Page 166 of Heartless Legacy

“Seriously. How do you feel about all of this? Is it too much?”

I pause before answering, trying to work out what she’s really asking me. Do I think she’s taken on too much by still doing regular league challenges while simultaneously trying to steal clues about a challenge she shouldn’t know exists, and going to school? Or do I think her being shadowed by mercenaries is too much?

“It is. Isn’t it?” She rambles on. “I know it’s selfish of me to expect you to go along with all of this, even though you made it clear at the compound that you thought it was a bad idea. But I don’t know how I’d do it without at least one person knowing what I’m up to.”

“Thea, I don’t like that your doing this puts you in such close proximity to Malcolm and anyone else he may be colluding with; and from what I can tell, this bloodline challenge has no rules, which means the prospects will probably start making them up as they go along.”

Squinting at me, she asks, “So, you think I should let it go?”

“I think you shouldn’t be doing this alone.”

“This is an individual competition. There’s only one bloodline slot, unless an opening comes up with the other three.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “That’s how we got here to begin with.” Actually…

“What torture are you planning for your class?”

“None.”

“Yes, you are. You’ve got that look you get when you’re plotting how to make people puke.”

“What I’m thinking might make you nauseous, but it’s not exercise related.”

She pulls away, reclaiming her seat on the couch. “Go on.”

“You could let The Trium help with the bloodline challenges at least for a little while.”

“Nah, ah. Not happening.” She says, immediately dismissing the idea. “Pax will fuck me over before I even get to the first clue.”

“Then don’t tell Pax. You were planning to use Wade Bishop to get close to his father. Channel that same honey pot energy into getting the guys who are already gluttons for punishment into helping you get what you want.”

She gnaws on her bottom lip, staring up at the ceiling as she thinks it over. Thea’s playing it safe with Finn and Holden, and they’ve chosen to pretend that their relationship isn’t one-sided. Letting them help comes with risks of its own, but I’d feel a lot better if someone was watching her back. Delta Team and I can only do so much, since we lose access to her in The Tomb, and have to monitor her remotely when she’s on challenges.

“Just think about it.” I say, as I get up from the couch. “I’m sure if you do, you’ll figure out a way to use them to your advantage.”

Chapter 95

Holden

Finn lets himself into my room and stomps over to the fridge. “Everything alright?” I ask, as he helps himself to a drink.

“Hell, no. That challenge was a bust. I spent three hours with those idiots and didn’t find anything.”

I admit, “I’m not sure if we found our item, either. The fourth years think we did, but to me, it felt too easy.”

He snorts. “I wish I had easy. There was just a big ole, nothing.” Coming back into the living room, he asks, “Who’s hanging onto whatever you found?”

“I don’t know. I left while they were celebrating their win.” I walk to my computer room and wake up my computer. When he joins me, I ask, “What do you know about Gregory Lloyd?”

“Nothing much. He’s one of those middle of the road types. Not doing much to be seen or forgotten. Why do you ask?”

“He was on my team and saw something that spooked him. I was just wondering if you’d ever heard anything about his family history.”

Finn pulls up a chair, removes his beanie, and says, “I don’t remember ever talking to him personally, but if I did, it would be on one of my recordings. “

“What recordings?”

“Of the conversations I’ve had or heard over the years. I send everything to my secure server.”

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