Page 63 of Shattered Saint
“Yeah, sorry.” My focus on Bianca had shifted to learning more about the secret society that still remained a mystery to me. “What’s up?”
"I'm going to be the chairman of the Chevaliers next semester," Nash continued. "We've been watching you, Easton. We know you have what it takes to join us."
My mouth went dry because I was stunned by his admission. The Chevaliers wanted me? After trying to compete with Nash since I’d gotten to Brentson, this was the one thing that eluded me. Because of his family, he’d been an automatic shoe-in, but I hadn’t been. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. But at what cost?
“The Chevaliers are about power and prestige," Nash said slowly. "Our members hold many powerful positions all over the world, and we have influence in too many places to count. If you join us, Easton, you'll have access to opportunities you've only dreamed of."
His words resonated with me. To be able to achieve something my father hadn’t been able to do would be monumental. But I was convinced there had to be a price to pay for that kind of power.
"Tell me more."
Nash went on to describe the Chevaliers vaguely. He hinted at the power and influence they wielded while revealing very little about the organization. I understood why. I wasn’t a member and wasn’t allowed to know more. His words were designed to stir my curiosity but didn’t satisfy me at all. I knew that was on purpose too, to make me want to join the group.
The information he was giving me was overwhelming, and each time I thought he was going to give me more, I realized he was doing nothing but causing me to think of more questions. I bit back the sigh I wanted to release as I raked a hand through my hair. Although I had time before I had to make my decision, everything suddenly felt heavy. I didn’t know which option I was going to choose, not to mention, I still had Bianca to think about.
I was positive now, more than ever, that Nash had no idea about Bianca and me, because he’d be driving over here right now to fight me instead of inviting me to recruitment for the secret society he would soon be leading. Maybe we were being more careful than I thought.
“Before I let you go, tell Bianca I said hello.”
Nash’s words had me frozen in my tracks. Just as I thought I’d gotten out of having to speak to him about Bianca, he’d dropped that bomb on me.
“Can’t you say that to her yourself? She’s your sister.” I spoke the words slowly and carefully, worried that this was when the explosive fight was going to occur. But it didn’t make any sense given the conversation we’d just had.
“I’m just fucking with you, dude. I know that you’ve been hanging out because of a project for a class.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my hands across my face. Couldn’t he have made a better segue into that in order to not cause me to nearly have a heart attack? “Yeah, it’s been going well, even with her hating my entire existence.”
“That’s Bianca for you.”
I didn’t disagree with him because I was more than ready to get off the phone. After we said our goodbyes and I hung up, I leaned back on my couch, and found myself staring up at the ceiling. My mind was still spinning from what I’d just experienced.
Part of me was thrilled at the opportunity to potentially join the Chevaliers, the chance to be in an exclusive brotherhood with Nash. Having access to knowledge and connections beyond the ordinary student's reach would, without a doubt, be beneficial. But I also was concerned about what I might be getting myself involved in.
I closed my eyes and took time to think this over. While I mostly trusted Nash's judgment, this wasn’t some small thing. If I joined the Chevaliers, there would be no going back, and I was willing to bet the only way out of the society was death.
But what should I do? That was the question of the hour.
The path ahead was dark, mysterious, and a tangled mess. I didn’t know what would be standing on the other side, but what I did know was that I had some tough decisions to make.
26
UNKNOWN
Istood in the distance, watching as Bianca walked across campus. She tried to disappear in the sea of people who were also trying to get to wherever they were going, but she failed. I debated sending her another text message, but I needed to wait. It was all a part of my plan, and I needed to be careful about when I contacted her.
I was intrigued because she maintained the mask of the mayor’s daughter, the façade that she’d perfected to showcase how perfect her life was even with everything falling apart. I’d only reached out to her a couple of times for now, because I didn’t want to raise too much suspicion. Keeping tabs on her was just the beginning of what I’d done.
I’d been watching her brother and his girlfriend too.
But for now, my focus was on her. Only her.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket to examine the text messages I’d sent her. She’d never bothered to send one back, and she’d done her due diligence by blocking every number she’d received a text from. Not that it mattered.
Your family seems so picture perfect, but how long can you keep your family’s secrets hidden?
I stuffed the phone back into my pocket and lifted the manilla envelope in my hand, it had some weight to it, and I debated with myself whether I was really going to do this.
That I was even questioning it was strange, but here we were. As I approached a USPS mailbox, I kept her in my sight until she walked into an academic building. I stuffed the envelope into the slot, and I knew what consequences it would unleash.
