Page 57 of Twisted Legacy

The thing is, I don’t care about him being mad about that piece of paper. I’m upset too. What bothers me is that he didn’t at least try to talk it out like an adult, and he’s the one walking around here sulking like I’m being irrational. If he’s expecting me to be the bigger person, the joke’s on him; I’m as petty as they come.

I think it’s time to bring in some visual aides because he’s just not getting it. I don’t justget overshit. I’m not a roll with the punches kind of girl. I’m the kind of girl that hits back,hard.

What I’m about to do is gonna hurt, but it’s the least he deserves. When I add up the value of all the shit The Trium did to me, and what they had their flunkies do, this won’t even put a dent in it. It takes no time at all to climb over onto his balcony and let myself inside. My wrist is still tricky, but it’s getting better each day, and there’s nothing like practicing a bit of fine motor skills to help get it back in shape.

My body buzzes as I close the door behind me. What is it about doing something so wrong that excites me so much? I was always told I was acting out, but maybe it’s infused in my DNA. Moira said stealing a bike was something she’d do in retaliation for being wronged. Would she do this too?

I loved my mom, Hailee, and no matter what, I will never change the time we had together. But other than Sasha, there’s nobody who knows this side of me. Or rather, nobody who hasn’t paid me for my services. Nobody I could talk to. Could Moira and I share about this? If she knew, would she accept me for this, or turn me in?

I don’t need a mom, but maybe I could have an adult friend who gets me. I push those thoughts away and get to work looking for my prize. Finn’s out at another one of his frat parties, so I have some time to work.

He’s proud of his knife collection, so it’s on display in his living room. The hardest thing for me to do is decide which one I want to make prettier.

I settle on the Cold Steel Espada. Without hesitation, I jab the press plate. The speed at which the blade unfolds is breathtaking. She’s a beauty. All shiny and spot free. I hate to do it, but I can’t let my affection for sharp, pointy objects win.

I slip my backpack off my shoulders and get to work. It takes an hour and the mold definitely needs to cure, but I admire my handy work. I carefully place the knife back on its stand and let myself out the way I came in. After a quick shower, I’m ready for some more fun.

* * *

Finn

Somebody’s fucking with us. First it was Holden’s computers, then Pax’s bike, and now I’m standing here staring at my knives, and one thing is definitelynotlike the others.

“Nothing on the cameras, man.” Holden says, closing the cover on his tablet.

“There has to be something. My knife didn’t just bronze itself and I promise in all the years I’ve been alive, never once have I shown signs of having Midas’ touch.”

I walk around my display case, making sure nothing else was tampered with or missing.

Pax cracks his knuckles. “Okay, then it’s time we confront Austin and his frat. I don’t know how they’re bypassing the cameras, but it’s time we put them in their place.”

Holden sighs and says, “It’s probable that it’s Austin, but we need to make sure before we just go after them.”

“Who else would be stupid enough to come after us?”

I chime in, “I can think of a few people who fit the stupid category, but…”

“But what?”

“But this feels personal.” I stop in front of my display stand again. Staring at all of my knifes. Slowly, my anger evaporates and I smile. “She forgives me.”

“What?”

“I don’t know why I didn’t realize that as soon as I walked in.”

“Where are you going?” Pax asks as I head to the door.

I turn to look at him. “Didn’t you hear what I said? Thea has finally accepted my apology.”

He and Holden share a look, then he says, “You’re reaching, man. This isn’t Thea’s doing.”

“Yes, it is. This is exactly something she’d do.” I can see he doesn’t believe me, so I explain, “Before things went to shit, she and I were pulling these types of pranks on each other, all the time. She’s clearly thought about my offer to be best friends, and this is her way of saying yes.”

“That makes no sense, and even if it did, how would she get in your room without coming through the front door?”

Holden speaks up, “The balcony. That’s how she got to his favorite beanie the last time.”

Pax yells, “What the fuck do you mean, the last time? How many times has she broken in?”

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