Page 174 of Demise

It’s a promise I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep, but I make it anyways, because how fucking perfect would it be if I could?

“I promise,” I say.

Her shoulders seem to lighten at that, a true smile spreading across her face.

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you more, princess.” My eyes move to Vincent. “Keep her safe.”

“Always.”

I pause on my words for a moment before I drop our eye contact.

“Uhm, keep yourself safe too. Don’t go dying again.”

Vincent lifts a single eyebrow, almost in amusement, if I thought the guy was ever capable of the emotion.

“Will do.”

Nodding to myself, I grab the bag I packed and head for my car, throwing it into the passenger seat before taking off for theuniversity. When I get there, I park as usual, slip on my robe as usual, and walk in as usual. What isn’t usual is the dagger I have strapped to my leg. The one that’s been specially selected for my father. Maybe I should be feeling regret or something akin to sadness, but I don’t. All I feel is anger, vengeance and a need to set things right. For everyone.

Because Lewis and Stroughton still technically aren’t inducted, they won’t be expected to be at the ceremony. And Vincent is considered dead to the Brethren, they definitely won’t be expecting him.

The plan is to have Wesley wait with them outside the tunnels until Vincent and Skyla arrive, which should be, if we timed it right, only minutes after me. We didn’t want us all to arrive at once, should anyone see and ask questions.

So, I move through the church, opening the secret door and making my way through the tunnels like everything is normal. Like it’s any other induction night. Except it isn’t.

I check in, smearing my bloodied fingerprint for the last time. Once I’m let through, I step into the room where the table is in the center of the room. Odd seeing as mine and Liam’s ceremony was an empty room. Maybe they don’t have something as…physical planned for Andrew.

I know tonight will be a struggle for him. I know he loves his father despite the shitty things he does. We can’t go forth like this any longer, though. The Brethren has to be completely gutted. It’s the only way to ensure old practices and old ideals don’t continue.

My father meets my eyes, and I give him a respectful nod as I take my place behind him. It’s the last goddamn time I’ll be giving him a respectful anything. I can guarantee that. Carefully, I assess all who are in attendance tonight.

Wesley told us that Christopher did not expect his attendance for these matters. I’m unsure why, though, seeing as all Eldersare required to attend despite whether or not they are the seat holder for the family. His father is currently on his phone, texting rapidly before tucking it away discreetly. Not sure my dad would like to know he snuck a phone in here. I don’t know much about Matthew Preston, I don’t need to know his background to know he is just like the rest of them.

The Ingersoll family seat holder is staring up at the ceiling, a bored look on his face. Vincent told me the other day he thinks he had a part to play in Nathan’s father’s death. He’s already double claimed him tonight, and I had no problem agreeing to that.

The only extra Elder besides Ronan, me, and any of the guys is Charles Stroughton. He’s Will’s younger brother and completely uninterested in the Brethren. Kinda feel bad to kill him, he could be as disgusted with the Brethren as we are. But he’s been alive for twenty years longer than us. He had so many chances to do what we are tonight, and he didn’t, which makes him as guilty as the rest of them.

Liam slips in at the last minute, keeping his eyes on the ground as he slips behind his father. He gives me an encouraging nod and I do the same.

The door opens again and the man at the door allows Ronan and Andrew to walk in. Andrew is physically shaking as my father stands from his seat at the table. Glancing down at my watch, I notice that we are exactly on time. My eyes meet Ronan’s, and he gives me the slightest of nods, confirming that Wesley, Sky, Vincent and the others are all inside the tunnels.

Perfect.

“Welcome, brother,” my dad smiles at Andrew. “Tonight, you will be graduating from Legacy to Elder. Are you prepared?”

Andrew stutters, his shaking becoming more intense.

“Y-yes,” he says.

I can see my father’s smile fall for a moment before he nods.

“Andrew Hutchinson, do you swear your allegiance to the Brethren? Do you swear to honor our ways, fulfill our practices and protect our secrets?”

“I-I sw-wear,” he stutters.

“Do you swear to slay our enemy when given the chance and keep our people safe?” my father continues.

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