Page 65 of All Saints: Pledge

“This ought to really fuck with his head,” Teague murmurs in my ear before turning and tugging on me so that we’re walking hand in hand right in front of Kendall, up the steps and through the front door.

29

Teague parades me through the front doors and down a hallway to the left, just under the enormous staircase in the foyer. It’s like I’ve left my brain in a pile on the drive. I can’t do anything but tag along after Teague like some Equestrian Barbie on a string.

Windows rattle as the front door slams, and knowimmediatelywho is stomping up behind us.

Acting as if he can’t hear the approaching storm, Teague knocks once on a wooden door before opening it. Without waiting for an answer, he opens it and I’m pushed—not unkindly—into the startled presence of Clara. She’s mid-downward dog. I note dispassionately that her butt really looks amazing from all of this yoga.

“Helena!” She flops down and twists around. Her eyes widen as they fall on Teague’s linked hand in mine. “And…”

“This has been absolutely fun,” Teague says, with a nod to me. He unlinks our hands and turns to Clara. “Teague. Really wish I could stay.” I note his eyes stray to Clara’s tight yoga pants and cropped top. “Had I known yoga would be this fun… alas. Duty calls.”

He tips an imaginary hat to us as Kendall’s voice bellows, “Teague!” in the hallway.

Teague slips out of the door and pulls it mostly shut behind him as rapid footfalls approach. “Manners, my good man. Yelling isn’t All Saints conduct,” he says in a dry tone.

Clara’s eyes dart from me to the door, and I move away from it.

“What the fuck is going on?” She asks, clearly at a loss.

“Honestly? I have no idea. Teague and I were practicing—singing. For choir.” I explain at her confused look.

“On your…tour of the grounds?”

“Okay, back up. Yes, I went on a tour, but then I ran into Augustine, and it was really weird and uncomfortable, but then Teague saved me and to complete our excuse?—”

We pause as outside the door, voices rise in anger again. We can’t properly eavesdrop from where we’re at, so both of us creep closer to the cracked door.

“—absolutely out of bounds, and you know it!” Kendall says. He thinks he’s being quiet, but he’s not. “This is just another stunt, like you hanging out with that Beatrice girl all term. You know it’s not allowed! I don’t have to keep quiet, you know. There could be repercussions.”

“What do you Americans say? Chill, man,” replies Teague. “Helena was having trouble walking on the pavement. I was just making sure she made it back into the house?—”

“You werenot. You were fucking with me on purpose. Leave her alone. Leave her and Clara alone.”

Cue the pissing circles around anything he thinks of as his. Which includes me now, and apparently still Clara. I roll my eyes.

Clara flashes me a questioning look. “What are they talking about?” She mouths.

I’m about to explain, but Teague’s next words stop me in my tracks.

“Ah, Kendall, mate. You know I’ll have to touch them, eventually. Training, and all that.”

Now it’s my turn to toss Clara a WTF look.

“You. Will. Not.” Kendall growls the words, now not even seeming to care what level his voice reaches. “My father?—”

“Your father may not always be in charge, and then where will you be?” Teague replies, ever calm, cool and collected. There’s silence. “Ah, yes, you think I don’t know, but I know. I know enough to guess the rest, even why you’re really interested in?—”

There’s a scuffling noise, and a grunt. “Keep your mouth shut, and your hands to yourself,” Kendall says. He’s slightly out of breath and I guess he’s pushed Teague up against the wall.

Teague laughs roughly, and the wall shakes slightly. “I look forward to your efforts in stopping me,” he taunts. “My life has been far too dull for my taste.”

We hear footsteps departing. A moment later, there are more footsteps going the opposite way.

“What—who—wasthat?” Clara asks once we’re sure we’re alone.

“Kendall’s roommate, Teague,” I say with a shrug. “Apparently, they don’t like each other much.”

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