Page 131 of Deceit

“There are rumors of an attack that night– on the girl. It is believed they will harness enough power to not only harm the girl, but all of us, all at once.”

I remain unblinking as I stare at him. We’ve all grown up with the legends, the stories. Of how the Brethren was formed as a way of protection from the witches they didn’t catch, the ones who remained hidden and the descendants of the ones who were executed. I’m open minded to the idea of them and their descendants being capable of witchcraft of sorts, though I don’t think I believe in it as wholly as my brother or the other Elders.

My mind cannot fathom a group of people practicing black magic, just to continuously attack and torture a group of descendants from an event that occurred more than three-hundred-years-ago. Maybe I’m wrong, but maybe I’m not. Maybe this is one giant game of the trials yet again, with two sides of the same coin fighting against one another for centuries. It’s no longer hunting witches down, and hanging them fromthe gallows. Now it’s forcing their businesses to collapse, their inheritance ruined and a handful of them thrown in jail or ‘mysteriously’ disappearing.

The same could be said for them, I suppose. We have lost many members over the years, even members of several Elder families. I suppose my brother has some merit for being overly cautious. The hate is very clear on both sides. I just wonder, if either truly knows what they’re fighting over in this day and age.

Regardless of my skepticism, the idea of an attack on Skyla turns my stomach. Though only slightly more than the idea of her going through the archaic and revolting ceremony. With this new information in mind, I know there is no way to stop it. No way to save her, and I fucking hate myself for not being able to act sooner.

“Have you informed Asher of what the night will require of him?” I ask.

Christopher shakes his head.

“I can hardly stand the sight of that boy,” he sneers. “You will apprise him of his responsibilities. The girl as well, only what she needs to know.”

I nod solemnly as I receive a dismissive gesture from my brother. Happily standing up and getting the hell away from this house, I almost make it to the door before he calls out.

“I’m trusting you with this brother. Should either act out of turn, I will know who to blame,” he says, his threat clear, intent known.

Nodding my agreement, I step all the way through the doorway before I’m making my way to my car.

Fuck me.

I head straight to campus, feeling the need to rip the band aid off. Though I know it’s going to fucking suck. When I get to the Parris dorm, I find Asher in the hallway, sitting on the floor with his arms braced on his knees and his head against the wall. Hedoesn’t see me because his eyes are on the ceiling and I’m about to ask him what he’s doing, when understanding hits me.

“Liam!” Skyla practically screams out, followed by a loud smack and another moan.

Asher’s eyes shutter, closed so tightly it looks like he’s in pain. Poor fucking bastard. He’s so gone for her, and he won’t even admit it to himself. Not that I’m sure he’d even have a chance if he did. He’s treated her like shit and Skyla isn’t just going to forget of all that. In the same breath though, they’ve been getting along a lot better lately, spending more time together. Maybe he would have a chance.

It would be a little odd for me to be sharing my girlfriend with my nephew…I just want to see her happy though, him too. What kind of man does that make me, that I’m fine with sharing her with the whole fucking school if that’s what she needs? As long as she won’t stop loving me. A lucky one I’d say, because I still hold her heart and she holds mine.

“Hey,” I say, as I come to stand in front of Asher.

His eyes pop open as he looks at me, standing up to his feet.

“Hey.”

My head gestures to the door.

“Liam?”

“And Griggs,” he hmphs.

“Why aren’t you in there?” I test.

He scoffs like that’s a crazy idea before he scrambles a little, picking up a takeout bag.

“She was hungry, and delivery was gonna take too long, so I ran out for a bit.”

“That was nice of you,” I say.

Asher shrugs. “Except when I got back they were all…busy.”

I nod my understanding, staying quiet for a few moments.

“How was the carnival?”

He huffs out a short laugh and shakes his head.

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