Page 208 of Heartless Legacy

“I assume she’s with her parents, going over last-minute details, like I hoped to do with dad.”

“Well, your father’s delayed at the office.” She purses her lips as if trying to keep from commenting further. He’s probably delayed with someone from the secretarial pool. I feel bad for my mother. Nobody deserves this.

I notice the hypocrisy in that thought because if anyone asks me if I can guarantee I’ll be faithful to Eloise, today the answer is no.

I left campus right after breakfast to come to the cabin. I’ve searched every inch of this secret room. The only reading material in here is a first edition copy of Moby Dick. As I’m returning the book to its place on the shelf, my hand knocks against a bust of Julius Cesar. It slides an inch, revealing a switch on the wall.

I press the switch, gears spin, and the wall panel slides away, revealing a second room containing tables and shelves full of documents, books, and spreadsheets. I walk over to the stack of books in the center of the room, picking up the one on the top. Opening it, I read the inscription on the first page, right above the league motto.

The amount listed here-in meets the threshold for recognition, and having passed the challenges set before him is hereby appointed a member of The Circle.

An Unkind Family Disappoints, Treacherous Friends Betray,

A Conspiracy to Offer a Bond

That cannot be Severed, Forsaken, or Changed

Turning to the first page with an entry, I read the dollar amount and the task assigned to it. Closing the book, I return it to the table and circle the room, thumbing through two more books with the same inscription and different accounting entries, before coming to a stop in front of some kind of workstation. On it is a leather cover bound book with my family’s name on it. The inscription inside reads just like the others.

Right next to it is a copy of Moby Dick. How many of these damn books does my dad need? I flip the cover to see which edition it is. Inside is hollow, with a cutout section containing ledger pages wrapped in ribbon inside. I pull the papers free and untie the ribbon, flipping through the first few pages.

The wording is significantly different from the other books, but the dates ink stamped underneath are the same. Why does my father have so many copies of these ledgers?

I drive slower than usual, heading back to town, not wanting to risk getting pulled over with the things I have in my possession. My first stop is Holden’s room.

When he answers the door, I admit, “I lied to you.” Then quickly explain, “You asked why we’d never seen or heard of these charge books, but that’s not true. I’d seen one before.”

“When?”

“My grandmother had a warehouse full of things from my great-grandfather’s estate. There was a stack of books and she told me to pick a few to give as a birthday gift to Jason Igor.” Meeting Holden’s gaze, I let him see what I don’t seem to have the guts to say. That kidnapping attempt happened to him, but it was traumatic for me, too.

I take a shaky breath before continuing. “The ledger was mixed in with other leather-bound books, all collector’s editions, but it was the only one that didn’t have a title. I opened it, and there was a piece of paper with a poem I didn’t understand on the first page. I closed it right away.”

As I hand him the book I took from the cabin, he asks, “It was still in your grandmother’s possession?”

“No. I found it at the cabin in my father’s secret room.”

“This one was hidden inside a fake copy of Moby Dick. There were a few other charge books in his room, but this is the only one without a cover. I’m hoping we can figure out who it belongs it, why the inscription is different, and why my father hid this one away and not the others.”

Chapter 114

Pax

I’m worried about Holden. He’s been more subdued than usual since our conversation about the journal. Talking about the party brought up bad memories for me. I know it has to be affecting him, too.

He gives me a careless shrug when I ask, “You good man?” But I don’t buy it. His shoulders are too tense. The door to the dining hall swings open and Thea enters, scanning the serving line for someone. She steps out of view while she waits for her order. When she finally passes our table, she’s carrying a tray loaded with food. She places half of it in front of Holden before heading over to her table. He doesn’t speak, and he’s still scanning his surroundings. He hasn’t eaten dining hall food in four days.

“If you wanna talk.” I say, trying to offer support.

“I don’t.”

I drop it because pressing Holden to talk about his feelings will get me nowhere. I take that back. It might get us fighting, but then that will lead nowhere. He picks up his phone and reads the message, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he looks over at Thea’s table.

I shift to see what he’s looking at. Thea’s shoulders shake as she types something into her phone. Holden’s pings again, and this time he curses under his breath. Another ping and he’s out of his seat, walking over to her table. She shrieks as he scoops her up and brings her back over to where we’re sitting, placing her on the table in front of him. He taps his tongue ring against his teeth as he places the fork in her hand.

Readjusting her grip on the utensil, Thea asks, “You think I won’t?”

He simply shrugs. I watch, fascinated, as she grips his jaw, leans forward, and says, “It’s safe to eat.”

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