Page 22 of Brutal Kingdom

As a form or reward or punishment, Bella has every right to make the call about where people sleep, but I see two problems with putting Jordanna in The Dungeon. One the Internet reception there is crappy compared to the rest of campus. It’s damn hard to hack a computer that’s not online. The second issue is that it’s too close to The Rift and the building and rooms have flimsy ass locks. I’ll be the first one to admit the dark path and seclusion makes it the worst place on campus for anyone to live. But especially a woman. Which is why we don’t put them there.

We keep a tight rein on students, but we can’t police everyone and there are predators on campus. Will immediately comes to mind. She'd be a sitting duck if he went after her again. I object on those grounds and not because I have any residual sense of affection for her. “I think that’s the wrong move.”

“The dungeon is where traitors belong, and I’ve already started the process to get her moved.”

If I reach across the table and strangle her, I’ll be free, but I’ll be facing another type of life sentence. “When did you do that?”

“Before the semester even started. I’m just waiting for Lyndsey to sign the transfer.”

So, that’s why it’s a group meeting. She’s trying to put me on the spot, so I’ll go along with it. Lyndsey owes me a favor, and I guess to make this happen, and to make Bella happy, I’m supposed to call it in. Bella’s always so short sided. Call in a favor for this? It’ll take me weeks to get Lyndsey to owe me again.

Nobody else speaks up, so it’s on me to shut this plan down. “I don’t feel comfortable moving Jordanna to the dungeon. Don’t you think Smith Hall would be a better choice?”

“Smith Hall is still in civilization and I want her on leper island. Now call your friend to make that happen.” She says decisively. Smooth. I almost feel scolded into submission.Not.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I think fast, and land on a reason that puts this all back on her. “I’m not sure my favor is enough. Since I’m no longer at the top of the food chain, my name won’t offer Lyndsey the same level of job security. You’re thekingBella.” I emphasize the word, to make my point clear.

“That’s right, I’m in charge and I’m telling you to do this, and give my assurance that she won’t be fired, or penalized.”

“You know that’s not how any of this works. You want me to negotiate on your behalf by expending my favor, and everyone knows how much I hate that sort of transactional structure, so what do I get out of it?”

Bella’s good at manipulating weak willed people into doing what she wants, but I’ve been playing this game all my life, and I know better than to give up collateral without a guarantee I’m getting something bigger and better in return.

She doesn’t have a comeback for that, and the truth is, there’s nothing she has that I want except for her refusing to sign that marriage contract and we’re nowhere near the signature part yet.

I sit back, picking up my coffee and biting into my croissant. Having shut her down, my appetite’s picking up.

I trudged through classes as if in a fog. Thankfully, this day is finally over. I expected a slow start to the semester, but my professors had other ideas. Who assigns a twenty-page essay the first week of school? My journalism ethics and first amendment law professor, that’s who. I wanted a few minutes alone, but Logan’s already at the paper when I show up. He’s in my quantitative reasoning class, which is my first class on Tuesday and Thursday. That gives me hours to recoup before having to see him again. We’re also both in senior studio, but we have our own spaces and our interaction will be limited to an occasional lecture or peer critique session.

“I didn’t think you’d show up.”

He’s sneering at me in disgust. If mom was here, she’d tell him to stop or his face would get stuck like that. You know what, keep at it. Let the outside match the inside.

“I work here. It’s you that should’ve resigned.”

“Me?”

“That’s right. You’ve made it perfectly clear how much I disgust you, so why subject yourself to having to work with me? You can quit and I’ll takegoodcare of the paper and the staff.”

“This is my paper. I won’t give you the satisfaction of taking this from me the way you did my school and let’s not pretend I don’t disgust you just as much. That’s why I’m having a hard time understanding why you showed up at The Rift and threw yourself at me.”

Is that what it looked like from where he sat? I don’t have to pretend to do or be anything for them anymore. I can live in my truth. “Because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my family and your sick friends explained that any deals or decisions made at The Rift are binding and went straight to threatening my sister.”

“They did what?”

Shaking my head, I shut down his words with a withering glare. “I don’t care when you knew, or if this is the first you’re hearing about it, because I meant what I said. I’ll dowhateverit takes to protect my family. Your buddies say The Rift is some sort of neutral zone, so I can’t actually say you guys violated our agreement. But out here in the real world, your intimidation tactics won’t work. You come for me, and I’m coming for you, right back.”

“Whatever it takes, huh? Does that include demeaning yourself in front of half the school?”

“That’s right. I’ll blow the devil and his army in front of the Administration Building, if I have to.”

Mrs. Morgan steps out of her office, pretending not to have heard that declaration. She walks to the pitch room to host our first official meeting of the school year. I follow closely behind. Two minutes and I’m ready to scratch Logan’s eyes out. I was never this angry or quick to attack before. I count this as one more bad habit I developed because of them.

For the next thirty minutes, I put our animosity aside. We all want the same thing. To put out a paper that’s fresh, fun and informative. Logan rejects all of my suggestions, again, and puts me on photo assignment with Baxter, because not letting me write is the only way he can punish me.

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