Page 133 of The Order

“And you, Xavier? Is there a reason a smile paints your face?” Adam questions, Xavier’s eyes widening as attention is drawn to him.

“It was a fleeting thought,” Xavier says, balancing his fork on the table, ignoring Adam’s glare.

“And what thought was that?” Adam questions. The defiance in Xavier’s eyes intensifies.

“Maybe our Commander doesn’t fancy your company too much,” Xavier says. Adam immediately scowls.

Like a fire alarm blaring in the middle of the night, the doorbell sounds off, piercing the growing tension in the dining room. Adam reluctantly excuses himself from the table.

Returning moments later, the Vega twins and their parents trail after him. Max wears an elaborate suit that catches my attention. It’s a standard celebration suit worn only by Officials.

“Was that comment necessary?” I question, turning toward Xavier, watching as he leans back in his chair. He gives Josh a wink, doing his best to get a rise out of him.

“No, but it was fun,” he says, his curls falling into his face, his body leaning forward. “And sometimes it makes me feel like I'm standing up for what’s right. Even if it’s just by being an asshole to one of them,” he finishes, a look of defeat washing over him for a brief moment.

Fallan continues to move around the room, my father glancing over at him every so often. Each time they lock eyes, my father looks away quickly. Regret and embarrassment are the only emotions he seems to express. I think of how he looked at Fallan’s mother that day in the hospital waiting room all that time ago and wondered how they knew each other.

There’s a connection between them, one that I've yet to figure out.

Max moves around the table, arms wide, ready to embrace me. I force a smile and push away from the table, feeling Xavier's fingers tug at the bottom of my dress so it doesn’t ride up when I stand. Max’s arms wrap around me, three’s alcohol on his breath. I slide into his outstretched arms, looking at Fallan over his shoulder, and find him cocking his head unhappily at the sight.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” Max whispers into my ear.

“I'm starting to have a real distaste towards all the blonde men in your life,”Fallan whispers in my mind, my mouth curving into a smile at how obvious his jealousy is

“Max, sit down,” Rae snaps, giving up on waiting for my brother to compliment her dress.

By some miracle, he listens, allowing me to sit back down. Xavier looks amused, eyeing me the whole way back to my seat.

“What is it now?” I question.

“I've never seen someone look so ready to punch another human being over a hug,” Xavier says, his eyes bright. “It almost makes me wonder if you put on an act with me too,” he teases. Fallan and I both grow tense.

I stay silent, playing his comment off with a laugh.

With everyone settled at the table, people begin eating, making their way through the many courses. The men talk about work, some even telling stories about their involvement in carrying out punishments across the Unfortunate sector. I listen as Adam stops a passing waiter and use him as models to show precisely where he’d delivered his “best hits” on an Unfortunate he’d found in violation of sector ordinances last week.

I finally decide I need a distraction and indulge in one of the glasses of champagne that’s gone untouched on the table, settling on breaking Adam’s neck another day. Xavier ignores the conversation, picking at his nail beds. As much as I’d like to speak to Fallan, Adam and Max are using him as their drink boy, demanding their glasses stay full, which is a daunting task.

“Forest," Mrs. Vega calls, pulling my attention away from Xavier’s hands. “I’m sure you've heard by now that Max is about to be inducted,” she says, my eyes shooting to my father.

Adam claps Max on the back. Josh chimes in his congratulations and offers to throw him a party.

“As an Official?” I question my father, but Adam is the one to answer.

“Xavier thought Max had the capabilities to join a bit earlier than most. Andrew and I agreed,” Adam says, my attention now on Xavier.

“I never told you-” Xavier begins, his mouth shutting as Adam raises his finger.

“If I recall, you were all for him joining us a few weeks ago. Don't change your opinion now based on the appeal of who you've gotten cozy with," Adam says. Fallan nearly drops the bottle of champagne he’s holding.

“Adam, that’s not appropriate,” my father says harshly. My mother clears her throat.

“Well, we are all very proud of him,” my mother says, touching Max's mother's hand. “He will make one fine Official.”

Kai laughs, his head pressed to the table in a drunken fit.

“Just another puppet,” he says quietly.

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