates, only I had a hand in controlling.
Stepping out into the cool night air, a figure moved from the corner of my eye, turning into Abbot House. It was too dark to tell who it was, but I knew the seven of us were the only ones outside or at least allowed to be out of our dorms at this hour. Without much thought into it, I followed, moving across the square connecting all the other buildings together. I didn’t bother walking around the lawn, cutting straight across the grass. When I reached Abbot House, a feeling of familiarity overcame me. I remembered vaguely the same path I’d taken a couple weeks ago. At the very top of Abbot House, as I creeped up the dark steps, was the student body president's office.
Why would Rain return to her office at such a late hour?
Perhaps it wasn’t my business, but I had stayed behind to talk to Thaddeus, and she’d only just walked over to Abbot House when I finished. It would be a shame if Ididn’tseize the opportunity to follow her.
I could hear muffled voices, getting clearer as I reached the platform of the spire. The only light illuminating my vision and allowing me to use it as a beacon was coming through the crack of the open office door.
