Page 133 of Eternal

“Because they don’t have to.” Shane chuckles from the front row.

“Why not?” I challenge him.

His smile falls as he watches me. “Because they have the power?”

“Is that a question or an answer?”

“An answer.” But he doesn’t sound sure.

Humming, I nod. “Power is a funny thing. Some people think money gives you power. Some think it’s reputation. The members who graduate from Sigma House think that just because they survived the marks on their flesh, they’re entitled to it. But instead of keeping to the vows on the wall behind me and protecting their brothers, they forget. They start to turn on each other. They use it for war, and they use us to do it. But do you know where the real power lies?”

Shane shakes his head.

“In information.” I glance over at Alex, who is watching Kole type something into his phone. “What’s done in these walls is meant to make us stronger. We learn everything about each other in a vow to protect our brothers by any means necessary. But we’re only unbreakable if we stand as one. It’s time we honor that.”

“You’re talking about a mutiny,” Jase speaks up this time.

“I’m talking about taking back what’s rightfully ours since they no longer value it.” I narrow my eyes. “I’m talking transparency. No more secrets.”

The sound of phones chirping rings out through the room.

“Take a look.” I tip my chin, and one by one, they pull their phones out.

I watch as each of them reads through the information Kole sent, which is just a taste of what Alex found in the official Sigma House records stored in the basement of Montgomery Psychiatric Ward.

“What is this?” Jase’s face is bright red when he looks back up at me.

“Just a few of the records the Council has been keeping on us.”

“But it’s—”

“All your dirty little secrets.” I smirk. “Trials. Vacations. Texts. Sexual preferences. They’re always watching whether they say they are or not. And do you know what they’ll do with that information?”

Most of the men are looking at me, while a few are still staring at their phones.

“Anything they want,” I answer my own question. “Whatever you think you’ll be owed here means nothing to them because they hide behind the name of the House without actually respecting it.”

“And what, you want to save us?” Trent asks from the back.

I smirk, standing. “Savingimplies redemption. There is no redemption between these walls. No good deeds. No gods, and no penance. I don’t want to redeem anything. This is revenge.”

I start to circle the table, walking until I’m facing the room, with the table behind me.

“The Council abused their brothers. They abused their roles. The words behind me speak about loyalty, and they are a disgrace to that word. But no more. Judgment is here.”

“And you expect them to fall in line? They’re the Council,” Jase argues.

“They were.” I cross my arms over my chest. “We’re the Council now.”

Whispers start again.

“They’ll bury you for just thinking that, much less saying it out loud.” Jase shakes his head, protective over his own father’s position if I had to guess. “You’re suggesting we start a war.”

“I’m informing you that we already have.” I glance back at Kole and nod, silently instructing him to send the second wave of information.

Once again, pings ring out, and everyone looks at their phones.

“Simon Blackthorn, Council member, funneling Sigma Sin funds to fund his failing medical practice. Weston Randolph, former Council member, using a Sigma Sin property in Seattle to produce and distribute snuff films.” I clench my hands into fists, wishing I could have taken more time with Weston, knowing the extent of what hedid to Teal wasn’t even the end of it. “The information is right there in front of you, and that’s only a small fraction of it. There’s a long list of members who are disrespecting the marks carved into them, benefiting in the name of Sigma Sin while threatening the House’s reputation and financial stability to do it. If we’re held to these standards, they should be too. They will either respect the House or face the same judgment we do. The war isn’t beginning. It’s already started. Two down and more will follow.”

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