Page 238 of Heartless Legacy

“We’re coming,” I say as I step into the parking lot.

“We?”

“Me and an unexpected package I just picked up.”

I slip into the SUV, after Pax, and ask the driver. “How far away are we from the dead zone near The Tomb?”

“I can get us there in under an hour.”

Terrance hands me a shirt and says, “This should fit him.”

Turning to Pax, I help him slip the t-shirt on and say, “I need to make a stop at The Tomb. I can send you with the team to get treated.”

He winces as he shakes his head. “My father shipped me off to Rockridge, and I woke up here. I saw those people, those kids in cages. I recognized some of them from lower ranked legacy families.” His aquamarine eyes darken, as he says, “My father wants to overthrow the high council. If he succeeds, no one will be safe, so whatever you’re about to do, I’m doing it with you.”

“Alright, then.” Giving his hand a squeeze, I say, “Let’s end this.”

Chapter 127

Thea

The adrenaline’s wearing off, and I’m feeling every one of my injuries. The medics gave me a quick once over. They confirmed two of my ribs are broken, and a piece of wood impaled me in my side. The wound is leaking like a sieve, and I need a tetanus shot. But none of that matters as Pax and I limp down the stairs to The Tomb, using the wall for support. I’m fighting double vision as we make our way to the inner chamber where the emergency session is happening. Even the smallest of movements hurt, but I compartmentalize the pain, and ignore the bone deep exhaustion I feel. I’m going to finish this. Passing out can wait.

I shove the door open more from the momentum of my body banging into it as opposed to actually using my arm with any efficacy. The noise ricochets through the space, cutting off the person talking, mid sentence.

All eyes swing towards us. I don’t look at the prospects, my attention focused solely on the elevations where the council members stand as I leave Pax’s side. Given what I’ve been through these last two days, it’s ironic that this room reminds me so much of a colosseum. The place where the council standshas them separated, just like the cavea, according to rank. The council is in ceremonial cloaks, masks pinned to their sides.

“What is the meaning of this interruption?” The Sergeant of Arms huffs, walking towards me. I shove past him, walking right up to the dais and stand in the spot I was in a year ago when they issued the challenge for me to be penetrated by masked strangers or endure a beating.

That’s the day Pax stepped up to save me. Now I’m here to return the favor. I lower my hood and turn my head towards the spot where Malcolm stands.

“First Year Prospect LaReaux?” The recorder gasps.

“In the bruised and bloody flesh.”

“That’s- that’s impossible.”

“Why is that?” I already know why. But I want to hear him say it.

“We were told you were…. the reports say that you…”

I understand why he’s having a hard time articulating his thoughts. “The reports say I was brutally attacked and didn’t survive.” I finish for him.

Most of the guards Delta Team caught were loyal to the person signing their checks, but there was one who thought his chances of survival would be better if he told the truth. I know all about the lie they’ve been told to cover my latest disappearance. Lazarro never intended to let me walk out of that gauntlet. The only things in my future were the same as everyone else’s in those cages. Death or prostitution.

“They do.” The recorder confirms.

“Lucky for me, I was able to fight off my attackers.”

He scans my face and says, “You should be in the hospital.”

“I thought it was more important that I come straight here and file a formal grievance against the people who have been working so hard this past year to facilitate my death.”

Someone from the second level says, “A league challenge is not an order to death, Prospect LaReaux.”

Looking at him, I respond, “I’m not talking about within the process of competing in challenges.”

Slowly sweeping my gaze around the room and then from one end of the council box to the other, I call out names. “Leonardo Burke.” I point to a second council member, “Archibald Grant, Evan Bishop, and,” Malcolm stands stoic in place, as my attention falls to him. “Malcolm Cox, Jr.”

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