Page 121 of Heartless Legacy

“Then why are we doing this?” I ask.

“Because I need to know what this lie is.”

I suspected that would be his answer. “That’s assuming there’s a lie to reveal.”

Finn interjects, “There’s always a lie to reveal.”

“So that’s why you accepted too? You think we’re being lied to?”

Finn frowns at me. “You don’t? You think everything we’ve ever been told is true? That the council shares everything they know?”

With a sigh, I point out, “Secrets aren’t lies, Finn.”

“True, but they often go hand in hand.”

Holden scoots forward on his couch, placing his coffee cup on the table. “I know this is a big ask. We win. We excel. We work hard to make a name for ourselves, but what has that gotten us? How has being the best benefitted us? We can’t make decisions about our lives. We can’t pick our jobs, or the peoplewe spend time with. Everything is chosen for us, just to maintain the power structure.” He looks at me. “You screwed us over for power, and I can’t even request to be matched with the girl I want because she’s not listed high enough on the scoreboard.”

“The girl we want.” Finn corrects, reminding him he’s not the only one who wants Thea.

I have to keep quiet on that matter, although secretly I’m agreeing with them both. Instead, I say, “You agreed because you think it’s a way to circumvent the matching process?”

Holden explains, “It’s a way to test just how much power we have. Are we The Trium, or are we our father’s avatars?”

Finn and Holden’s dads are nothing like my own. Embarrassing him comes with consequences. But not honoring what I said will too.

A hand grasps my shoulder. I look up to see Finn standing next to me. “We’re still pissed at you, Pax, but you’re not doing this alone. We’ve got your back, just like we always have.”

Taking a labored breath, I swallow and say, “Okay. I guess we’re doing this.”

Chapter 72

Thea

“LJ, get your ass out here!” I bellow, banging the heel of my hand on her door. She’s gonna make us late. I bang again. “Let’s go!”

The door swings open. “Thea?” She frowns as she scratches the back of her neck. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that what you’re wearing?” I ask.

Glancing down at her outfit, she asks, “To sit around my room? Yes.”

I step into her room. “It’s cute, but it’s not gonna work.”

“For lounging around in my room?”

“You’re not lounging around tonight. We’re going out, and you need to put some other clothes on.”

Closing the door behind me, she sighs, “I’m not in the mood for a party, with a bunch of people pressing against me, Thea.”

I open my mouth to tell her to just do what I say, but then I notice the strain around her eyes. “It’s not a party, LJ. It’s girl’s night and I want to take you somewhere fun. Now go change into some cute jeans and a top.”

“I think we’ve long since established you and I often have different ideas of fun.” She grumbles.

“True, but I think you’ll like this one.”

LJ looks nervous as we weave our way through the crowd. “A race, Thea?”

“An illegal street race.” I cackle at the look of pure horror on her face. I probably should have warned her about where we were going, but I wanted to get the full effect of her seeing it for the first time. It did not disappoint.

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