“I can’t talk to you if you’re being so vague.”
“You’re right. Yes, I am a part of The Society, but I never officially joined. My adoptive father was an important member, and the decision had been made for me when I was very young.” He hesitated before adding, “The decision had been made for my brother as well—my adopted brother. Father has… acquired us—for lack of a better term—at the same time.”
I quickly connected the dots. “Is The Director your adopted brother?”
“He is. Thomas is a wonderful man in a complicated situation.”
“Your brother is anything but wonderful, and you know it.”
He smiled tightly, a flash of anger in the cracks of his smile. I wanted him angry, to drop this act of politeness and self-control that I’d once admired. His guarded composure was an insult to my rage.
“Why is your brother The Director and not you?” I asked.
“Our father held that position before him, and he wanted a legacy. Such a position has been more important decades ago, before porn was easily accessible at video stores.”
“Then why do you still need it?”
“We don’t, if you ask me, but my opinion doesn’t matter. Old societies have their traditions, and those outlive logic.”
“Bo said there are more people like me here. Did you betray them too?”
My words didn’t seem to affect him. “I had something to do with a few of them, yes.”
Did you also take them to the cliff to look at the ocean? Did you speak with them for hours on the phone, take them to plays, invite them to your house, and then kiss them?
I pinched my thigh to regain focus. “The Director said he didn’t want me here, that I wasn’t right for this, but you insisted.” I held his gaze, daring him to look away.“Why?”
He leaned on the table. “I spent most of my life with The Society, Jonah, aware of their horrific acts. A child should not hear screams echoing through the hallways of his home. When I grew older, I knew I had to leave, but my wish created a problem. You see, my brother and I were a precedent, an anomaly. We never chose to join The Society and never possessed power or influence that could benefit its members. We were the adopted children of an important man, and we knew too much to be set free once he passed away.” He picked up the teacup and took a sip, his fingers slightly trembling. I felt an unwelcome urge to pity him, but I refused to fall into another trap.
“The High Council offered my brother to replace our father as The Director, and they made it clear he had little choice in the matter.”
“The High Council?”
“They are the ones pulling the strings. The original five members of the High Council founded The Society almost a century ago. They hold the right to choose who will take their place when they are unable to continue their work. After they made my brother The Director, it still left me—the other anomaly. They offered me a type of freedom—for a price. Everything worthy always has a price, and nothing felt more worthy to me than freedom.”
My rage grew hotter. Here I was, without my freedom, thanks tohisactions. I bit the inside of my cheek, waiting for him to continue.
“I was ordered to provide The Society with men in exchange for my freedom.”
I wet my dry lips. “How many?”
“One or two a year. The methods didn’t matter to them. You can hate me, but I was faced with an impossible choice, and I made my decision. What I didn’t expect was the constant pain of being away from my brother. Unlike me, he isn’t allowed to leave the estate whenever he wants, and life can be painfully lonely around here.” He smiled sadly, as if remembering something. “He wasn’t always so… cold. But one cannot uphold his duties in this role without paying a toll. I know he’s happy for me, but he also resents me for leaving, and I can’t blame him for that.”
“Is that why I’m here? To replace you?”
He raised his hand to touch my cheek, but I slapped it away. “I asked you a question.”
He leaned back. “Yes, Jonah. That’s why you are here.”
“Well, your sick plan clearly didn’t work, unless your brother also hasn’t spoken with you at all.”
Eliot frowned. “He doesn’t speak with you?”
“No! I only ever speak with fucking Bo—who’s a rapist—but I’m sure you knew that!” I jumped to my feet, causing the chair to fall backward. I paced around with my fists clenched, needing to break something, needing to tear something apart. “You don’t… you don’t have the right to give me as a gift to your sick brother! You don’t have the right to kidnap people!”
“Jonah, please calm down.”
“The police must be looking for me.” I glared at him. “I can’t wait for you to rot in prison.”
