Page 81 of Ruthless Legacy

I point to the paper he’s holding.

“Tell me something that’s not on here already.” He sighs. “You do realize this is an interview, right? We’re trying to get a sense of who you are, to decide if you should continue to the next part of the screening process.”

“I thought the interview came on day seven.”

“Our selectees need to be flexible and meet the needs of The League whenever and wherever they arise.”

Page two of the little handbook. I continue to stare at him.

“Fine. Tell me about your father.”

“Don’t have one.”

“Your mother.”

“Probably dead.”

I can see he’s not having any fun with this game. But I am. I’ve done this at least a dozen times, and it never gets old. Someone knocks on the door. Just like in a police station, he steps out into the hall. I count the minutes until he comes back. He’ll either be alone or with the bad cop.

The door opens and two bodies come into the room. Okay, bad cop it is. He comes out with verbal guns, blazing.

“Tell me about the night you got too drunk to complete your crossover ceremony on campus.” Pointing to my application, he says, “It appears that’s a bit of a theme with you. Not completing what you start.” He’s not expecting me to answer, he’s just throwing things at me, trying to see what makes me crack. The other guy gets a call and leaves to take it.

“Drunk mother abandons you. No father.” He laughs. “Of course, those aren’t even your parents. Your real parents didn’t want you, and neither did the one who volunteered to take you away. None of the other legacy students even like you. Why should we accept this application? What makes you think you’re worthy enough to be a Wren?”

I let him talk. The key to successfully breaking someone is finding what they care about and using that against them. I grew up without parents. Reminding me of that doesn’t bother me. It’s my reality. Child and Family Services made me go to therapy for years to deal with my abandonment issues. Since they couldn’t reunite me with my mother, they wanted to try to break the cycle, and make sure my kids won’t wind up in the system.

“What do you have to offer, The League of the Daggered Ravens?” His gaze rakes over me. “I can tell you what. Absolutely nothing. Bringing you in today was a waste of all of our time. But I’m willing to recommend you for advancement to the next screening process if you do one little thing.”

I already know what that thing is going to be before he says it. He pushes away from the table and lowers his zipper. “I’ve heard some things about you on campus. I already know what’s not on that paper. I’ll green line you right now. All you gotta do is come put those lips on my cock.” I flick my eyes over him and laugh. It’s the first thing he’s said that’s warranted a reaction from me.

His gaze darkens. “What the fuck is so funny?”

His question just makes me laugh even harder. All the money, all the influence these guys have, and they all resort to the same bartering system.Suck me off. Are blow jobs not the norm around here?

“This is your last chance. You blow me or you blow your chances here. Your family has no other options. You’ll lose it all, and then they’ll throw you away. Again.”

I shrug. “I’d rather be thrown out like trash than to touch your dusty dick with any parts of my body.”

He pulls out his phone and says, “You think I’m bluffing? You’re done.” He dials a number and puts it on speaker. The person on the other line says, “Yes?”

“Laurent, line. Is a no.”

“Understood.”

I don’t even know how Joshua fairs in his part of the interview. I’m loaded immediately onto a bus with four other people. We’re dropped at the campus gate and I walk to the dorm, feeling relieved that this is over. I chuckle. I didn’t even reject them. They kicked me out, so this can’t blow back on me. Van’s business should be safe.

The elevator is in private mode as I ascend to my floor. I need to buy a new phone this afternoon. I’m sure Sasha and LJ have to be freaking out since they haven’t heard from me in days.

Holden steps into the hall with a frown on his face. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here.”

“Thea, you can’t be here until after your pre-selection process is done.”

“It is done. I did everything wrong, and they came to the conclusion that I’m not a good fit.”

“What do you mean, you did everything wrong?”

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