Page 54 of Twisted Legacy

With one last peck, I slip back through the trees, jogging back to my place. I now have a date with my shower and my hand.

Chapter34

Thea

Moira and Scott both showed up on campus today. They’ve come to campus at least once a week to follow up on the investigation into what happened to me; but I haven’t seen the both of them here together since the day they dropped me off at the beginning of the semester, and I liked it that way.

They’ve been asking me to come to their home and talk, but I haven’t been in the mood. I’m still angry and confused because my life has only gotten more complicated since the news broke that I’m their kid. God, can a girl just deal and process in peace? “I’m still not ready to talk about it.” I say, moving to sit on my couch.

Scott’s running point on this conversation. “Well, it seems we don’t have the luxury of waiting until youareready. We need to set some ground rules.”

Bolting to my feet, I yell, “What am I, eleven, and staying home for the first time by myself? Fuck your rules. I’ve gone this long without them, and I’m sure as shit not entertaining them now.”

“You will sit down and listen to what I have to say, young lady.”

“Or what? You gonna stop paying my tuition. Send me back to Nags Creek? Great. Let’s go.”

His brows pinch together. “What? No. Why would you think that?”

“What do you mean,why? That’s what people do when they pay your way and find out they can’t control you.”

“Thea…, you’re not here for us to control. We didn’t bring you here so that you…” He takes a breath before continuing. “First of all, you’re here because we want you here. Your education is important to you and to us. We wouldn’t stop paying your tuition or throw you out on the street because we’re having difficulties. Families fight. They don’t always agree and we realize you’re used to taking care of yourself, but we’re your parents. We have an obligation to your safety and well being and we care about you.”

I snort at that. They cared so much; I spent nineteen years of my life not knowing they existed. Oh wait,eighteenyears. They cared so much they had someone lie about my age.

He continues on. “Our dynamics notwithstanding, and yes, I know we owe you a huge apology, a lot of answers, and your anger is warranted. But the way you’re going about rebelling… it’s not safe.”

“Safe? Are you serious right now? I didn’t go out looking to get beat up!”

He rakes his hand through his hair and says, “I’m not talking about that, but your behavior since returning to school is drawing attention. Alotof attention. And… we sacrificed a lot to keep you off of certain people’s radar. Now that you’re on it, there are certain things that are expected of you. As our daughter.”

Moira chimes in, “You don’t understand the way things work around here.”

“That’s absolutely true, and that’s probably because-one, I don’t care andtwo- you haven’t told me anything.”

She looks at Scott before giving me the bullshit line, “It’s for your own good.”

“Yeah, well, that shit doesn’t work for me, since I’m the only one who has given a damn aboutmy own goodfor a very long time.”

Moira steps in front of Scott. “Thea, we owe you answers. We’re gonna give them to you, I promise. But it’s a lot and right now things are still raw between us all.”

“If you just tell me the truth about everything-”

“It may send you running away from us.”

I can’t even refute that. Haven’t I been threatening to do just that since that first phone call? My jump bag has been ready since the moment I got back on campus. Well, my second jump bag. Hurricane Eloise destroyed the first. “What can be so bad that I’d run?”

Moira steps closer. She reaches out for me, then quickly tucks her hands behind her back. “I know you think we were selfish or irresponsible or didn’t love you and sent you away while we lived this fabulous life. But it wasn’t like that. I promise I’ll explain everything. I just need some time before dragging it all up.”

“Fine, it’s your trauma. If you’re not ready to spill; I get that. But what does your villain origin story have to do with what I’m doing for fun?”

Scott answers. “Because The League of the Daggered Ravens has appointed you the title of a legacy student.”

“The League of the- You’re talking about the secret society you said didn’t really exist?”

“Oh, they exist, and they have an active recruitment program through Rho Beta Psi.”

I manage a laugh. “Well, rest easy. I didn’t make it into that fancy little sorority Moira was a part of, nor will I be getting an invite to hang with them anytime soon. I am definitely persona non grata, so you don’t have to worry about me dating any of the guys that are a part of the stabbed birds.”

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