Page 89 of Twisted Legacy

Everyone watches our moves too damn closely. It’s a wonder we can even shit without the entire school gossiping about it. Somebody mutters, “Now there’s someone who needs to take a long drive. Right, Eloise?”

She glances over at me, but doesn’t respond. It’s a very delicate situation to navigate. Openly trash talking a legacy. The wrong person hears it and reports back to The League, then your affiliation comes into question.

We don’t pretend to like everyone, but we don’t broadcast it. Thea walks over to her usual table. I finish my meal and then go over to her. “Finn told you why you need to eat with us. No more hanging out on your own like you’re unaligned.”

“And I told Finn to get fucked. Are you Finn’s spokesperson today? Because you can get fucked too.”

“I already did.”

Her mouth pops open. I know Finn and Coach Wolfe told her what happened. I guess she didn’t think I’d mention it. Since I had a smaller dose, I remember it all. “And since I have, I can say with certainty it’ll never happen again.”

“That life altering, huh? Afraid you’ll become addicted to me?”

“It was that boring and forgettable. I wouldn’t waste the erection on you when my hand shows me a better time. You might convince inexperienced boys that you’re a good lay, but I’ve fucked lots of women and you’re the worst I ever had. If I hadn’t of been dosed, I wouldn’t even have nutted.”

“Finn had a good time, and he was sober. Both times.”

“Did he? Then why was it so easy to dismiss you when he found out the truth about you? Finn doesn’t let anything get in the way of a good fuck.” I twist my lips, mocking her further. “I guess that’s why he’s not here now. He’s avoiding the girl he pity fucked.”

I dig one more nail under her skin. “You’d think fucking someone as old as Deacon Wolfe would have taught you how to please a man. But I guess it’s just young pussy and the thrill of it that he’s chasing after.”

Eloise walks up in time to hear her say, “That speech is the opposite of convincing me to sit over there with your cult.”

“Oh, make no mistake, whore. Pax doesn’t want you over there. None of us do, but it’s expected. Now feel free to skip every meal here and we won’t need to have this conversation again. Or better yet, leave school like we told you months ago and sit wherever you want in a new location.”

Thea purses her lips in thought. “You would like that, right? Me away from this school and Finn?” She shakes her head. “I think I’ll stay a little longer. Things are just getting fun..”

Her bravado waivers when someone yells and a tray drops behind her. Eloise laughs. “Awe, is the little baby afraid of the big bad sound? You’re so weak and pathetic. Did you learn anything at all in Coach Wolfe’s Physical Enhancement Class?” She laughs. “What am I saying? Of course you didn’t. Not even how to keep your balance or dig a hole. That’s why you had to visit the infirmary after you fell into a coffin and couldn’t dig your way out on Mayhem Night, isn’t it?”

I stiffen. I give Thea shit. I can’t stand her. But the idea of someone else taking shots like this pisses me off. I know why I’m antagonizing her. It’s to get her to act in her own best interest because being reasonable isn’t part of her personality. She won’t do shit we want her to do, so I have to reverse psychology her ass into it.

Eloise is saying this shit just to tear her down. Turning to Eloise, I say, “Did I ask you to come over here and give your input? You’re sitting with us is a privilege, based on your relationship to Finn, not because you’ve earned the right.”

“I have more rights than she does.”

Glaring at her I say, “When it’s time for the Zeta Nu’s to send out the invites for Thea to pledge, next semester, then you get to haze her. Until then, go back to the table. Stay in your seat and stay out of Trium business, or we’ll send you back to where you were sitting before.”

As I’m watching Eloise walk away, Thea gets up from her seat. “Where are you going?”

“Gonna finish my food someplace where there’s less bullshit and bravado in the air.”

I hate that she’s walking away, but I’m not about to run after or call out to her and cause a scene. I keep my mask in place so nobody knows how livid I am. How did I get stuck on campus with the problem children?

When I exit The Rock after my meal, I walk through The Circle to get to my car. I pass Thea on a picnic bench stretched out on top of it, staring up at the sky. Her fingers tap against her right leg, but other than that, she looks completely relaxed and calm. I resist the urge to walk over and continue our conversation.

I have a Wren meeting, and I don’t need to be in a worse mood than I’m already in, when I get there.

Chapter52

Pax

I’m on the way back to Vale Tower after my last exam. Finn sent a text saying he intercepted another package from The Prides and Lady Lions. They’re really going overboard trying to woo Thea. She seems receptive to them too, which only creates more chaos and drama every time we intervene. There’s no way we can let a legacy princess, no matter how low and annoying, join a rival sorority.

Nothing says ineffectual rule as much as that happening on our watch. I come from a long line of Triums. There’s no way in hell I’m letting the history and reputation my family has built around here go to shit behind this trouble maker. I rub the pin clipped to the underside of my shirt at the collar. It’s the symbol of my family’s legacy, a show of our power.

My grandfather has been a member of the high council for over thirty years, having taken over the position from his father. He’s ruthless, has a dry sense of humor and doesn’t suffer fools.

His relationship with my father is strained. There’s always been tension there, but it’s been getting worse over the years. They keep up appearances at events, and around other people, but in private, my dad is barely civil.

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