Page 93 of Twisted Legacy

“He does, now. It was stupid of me to think I could continue to lie about you being related to Scott’s cousin. The minute we brought you here, it was only a matter of time before The League uncovered the truth.”

“And now they want me to be one of their legacy brats?”

“Yes.”

“What happens if I say no? If I keep saying no?”

“Thea, I know you like your autonomy and making decisions for yourself, but on this, there is no telling them no. You were born into this bloodline, and I don’t have any leverage, or anyway to hide you again, since the truth is out there. I can only hope that whatever role they want you to play isn’t too bad.”

I snap my fingers and say, “Now we’re getting to the conflict in the story. I’m not playing anyroles.I’m here for school -and I’ll be honest- every day I wake up I’m ready to sayfuck this school. So there won’t be any roles or assignments that I’ll be accepting around here. This is all just the free trial period, and I’m ready to cancel my subscription.”

“I wish it were that simple, Thea. God, how I wish you could just say no, and tell them all to go fuck themselves. But this town, The League of the Daggered Ravens, once they get their hands on you…”

“They’d have to catch me first, and if they did, it wouldonlybe because I let them.”

With a sad smile, she says, “That’s entirely your choice, and if you decide to leave, we’ll help you get settled somewhere new, but I hope you’ll stick around.”

Narrowing my eyes, trying to see through the bullshit, I say, “You don’t want to fight me about this?”

“Of course I do, but I have the feeling pushing back will only make you more determined to go. It would makememore determined to go. When you make your choice, I want it to be rational, not based on your desire to tell me to kiss your ass.”

My lips twitch. “Fair enough.” I take in the room and the paintings on the wall. “So what do you do for the not so secret society?”

“Pretty much the same thing I do at my day job. I use my design and marketing skills to create content, like flyers and mementos for their parties.”

“You said your father was all about status. Do you think he’ll want to marry me off to someone?”

“I love my father. It took a long time for us to rebuild our relationship after I married Scott, and we’re on shaky ground now, because I lied to him for all these years, so we haven’t really talked about what it means for The League to acknowledge you as a part of his bloodline. I just hope he’s learned his lesson about how far people will go, how farIwill go to keep you from the same fate Hailee and I faced. But a part of me worries that if he decides it’s an avenue worth pursuing -to regain the footing he lost- then,yes, he would definitely try to match you with someone.”

“Even though I’m not his daughter?”

“You’re still a Laurent. So you fall under his authority with the council. As the oldest male of our bloodline, he’d have that responsibility over you.”

I grimace at the words,authority.“Not Scott?” He and I have a prickly relationship, but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be trying to pimp me out. He keeps telling me tostay awayfrom boys.

“Males married into a bloodline have no power outside of what The League gives them, because women don’t hold leadership positions. I know you don’t want to hear this, Thea, and I’m gonna sound like a hypocrite saying it, but the best way to keep The League of the Daggered Ravens from looking too closely at you is to blend in. Keep your head down. Go to class. Don’t do anything that gets you noticed.”

Too late for these warnings. I bat my eyes and give a demure smile. “I’m all about existing in obscurity. I’m already declining invites to their parties.”

She laughs and says, “I’ll make a list of the ones you should attend.”

My smile drops. “Maybe you didn’t hear me. I said I’ve beenignoringthe invites.”

“Oh, I heard you, and I saiddon’tdo anything to get noticed. Turning down every invite will get you noticed.” She picks up her phone and types. “I’ll let you know the events Scott and I are attending. That should make it easier.”

She invites me to stay for dinner, but I decline, needing some time to sit with what I just learned. I feel a little better after having talked to her. I still don’t like being lied to, and I’m even less enthused about this legacy crap, but I have a little better understanding of what a young Moira would have been thinking. I would’ve made plans to run away from some perverted asshole, too. Of course, my departure would have involved bloodshed.

I go over the conversations I’ve had with Van, Moira and even the Coxsuckers. Everyone’s saying the same thing. There is no way to avoid having to tangle with this league while I’m in their town. I already feel the weight pressing down on me, taking away my ability to breathe.

I pull out my phone and send a text. I need oxygen. I need a life raft.

Chapter54

Thea

I’m walking the perimeter of the woods, debating whether to venture into them again. I know I’m not alone. This time, they’re not even trying to be subtle about following. “Come on out and face me, instead of stalking through the shadows like a pussy.” I don’t have Clint, but I’m not out here empty-handed. I pull the butcher knife out of my makeshift hilt.

The Coxsuckers step from behind the building.

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