Page 294 of Knox Academy Omnibus
Looking down at my phone, I sigh. I knew it was only a matter of time before we were all summoned to dinner with Monty and Laura, the message from Monty giving me a heads up that Laura will be reaching out to me shortly.
I expected it sooner but never mentioned it because honestly, I’d rather poke myself in the eye with a needle than spend time with that woman.
I’m still trying to figure out how I want to deal with her, and if it’s a gross misuse of my new-found status to use the resources The Order has at its disposal to bring about my vengeance. Possibly.
Am I going to do it anyway?
Probably.
Monty has also asked me to start compiling a list of potential female recruits. They’ve done their male recruits but now it’s up to me to organise the females, since I feel so strongly about it. I then have to initiate them…what the hell do I know aboutinitiation?! This feels like a test, but one they’re setting me up to fail.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Sawyer asks, taking a bite of his toast and coming to stand behind me. He’s shirtless which just about makes me forget what I was even thinking in the first place.
He looks over my shoulder at the notepad in front of me.
“That’s not a very long list,” he points out knowingly.
“I’m torn about Elsie. I mean, she isn’t from an Order family and I need to be able to talk freely around her, but do I really want to drag her into this?”
“Everyone gets a choice before they join. And Elsie comes from a very troubled background. Maybe being part of this would give her that sense of belonging. She really has no special skills, but I’m sure with some training we could at least use the power of seduction.”
I smack his arm. “She’s good at a lot of things,” I say hotly, quick to defend my friend.
“I’m sure she is, but I think you should let her choose. People aren’t stupid, they’ve heard rumours. And Elsie is smart.”
“You’re right as always,” I say, leaning my head back against his abs and looking up at him. “Have you considered going back to teaching? I’m more than happy to drop out of school.”
“Nice try. I’m more than busy enough trying to find a few more replacement board members. It makes it easier now that you have abolished the no women rule.”
He leans down and places a kiss on my forehead. “Don’t forget you have a self-defence lesson this afternoon.”
Bloody Jasper has been riding my ass with these lessons. He can’t be swayed with seduction, unlike Onyx or one of the others could be. I should be grateful that I’m actually making some progress with him, but I’m sick of every damn bone in my body hurting.
My phone buzzes from in front of me and Frost’s number comes up on the screen.
“What’s going on, Frost?”
“That girl you gave me to babysit. You need to put someone else on her. She’s a pain in the ass. She stole my car and has high tailed it. We were at the school ready for her brother’s interview and the headmaster made a comment which I didn’t hear, but she did, and she lost it. I need you to deal with it. This is above my pay grade.”
I sigh. I knew she was going to be trouble, but I didn’t expect her to kick off so soon.
“Do you know where she is?”
“Yeah, eating ice cream apparently. My car’s location is at St. James Street.”
“I know the one. Okay, get Jasper to pick you up, and I’ll get Sawyer to take me to her and sort this out.”
I hang up the phone and sigh. This isn’t what I had planned for my morning, I wanted to hunt down Baxter since he’s been avoiding me. He sent me through the information on the Raven girl, and I can see what he likes about her. I already know she’s going to give him a run for his money and keep him on his toes. I just hope she can see the good in him like I can. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dark side of him. But those reflections of good show his humanity.
Sawyer and I both get dressed. Because this is Order business, I have to reach for my new business wardrobe. It was a gift, courtesy of Elsie, when Monty had a quiet word in my ear about keeping up appearances. Whatever.
I wear a nice black bodysuit with long arms, paired with a pants suit and black Louboutins. Thanks to our crummy school uniform, I’ve actually begun to master heels, and I know Elsie searched really hard to find me a pair without too much of a killer heel.
I don’t have time to do much with my hair. I put it up into a ponytail and slick the front with some gel to hold the frizz in place, then add some cream to the ends to contain the unruly curls.
When my makeup is done, we both head out. Frost texts to confirm she’s still where he told me, and Sawyer and I head her way.
When we pull up, Sawyer blocks Frost’s car in so she can’t make an easy getaway.
