Page 18 of Ruthless Legacy

“She has more interests in common with the guys at Rho Beta Psi. She outscored some of our highest ranking pledges during rush season.”

“That’s high praise coming from you.”

“That’s why I think with the proper mentor, she’ll succeed as a guardian.”

He studies me. Trying to find the lie. But every word I said is true. If they’re determined to do something with Thea, Guardian is the best fit.

Look at me, being reasonable and unbiased. It would be so easy to derail her chances at being assigned as a guardian. I could plant seeds of doubt and have the council rethink their decision. Get her family ostracized as unaligned. But, I think I’ve done enough. Her transferring to MISTIC gets me what I wantandwhat The League wants. She’ll be on a different campus, no longer around to distract Finn and Holden, and The League gets a new guardian bloodline.

“I’m surprised.” My grandfather says, pulling me from my musings.

“About what?”

“I was under the impression that young Rhodes had taken an interest in her. You’re advocating for her to be classified as a guardian line, which means they’d never be able to interact again, unless he follows through on his petition to transfer.”

Finn’s mad at me, but that doesn’t matter. I’m sitting across the table from my grandfather. A high council member. Someone who’s questioning Finn’s commitment to his matched companion, and his commitment to our Trium.

I force out a laugh. “Grandfather, Finn’s an adrenaline junky, and probably thinks going through training at MISTIC would be a fun challenge. He’d be just as excited to find out he’s been selected to train with the Navy Seals for a month. And as for Thea, he won’t even notice she’s gone. He takes an interest in lots of women. At the end of the day, he’s committed to his future union with Eloise.”

The lie feels like ash on my tongue. I gulp down my drink, trying to purge the bitter taste from my mouth.

* * *

Thea

“Are you sure about this?” LJ asks as I reach for the door handle.

I smile over at her. “What’s he gonna do in a crowded restaurant?” I purposely chose the diner to have this conversation. It’s all about putting him on my turf.

“You’re right, but I was talking about your decision. I know you haven’t really gone into details about why you’re saying no, but Sasha and I were talking and-”

“Oh, were you now?” I snicker at the thought of my two besties talking about me.

“Yes, we were, and I wonder if you’ve considered everything that goes along with your answer.”

“I have. Wolfe’s explained it to me, Moira’s explained it to me, and Scott’s explained it to me.”

She gnaws on her acrylic thumbnail. “Right, but you haven’t actually talked to anyone in The League. So everyone else’s answers are just speculation.”

“It’s good enough for me, because I don’t want to be a part of any organization that wants to dictate the rest of my life, and prevents me from being free to make my own choices about schools, jobs, and friends. I’m not hitching my wagon to anything that’s going to force me to stay here. Especially when I have so many questions about what part those stuffy ass men played in Moira and Scott’s decision to send me away.”

She gives me a rueful smile. “Ok, then. As long as you’re sure.”

“I’m sure as I can be.” Pulling the door open, I ask, “I’ll catch up with you later?”

“Yeah. I’ll be at my parents. Call me when you get back to campus.”

I put my blasé face on, striding towards the booth where Joshua’s sitting.

“Theona.”

I tamp down the urge to correct my name. It doesn’t matter what he calls me, this will probably be the last time I have to interact with him, outside of family get togethers. IfI attend them.

“Thank you for meeting with me.” He smiles, attempting to put me at ease. Mel comes over with a glass of water. “You thinking brunch or lunch today, sugar?”

“Mmm. I’m feeling like powdered sugar, so I think brunch.”

“Belgian waffles?”

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