Page 151 of Heartless Legacy

My stomach turns as I come up with a new theory. A more plausible theory to this whole thing. The Leaguemayhave done a surface level inquiry into mom’s disappearance, and then let it go, but someone else continued to look for her. One person has been adamant about his hate for me,for us,from the moment I stepped foot in Canyon Falls. One person who decided to wed and breed me.

My eyes snap to Alexz’s. He has that calculating glint in his eyes again. He gives me a slight nod, letting me know we’re thinking the same thing. What if mom stole Malcolm’s Impossible Challenge item from Evan Bishop, and that’s the reason he has it out for me? If that’s it, then figuring out what happened to that item might be the key to ending him.

I’ve been getting a lot of murderous looks since the last presentation meeting in The Tomb, and a few surprisingly friendly ones. Getting that last challenge alert sent me into a bit of a panic attack. It had two different challenges and three locations. I thought it was a joke when I saw Palm Springs was one of them. I wasn’t planning to go, but Wolfe’s reminder that I wouldn’t be alone helped calm my nerves.

The first assignments were typical league challenges. Retrieve something from someone or some place and take it to the Palm Springs delivery location. I thought it was stupid to select the harbor club where a second year prospect’s bachelor party was happening as the drop off location for our challenge items, but it worked out pretty good for me in the long run.

As I was leaving my drop off location, I received a final alert which instructed me to present the league with an item of my choosing that showed I deserved to keep my spot in the ranks. I watched as the collection of challenge items were carried down the pier and onto the yacht. I’m pretty sure there are supposed to be protocols in place to keep those things protected but, the courier must’ve been trying to multitask.

He was smart enough to lock them in a safe, and the party gave me a chance to snoop around the boat unnoticed. The fight kicked off as I was leaving. It was like an episode of drunk frat boys gone wild. Easily the most entertaining shit I’ve seen in a while.

Finn’s beanie was easy to pick out in the middle of the madness and Finn being Finn, things got bloody. He dropped his blades as soon as the pier became a disco ball of red and blue. I swiped his knives up and made a hasty retreat with the other hysterically screaming girls. I planned to keep them for myself, but I think presenting them to the high council made more of a statement.

They’ve labeled me disloyal, but out of everyone on that party boat,I’mthe one who protected their precious Trium member.

Finn

Good Morning, my sexy little thief

I roll my eyes at his greeting.

You were right. I haven’t shown the proper level of appreciation for all you’ve done for me. I should have told you days ago that I’m still sporting a woody from that special reveal.

Not my problem.

Oh, but it is. And you need to fix it.

Rub one out. All fixed.

My thoughts exactly. I’m at the dorm. Dick ready.

I’m not coming to the dorm to jack you off, Finn

Then come here so I can get you off.

Pass.

I have a thank you gift.

He sends a picture of a beautiful set of throwing stars. He’s not playing fair. The jerk knows the way to my heart is through sharp objects.

This better not be a scam and all you have is the picture.

Not a scam, Pet. These pretties are all packaged in a bow waiting for you to take them to their new home.

Fine. I’ll come by after my last class

Chapter 89

Holden

Iwatch as Thea leaves the table, dumping her half eaten tray of food in the trash. I’m on my feet, following behind her, ignoring the curious looks I get from Pax. I haven’t followed Thea in a few days. I’ve got some free time on my hands right now. My steps are silent as I trail her through campus, and through the brush behind the old groundskeepers’ shack, continuing a few miles to a torn down cathedral. She ducks inside the crumbled doorway and I inch closer, listening for footsteps.

“Did anyone follow you?” She asks.

“No.” The person she’s meeting answers. “I did exactly what you said, and I wasn’t followed.”

“Good. I really appreciate this. Thank you.”

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