Page 86 of Switching Graves

I wait a moment with my hand wrapped around her chin to ensure she won’t fight me, then move to spread her legs and make room for myself. The fog in the mirror has disappeared, lending me a full view of her ruffled body, committing the image to memory.

The nightgown sits in a ball across her abs, her tits fully popping out the top. As I slip inside and our bodies combine, we each release a sigh of relief.

This.

This is the only thing that feels right in the world to me.

The only thing that’severfelt right.

And no matter how much I rack my brain on how to keep it, I haven’t found a solution. There is no reality where I find closure for my brother’s death and still get to be with the woman who makes me feel whole.

Even if she isn’t Penelope. Even if she isn’t Divina’s daughter. She’s tied to them in some intimate way, and therefore deserves to pay for their sins, just as they do.

For now, I’ll enjoy this slice of heaven.

43

Raze

The council of the Midnight Syndicate has called a private meeting with me this evening. It’s unusual for them to communicate outside of vague texts from burner phones or messages sent through other members. That’s why the sticky note sitting on my desk this morning, scribbled down in rushed handwriting, has taken me by surprise.

I had planned to spend the night tracking the newest victim they’ve assigned me, but there’s no room for argument when the council sends out a summons. I have no choice but to go.

When I make it to the assembly hall, all six members are seated and waiting. They direct me to stand before them at their raised altar. With confident steps, I obey the order, crossing my arms behind my back to give the illusion of submission.

Ashton Payne wastes no time confronting me. “We’ve received confirmation that you put your hands on the legacy of a Ravenshurst University board member.”

I tip my chin. “He put one of my students in danger. A Syndicate member’s daughter.”

“Then you should have elevated that information to us,” Mayor Stanson chastises impatiently, as if this whole ordeal is an annoying inconvenience he would rather not deal with. I make a mental note to exploit that if I need to.

“Understood,” is all I say.

Arguing will only prolong my suffering. They’ve already decided among themselves if I’ll be punished. This meeting is a formality.

“Ezra Ashbluff is calling for your execution. He claims his son has sustained irreparable damage to his arm that will impact his future,” Terry Florwyn explains in a lifeless tone.

“I hardly touched his arm. I’m sure a Viridian could repair him in no time.” It’s a bit of a challenge. One that is met with Terry’s pinched brows.

“What did the boy do?” Harold Mirasen questions with a matching scowl.

I hesitate. This feels like something Ellery should explain on her own, if she wishes. I’d rather respect her privacy. Although, with my life on the line, I have no choice but to respond.

“He placed a drug in my student’s drink and brought her back to my office, where he attempted to . . . take advantage of her.”

James asks, “How do you know this?”

Terry twirls her pen in the air, as if trying to recall a memory. “Wasn’t this boy working under you?”

I calmly address them both. “She told me. And yes, he was my assistant until I terminated him.”

“Who was the girl?” Angelica Sunspire calls out, addressing the last thing I want them to know.

I’m not entirely sure that the woman attending Ravenshurst as Penelope Ellery is who she says she is. If the council catches wind that they’ve been deceived, they’ll send me to kill herbefore I ever find the answers I want. Especially if they drag that snake Divina into this mess.

When I hesitate, James asks again, this time more angrily.

Again, I’ve been backed into a corner. With no other option but to comply, I tell them the truth. “Penelope Ellery.”

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