She’s hanging them with their own rope, watching and waiting for them to do what they do best and using that as ammunition to destroy them.
For twenty years the students had been collecting this dirt on their parents, storing it away for when it might be advantageous to them. Even though they hadn’t known the depth of the Eldritch Club’s deception, they’d been taught from a young age how vital it was to wield power over others. After all, the rotten apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Now they came to us in droves, handing over their families’ dirty laundry for Zehra to air in the public eye. In the final week of classes, Zehra took down three more parents, sending their fortunes into freefall. We gave them no choice but to obey our summons.
“Your sister is something else,” I said to Ayaz after I finished relaying Zehra’s latest conquest. He trailed his hands across my shoulders – his fingertips stained with paint and ink. He’d spent every spare moment he wasn’t studying creating a beautiful graduation poster, which we’d sent out to all the parents as an invitation.
He beamed that rare and beautiful smile of his. “She is. And so are you.”
* * *
The first message came. An envelope, delivered by a terrified driver into Ms. West’s talons. She read the four words it contained and passed it to me.
What do you want?
Instead of writing a reply, I folded one of Ayaz’s graduation flyers and placed it in the envelope for the poor sod to take back to his master.
More messages came, although never in person. Letters delivered by fear-stricken staff. Recordings on old cassette tapes played through the school PA system for everyone to hear. Desperate parents seeking answers. Where had their fortunes disappeared to? What could they do to ensure they wouldn’t be next?
The answer was always the same.Come to graduation.
Meanwhile, I worked my old contacts, trying to source all the documents the students needed to be free. I must’ve had the entire Philly criminal underground on my payroll.
On the last Wednesday of classes, while I studied in the library with Ayaz, my phone beeped. My contact had come through with the passports. We just needed to make the exchange.
We waited until class finished on Friday to make the trip. Greg wanted to come too, but I knew he’d stick out too much. At least I could dress the Kings up like gangsters, but where we were going Greg would have a fist in his face as soon as he stepped out of the car. He agreed to stay behind, as long as he and Loretta could walk with us down to Arkham, where we’d be borrowing Deborah’s car (it was much less conspicuous than Trey’s Porsche).
“I’d really like to meet your aunt,” Greg beamed.
My aunt.I still wasn’t used to the idea that I was related to Deborah. My family legacy already weighed heavy on me. It was like Courtney had said, family was forged in fire and blood, and Deborah and I were still in the process of that forging.
We took our normal route down the mountain – Trey walking in front carrying the sigil, Quinn and Ayaz flanking me, eyes darting across the trees, hunting for any danger. Greg and Loretta behind us, their bows slung over their shoulders. Under Greg’s tutelage, Loretta had become an unnervingly accurate archer. She said she found it calming, but I think she just liked the powerful feeling of holding a weapon in her hands.
Because we’re the murderers.
We circled around the town and emerged at the rear of the motel block. I texted Deborah that we were there, and she ushered us inside, shutting the door behind her.
“I’m sorry for the security,” she said. “It might just be my overactive imagination, but I feel as though I’m being watched.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “Have you seen anything unusual?”
“It’s probably nothing, more a feeling than anything else. Roger has been a bit more alert than usual, but there are lots of exciting new smells so that could be nothing. Please, help yourself to snacks.”
Greg and Loretta set down their bows and plowed into the snacks. The dogs jumped on Trey, throwing him to the ground and attacking him with rough tongues. Quinn dived in, rubbing stomachs and scratching behind ears. Ayaz hovered in the doorway, uncertain.
“This is Ayaz.” I waved him in.
Deborah rushed over and clasped his hands in hers. “Welcome, Ayaz. Hazel’s told me very little about you, but that’s her way. I understand you had some amnesia.”
He nodded. “The headmistress did something to me that wrote over my thoughts. I remember these things about Hazel that aren’t true. I can feel reality lurking behind the lies, but I can’t reach it. Ms. West says I never will.”
Deborah went over to her purse and pulled out a small container of pills. “These are currently being developed by the people who create drugs for Alzheimer’s patients. They’re not technically legal right now, but I know people and I figure it can’t hurt an Edimmu… take one of these twice a day with food… oh, actually, I suppose you don’t need the food. They might help you recover your memories.”
“Thank you.” Ayaz looked genuinely floored as he stared at the bottle. When he looked up at Deborah, his dark eyes revealed deep gratitude. “For this gift, and for everything you’ve done for us.”
The softness in his voice, the way Deborah had managed to bring all my Kings to her with kindness… for the first time, I saw a glimmer of what the future might be like for my Kings, and it wasn’t all broken hearts and betrayal. When I was gone, she’d still be here for them. She’ll give them everything they never had from their families, and her connection to me will ensure they’d protect her with their lives.
Even without me, they’ll be a family.
