Page 17 of Twisted Legacy

Pax picks this moment to join our conversation. “Do you know who’d be able to hide her tracks? People who are trying to tear The League apart. They’d have plans and contingencies to protect their assets. And those people could be a government agency, or a corporation with deep pockets. We can’t rule anything out.”

Of course he thinks her disappearance is ammunition to support his theory that she’s our enemy, but I think this is just one more thing that makes her so fucking hot. A real life action hero whose pussy feels like heaven? Sign me up for more of that.

Someone walking by says into their phone, “Can you believe we haven’t crossed over yet?”

The complaint is one I’ve heard several times this week.

“I don’t know what the holdup is. I think somebody should go ask The Trium why they’re sitting on their asses instead of doing something.” He looks over his shoulder and catches me staring.

I’m not in the mood for this shit, but since he’s talking loud enough for everyone to hear, I’ll have to address it. I pull out my knife. “Go on Everdeen. I know the words are on the tip of your tongue to volunteer as tribute. And once they fall, I’ll happily take your tongue so you never wag it in my vicinity again.”

He scurries off, clearly not man enough to get the deed done. The thing is, wehaveasked what the holdup is, and the answer is simple. Nothing can happen while Thea’s “accident” is still under investigation. The Intercollegiate Fraternity Council was on campus a few days ago. They’re trying to decide if any of the Greek clubs broke the basic rules they agreed to uphold when they joined the ICC. We’re all getting scrutinized. Thea was dropped from Zeta Nu’s pledge roster, but that doesn’t mean another fraternity or sorority didn’t use her as a willing or unwilling pawn in an initiation prank that went too far. Willing. My Pet? Not likely. But that’s the narrative we’re supporting. As long as nobody actually confesses to anyone,other than me, about what happened; the ruling that it was an accident should stand, and we can get back to finishing out the pledge season.

“He’s right, you know.” Eloise pouts. “Our entire season is on hold because of that stupid bitch. She probably did this just to mess with us, you know? Since she wasn’t Zeta Nu material, she’s made it so all the worthy pledges can’t claim their place.”

Pax chuckles. Is he agreeing with her? Holden lowers his tablet. I think he’s about to say something, but he gets to his feet and walks to the exit.

Every day Thea’s gone is one more day we risk the high council taking a closer look into what’s been happening at school. We have a job to do -and it’s important that we succeed- but for now, as long as the investigation is underway, Thea’s absence is working in the school’s favor.

Chapter12

Thea

My molars grind together as I raise my left arm over my head. I’m trying to regain some fluidity in my stiff body. I’ve been through fights before, and I’ve lost plenty, so I know what it feels like to be pulverized. But none of those losses have ever felt like this. I’m not just talking about the aches and bruises. I feel like there’s a weight on my chest that has nothing to do with the broken ribs. I’m still piecing together what happened between walking into Moira and Scott’s house and finding those photo albums, and waking up here.

My mind stalls on my stupid decision to go see Finn. He’s always been a bit of a jerk when he closes ranks with Pax and Holden, but he was never cruel until that night. There was no hint of the teasing we usually did. It was nothing but anger and him trying to humiliate me. I owe him for that, and I won’t feel better until I’ve gotten payback.

Deacon gives me a pointed look. He doesn’t think I should be doing anything more strenuous than eating and sleeping. “I’m fine, Coach.”

“We’re not at school, or the gym, Thea. You don’t have to call me coach.”

“Right. I just figured with everyone else flipping the script on me, you have, too.”

He leans against the wall, wearing a white tee and his hair’s damp like he recently showered, his arms folded across his pecs. He sleeps in my bed, but he’s been clear about where we stand in this power dynamic. Same place we did before. He’s the coach, I’m the student. I’m tired of looking at him, and I’m tired of being here. I need to figure out my next moves and I can’t do that with him hovering.

“Why am I here?”

“Because you need to heal.”

“Last I checked, doctor wasn’t on your resume.”

“Then you didn’t look close enough, because I have EMT experience.”

“Seriously. Why did you bring me here instead of leaving me at the hospital or the school infirmary?”

“Your injuries were too severe for the school. You needed surgery. As for why you’re not in a hospital; your aunt and uncle thought it’d be best not to leave you in Canyon Falls General, and risk all the questions that would come with that.”

That tracks. “So the liars shipped me off again.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Moira and Scott. The liars. They’re not my aunt and uncle.”

“Blood relations don’t matter. They care for you, and that’s the title you’ve given them.”

“No, I mean, they’re reallynotmy aunt and uncle. Turns out they’re my parents.Surprise,it’s a girl.” I study his face, waiting for a reaction. He doesn’t have one. “You don’t look surprised.”

“Unexpected paternity reveals are why I’m so meticulous about sanitation at the gym. I don’t want the gym shutting down for people taking involuntary DNA samples.”

---