Page 73 of Twisted Legacy

“Thea, Honey, I’m never too busy for you.” Pushing the door open, she says, “Come on in.”

I skirt around her and drop into the chair closest to the door while she takes a seat on the small sofa. She feels none of the awkwardness I do, or if she does, she’s good at pretending, because she jumps right in and asks, “What’s on your mind?”

Since she dived in, so will I. “What do you know about this legacy shit?”

She nods and gets up and walks to the desk to pick up the phone. “Wait. Who are you calling? Are you supposed to report me for asking?” I bolt to my feet, then feel silly when she orders food.

I plop back down, blowing out a puff of air. When she disconnects the call, she says. “Thea, you have every right to distrust me. But I’m on your side. We’re all on your side.”

Looking at the plaques on her wall, I say, “It doesn’t feel like it.”

She returns to the sofa. “Then why don’t you tell me what you need, so it does.”

It can’t be that easy, but I wish it were. “Fine. What does being a legacy really mean and why is it such a big deal around here?”

“Ah. That’s easy. Once upon a time, a bunch of rich men settled on some land and decided they owned it. They raised money to build a school and the biggest donors got the biggest perks. As for what it all means, it’s just words that say your family descends from those original men. What’s expected… is for you to carry on the traditions that are important to those men. And what you’reactuallygonna do is make up your own mind about what being a legacy means to you and how you want to carry yourself.”

“Everyone’s telling me I have to sit with the other legacies at meal times, and go to all their little parties, join their bullshit clubs. Deal with the bullshit. It’s just a never ending chorus of have to, have to, have to.”

She flicks her hand in a move that I’d make, if I were dismissing someone from my presence. “That’s how the children are raised. They’re told to only interact within that circle and outsiders find it tough to join in. But like any clique, there are leaders and followers, and just like in every group dynamic, people respond and react accordingly.”

She grabs my hands. “You, my dear, were born into a family of leaders, rule breakers and hell raisers. No matter what you think of Scott, Moira or Hailee, just know that what they did, hiding you away and deceiving the council, it went against everything they’ve ever learned growing up here.”

Hearing that helps a little. It doesn’t fix anything, but knowing I’m not the only one who presses back against the status quo makes me feel a little connected to them.

“Moira said her father will want to meet me.”

“I expect he will.”

“How do I do this, Van?”

“Do what?”

“Live here with these rules? Moira and Scott said I have to stay low key and stop doing things to draw attention. Which is crazy to hear, because I am usually the definition of low key - no attention-, but I’m so mad right now at everyone and everything, and all I want to do is make noise. I want to find out who attacked me and make them pay. I don’t know how to just roll over and pretend it didn’t happen, but…”

“But?”

“But I don’t want to cause trouble for Moira and Scott, either. I’m mad at them, but they say they have a good reason for what they did. I want to believe that. A part of medoesbelieve that, because I think my mom was hiding from something. My gut is telling me that all the moves and the unpredictable behavior were because she didn’t want people from this place finding us.”

“That would be a yes to both of your unasked questions.”

“I don’t want to ask because I’ll probably never get answers to them.”

“Sure you will. Moira and Scott will share when you’re ready to hear them out. And as for the bastards that attacked you… the one surefire way to get answers aboutthatis to embrace your position as a legacy heir.”

“What? No!” I get dizzy from how hard I’m shaking my head. “You’re wrong. Those shits don’t play well with others. I’m operating under the assumption that they’re all in on my attack. For all I know, I’m still being targeted.”

“Those kids don’t play well with outsiders. Which you’re not.” She arches a brow. “And The Trium are your neighbors. They can help you get answers and would actually be the best people to talk to about what being a legacy means now. Befriending them also offers an extra layer of protection.”

“So you’re saying to get answers I have to pretend I like them? Pass.”

“Oh, no.” She chuckles. “I would never suggest that. I’m saying use them for information in whatever form you require.”

I chew that over. “I can do that.”

Our food comes and we eat in silence until my next question comes tumbling out.

“Did you ever think about me? I know you said everyone assumed I was dead, but…”

---