Page 162 of Heartless Legacy

“It was probably Eloise and her lackeys, or someone whose stuff she took, or that idiot councilman in retaliation for me cutting off his friend’s fingers.” I tick off suspect after suspect, finally conceding, “The list is longer than I thought.”

Holden says, “We’ll start with who each of us told about our plans.”

“That’s a much shorter list than the first one. I talked to you about it, and I told my parents and Pax that I was heading out of town to see the USS Constitution.”

Holden nods. “Same. I talked to you and said I was going to a tech conference in Florida.”

I look up from where I’m carving the outline of a heart into the table. “If I didn’t tell anyone about the hospital and you didn’t either, how did they find out about it?”

He says, “Someone else must’ve been looking into it too. Or maybe I triggered some kind of alert when I was digging through the website.”

“Or when we were actually in the building. We assumed no one saw us, but maybe they did and found the link between Hailee and Thea. This could be the first step in an elaborate blackmail scheme for the breaking and entering.”

“It’s been a week.” He says, “Shouldn’t we be targeted too?”

We should. We have way more to offer payout wise than Thea. Our brainstorming session is halted by the sound that used to bring me such giddy excitement.

“Meeting?” Holden asks, not bothering to check his buzzing phone.

“We’re to report to the Avery Estate in two hours.”

“Good Evening. Welcome to the Avery Estate. Please retrieve your name card and go to the room indicated.” Kristoff Johns instructs as we enter the foyer. “We will begin in fifteen minutes.”

My card sends me to the smoking room which is already occupied by four fourth years, and two third years. Arriving after me is another second and third year.

Five minutes later, a league member enters the room, and says, “Prospects, welcome to tonight’s test. League members are called upon to sit on committees to help keep our organization running smoothly. These are generally volunteer positions, though sometimes a member is assigned a committee as a part of a punitive action for an infraction. This group represents the research committee. You’ve been chosen for this committee based on the interests you listed on your league application. You have ten minutes to select a committee chairperson and come up with the rules for the management of your group for today’s task. A bell will chime, signaling the end of your ten minutes. At that time, return to the foyer, retrieve the group name card and go to the address indicated. There, you will receive the final piece of the challenge.”

It was a waste of ten minutes, sitting around arguing about who to put in charge of our group. Based on seniority, the fourth years claimed that role for themselves, finally settling on the pre-law student to be the figurehead.

A bell chimes through the speaker on the wall and our leader is the first one out the door, followed by the other three. The third years, elbow by me, next. The guy in my year group and I share a look. We’re all going to the same place, so it’s a waste of time establishing a pecking order.

I follow the group outside and climb into the vehicle provided for us, as leader extraordinaire rattles off the coordinates to the driver. I sit in silence as we cruise through the streets, wondering if Holden’s and Pax’s groups are less annoying than this one. Holden won’t be in charge of his group, either. That would mean talking, and the number of people who have earned the privilege of hearing him do that is still small enough to count on two hands.

Pax might stand there in his overbearing way demanding to be recognized, but if the group make up is like mine, the fourth years won’t be taking orders from him either. It’s just the way these things go in The League. Positional authority and seniority outrank us every time.

I watch the trees and scenery out the window, committing landmarks to mind just in case this is a dump off and we have to walk back to the starting point. The car pulls over in downtown Canyon Falls near the Brinkmeyer Theater. I push out of the car first, wiping my hands against my thighs as I stare at the two story building. Pre-law is strolling up the steps before I’ve finished studying the intricately carved swirls along the awning.

He’s gonna be a nightmare to protect if he keeps pushing his way to the front like this. Is this how he approaches all challenges? Just charges forward without looking around and assessing for threats?

I turn, taking in the buildings across the street, and scan each corner. We’re out here alone. Where were the other groups sent? I make my way up the stairs, dragging the heavy doors open and step into the lobby just as a first year prospect walks up to the group. As I take the stairs up to the mezzanine to get a better look, I hear him say; he was dropped off here and is a late edition to the group.

The stage is lit with one spotlight. A vanity table sits in the middle of it. From here, I can make out that there’s a card on it. The team is down there arguing over whatever it says. I catch maybe every other word, but I hear enough to know there’s something of value here in the theater and we have to find it.

If you ask me, everything in this place can be considered valuable. The theater’s been here for as long as the town has. It’s filled with that historical richness Thea’s always talking about.

I head back down to the first floor and wait by the door for the rest of the group, so I can read the card for myself. We mightbe working together, but it’s still a challenge and individual points still matter. I’m not going to let them jeopardize mine. I’ve been doing that just fine on my own. How many points have I lost by losing the last few challenges?

“Where have you been?” One of the third years snaps at me.

I simply arch a brow at the hostility in his voice. Not being in charge of thiscommitteedoesn’t mean I answer to any of them. “Can I see the card?”

The person holding it shoves it into my outstretched hand. Smart man.

Find what is hidden for more to be revealed.

No wonder they were down here looking confused. “Any ideas?” The second year asks me.

“We don’t need his ideas.” Our leader says. “I already told you what the plan is.”

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