I almost fold intomyself when the door closes behind Callum, but I manage to hold myself upright, clutching to the edge of a chair so tightly it hurts. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do in this moment, but I know I can’t do nothing.
I fling open the door to my room, fighting my instincts to follow Callum and instead heading the opposite direction, toward Harold’s office. Maybe there’s still time to talk some sense into him. Maybe I can get through to him and stop this whole nightmare before it truly starts.
But his office is empty and a quick glance around the hallway reveals a heavy quiet that’s unusual for the club. For the first time, I wonder just how many of my colleagues, my friends, might be involved in this plan.
After another furtive glance around the corridor, I pull a pin from my hair and slide it into the lock. I would feel guilty, but Harold was the one who taught me to pick locks in the first place.
I slip into his office and shut the door behind me quietly.
I don’t even know what I’m looking for, but I know there must be something here. Something that might give me some kind of hint as to what Lady M’s plan is, really.
I go for the ledgers first. The truth revealed in the numbers is bleak. The club really was on the brink of closure. If it hadn’t been for the influx of funds coming from Lady M, La Puissance would’ve had to shut its doors months ago. I try to be grateful for this reprieve she’s bought us, but I can’t find it in me.
I put the ledger back in the exact spot I found it and open the bottom drawer of Harold’s desk. A paper on top of a stack catches my eye. My contract. And Andra’s right below it.
I remove the pile and sort through them. Various contracts for all the members of La Puissance, the sums ranging from manageable to exorbitant. It isn’t until my second time flipping through the papers that I notice the pattern. Not all of us have a contract. Only those of us with Gifts. Me, Andra, Bianca, Tes, Meri, Rosa, Helen, and three others who just arrived at the club in recent weeks.
Lady M doesn’t care about the club. She cares about us, the Gifted, claiming ownership over us, and by extension, our talents.
“What is she doing?” I mutter to myself.
Lady M is up to something that has nothing to do with the finances of La Puissance. But what is she doing? And why?
A sound from the hallway startles me out of my stupor. I gently place the papers back in the drawer and close it softly. I tiptoe to the door and press my ear to the wood. When I don’t hear any further noises, I crack the door and peek into the hallway. It’s clear, so I dart through, locking up behind me.
My eyes roam over the empty hallway and a chill creeps through my veins. It’s still quiet. Too quiet. Even in the off hours, the club is full of people and chatter and laughter. The silence is so thick it’s foreboding.
I jog down the corridor, past my room, searching for any sign of life, but I don’t find any. No one is here. Which means they are likely all together. With Harold. On their way to kill a king.
A king Callum is also planning to kill.
I head back to the main staircase. I don’t know who I’m going to warn, who I’m going to save, I only know that I need to be there.
I get to the front door, my hand wrapped around the handle, when I’m grabbed from behind. Reacting immediately, I kick out at my attacker, but another pair of arms latches around me, keeping me still.
It’s two of Lady M’s guards. I guess the club wasn’t so empty, after all.
They carry me back up the stairs to my room.
“Put me down,” I insist repeatedly, fighting uselessly against their hold on me. Their arms are banded so tightly around my chest, pinning my arms in place. I attempt to reach for the dagger at my thigh, but it’s not there.
They ignore my cries, carrying me as though I’m nothing. I might as well be at this point.
One of them opens the door to my room while the other practically tosses me inside. The door slams and I’m reaching for the doorknob when I hear the lock click. Tugging futilely, I pound my fists against the wood, shouting for them to release me at once. But of course no one can hear my cries for help.
I’m trapped.
To all concerned parties,
We must come to a decision about the election. We all know who needs to be chosen as Avon’s first leader; now it is up to us to figure out how to make that happen without raising the suspicion of the people. Many provinces are thirsting for violent retribution, but we must make sure we stay in control and give the heirs the greatest chance of moving forward. We will meet tomorrow to discuss your possible solutions.
In solidarity,
August Sotello
20
Callum
