Page 163 of Heartless Legacy

“What is the plan?” I ask. “I couldn’t hear it from my perch at the top.”

He snaps at me. “Then maybe you should’ve been downstairs with the group.”

Power tripping. Of course. “That’s an idea, but then, who would’ve been looking for threats?” Looking around the group, I ask, “Or did the card with the coordinates tell you that this place would be empty?”

He says, “It didn’t mention it, no.”

“Did you have a heads up from the game master that no other prospect groups would be coming here?”

Now everyone’s looking at him. He glances around nervously. “No.”

“So you just assumed we’d be the only ones here on a challenge?”

“We are the only ones here on a challenge.”

“Maybe for now. Maybe they’re in another part of the theater. Maybe they’re on their way. The point is, I never put myself on display when there’s a balcony, roof or tree I can access to get a better look around.” To the second year, I say, “I have plenty of ideas, but I think I’ll just keep them to myself, play follow the leader, and hope he’s not walking us into an ambush.”

Chapter 94

Pax

I’m less than thrilled by the group I’m stuck with tonight. Team building events have always been something Finn, Holden and I have excelled at. Our dynamic lends itself to working well together. Tonight’s group is just a bunch of individuals here to do our own thing. We enter the cemetery, making enough noise to wake the dead. The mausoleum smells dank, and the temperature drops as we descend into the lower level of the crypt. My breath leaves on a whoosh when I see Thea standing alone off to the corner of the room.

A chorus of groans goes up when she hands them a card that says she’s the last member of our team. This’ll be the first time she’s worked with anyone, and I’m nervous and excited to see how it goes. “Tonight’s my lucky night.” I say as I stand next to her.

“I wouldn’t bet on it.” She huffs.

“Is that a threat?” One of the third years in the group asks.

“Does it need to be?” she counters.

The other second year shakes his head. “This won’t work. We need to do this without her. She’s just going to drag down our individual averages. She’s never worked with anyone before and has proven we can’t trust her.

One of the fourth years asks, “How are we gonna do that? She’s assigned to our group.”

The third year says, “We knock her out. By the time she comes to, we’ll be finished with our challenge and on the way back to campus.”

I shift in front of Thea. If anyone makes a move toward her, they’ll have to deal with me. She laughs and steps around me. “Don’t bother going through all that trouble. I’ll remove myself.”

She ducks through the doors without another word. The group smiles and good jobs each other for running her off. Or rather, theythinkthey did. But I know my girl. She didn’t even try to put up a fight, which means she thinks we’re all idiots. I have been, when it comes to her, but I’m not when it comes to strategy and these challenges.

I say, “We need to find that clue.”

The others agree and start looking around the room and the extended branches of the tomb. While they’re distracted, I jog up the stairs to catch up with Thea, who either has, or has already seen, the next clue.

“What are you doing?” She asks when she finally acknowledges that I’m following her.

“What the challenge said to do. Collaborating with a team.”

“Your team is back there and they’re probably looking for you.”

I say what we both know to be true. “Nobody back there gives a shit about me.”

“Newsflash.” She holds up her hands, opening and closing them like they’re a blinking neon sign. “Nobody out here gives a shit about you, either.”

“Yes, I know. But you’re honest about it, which makes you the best person to work with.”

“And being in a cemetery makes it easier to dispose of your body. So unless you have a death wish, I suggest you go back and play with your friends.”

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