Page 80 of Heartless Legacy

“As a high council member, shouldn’t you be telling me I’m safe and have nothing to worry about? Reassuring me and building trust within The League?”

“What kind of trust can I build by lying to you? Especially when we’d both know any assurances I gave you would be a lie? The whole purpose of the challenges are to weed out the weakest prospects. We intentionally pit you all against each other. While we ask for loyalty and an oath, and expect each member to put us above everyone and everything else outside of our organization, that’s not exactly how we handle recruitment, now is it?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“That trust, that loyalty. That’s created through the connections you make. If you have none, then everyone is a threat. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I would.”

“And even those who have forged alliances often find themselves cast aside when new opportunities arise, or when there’s a chance to make a grab for power. Knowing who to trust and when is a delicate balance of relying on the facts laid out before you, behavioral observation, and intuition. Youappear to be a smart girl and I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending otherwise. I won’t encourage you to do what I wouldn’t do myself. In this case, I won’t suggest you offer blind trust to anyone. That does not mean that others won’t make that suggestion.”

“With that logic, then I shouldn’t even trust what you’ve said in this conversation, because you could be setting me up to be suspicious of everyone, when trusting someone could be a part of my prospect tasks.”

His expression never falters. Never changes, as he plucks his cane off the table, and says, “Your analysis would be correct.”

He walks away without saying goodbye, leaving me a little confused about the purpose of our talk. If I’m being honest, I’m always a little confused about our talks, but I also like that he doesn’t talk down to me. I’ll take chatting with Papa Pax over the rest of the men in his family any day of the week.

Chapter 49

Pax

Things are so much different as a second year prospect. I had no idea how many additional meetings we’d be required to attend. In retrospect, I guess it makes sense that once you advance from a first year, that you’d meet outside of the regular chamber sessions. It also explains the night I came here when they were putting Thea through an in-chamber challenge. Hadn’t I thought that the alert only went out to certain people?

The chamber is full, even without the presence of the first year prospects. I didn’t bother to check if the overflow rooms are in use, but I think it’s safe to assume they are. The meeting is quickly called to order and unresolved business from the last meeting brought to a vote. Out of the five motions, three are voted on, the other two will be routed up to the next council level.

For current business, we’re told how lackluster our performance has been this year for challenges, compared to other second-year prospects since the inception of the organization. I find it hard to believe that we’re that bad. The older half of the second years grumble, as if we newly promoted ones are solely responsible for bringing down the average.

Who knows? Maybe we are. We could all probably give a little extra effort. I zone in and out on the rest of what the ceremony master is saying. My attention returns to the front of the room when he asks for anyone who’s prepared to submit a companion application to come forward.

I stare dumbfounded as people approach the dais. Application? They get a choice? I try to remember if I’ve ever talked to a second year prospect about their companion matching. I don’t think I have. I assumed they all happened the same way. That our parents entered our names, and the league did the matching. But these guys aren’t being represented by their parents. They’re submitting applications, which I guess could be the same as submitting their name.

This way makes way more sense about how the league comes up with their matching criteria, so why are the parents required to submit the names for first year prospects, and the legacy students? I guess that’s an easy answer, too. The parents are in control and since most matches end in marriage, they’d want to make sure the matches worked out in their favor, as opposed to leaving it up to hormonal young men who might choose a tight ass and big tits over dividends.

The last person steps back into ranks and the ceremony master says, “All of your applications will be submitted and you will be notified at a later date of our decision. Just be aware that the matching pool will include candidates that were previously matched to other prospects. Regardless of previous match status, you will have ninety days to inform us of your intent to negotiate or reject your assigned companion for a permanent match.”

Previous companions. Thea falls into that category, but as a prospect, she’s ineligible to match because she’s at the bottom of the scoreboard. That’s the one complaint I’ve listened to from first year prospects who were interested in having a companion.

They hated that our scores were a determining factor in whether our parents could submit our names. How many points do I need to slip to get rid of Eloise, and how long does it take for that to happen?

I have to laugh at myself for the idiotic thought. There’s no way I can fall to the bottom fast enough to be rid of her before a new companion selection happens, and even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to match with Thea, because she’s already on the bottom of the board. I know this, yet, it doesn’t stop me from imagining how much easier things would be if I could.

Maybe I should figure out what Holden’s been doing. He’s going through companions so fast, there’s no sense in even bothering to learn their names.

Finn

I walked into chambers feeling bored and irritated. I walked out feeling more hopeful than I have, since before Thea came back. Second year prospects get to submit their names for companions and the list of candidates will include those who have already been companions. That means Thea.

“What are you thinking about?” Holden asks as we make our way up the hill on our walk to the parking lot.

“Companion selections.”

“And you’re smiling because?”

“Because I can submit my name.”

The look of disgust he gives me is on brand for him. He absolutely loathes this whole companion process. I don’t like it. Or I didn’t when I was forced to deal with Eloise. I can admit, I wasn’t ready when she and I were matched. I liked the idea, but I didn’t know what it would entail and what I wanted out of the arrangement. Now I do, and I know the type of girl that would be a better fit. I knowthegirl, that’s a perfect fit. “Thea’s name can be pulled for a match.”

“No, it can’t.” He says. “She’s at the bottom of the leaderboard.”

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