Our loyalty to each other was what made us different from those who had come before us. Above all else, we were a brotherhood. Sons second.
Brooks rubbed the back of his neck. “Enzo knows what he’s doing.”
“Nah.” Cedric shook his head. “This Fawn isn’t like his others.”
“True.” Brooks took a sip of Coke.
Needing to prove them wrong, I kept my tone even and steady as I said, “She’s a potential Fawn. That’s it.” I ran my hand over my face. When that didn’t relieve the mounting tension, I rested my head back on the cushion, trying to loosen the strain there, and shut my eyes.
They were right. Blair was different. But I wouldn’t admit that.
I’d never cared much about my Fawns. From my first year, I had known I’d never be one of those idiots who fell in love with theirs.
To me, Fawns only served as instruments.
To be used. Fucked. Controlled.
I didn’t need a Fawn to help with my restraint.
I just had them for my own entertainment and to fulfill my Son duty.
Brooks discarded his pizza crust in the box and propped his feet up. “The Elders brought me in for a meeting last night. They said I have to choose a Fawn for the year.”
“Same,” Emeri and Cedric said simultaneously.
We were all seniors, and the allure of having a Fawn had faded. The rules mandated that we choose one. Everyone was dragging their feet.
“Just say fuck it and choose Daphne,” Cedric told Brooks.
Brooks dropped his feet from the table, took a steady breath, and reached for the drawer beneath the table where he stored hisweed. A deep crease appeared on his forehead as he took out and unfolded his rolling papers.
“He’s right,” I added. “Pick her. She knows the rules and will pass.”
His eyes whipped to me, anger burning inside them. “I’d have to fuck her.”
“Youwantto fuck her.”
“My sister would hate me.”
“Adelina would get over it,” Nico added.
Brooks dropped the partially rolled joint and sank back onto the couch. “Like I’ve explained to you fucks before, my dad would lose his shit.” His gaze pinged to me again. “Would you make a Fawn of the woman whose father tried to assassinate yours?”
The thought of someone trying to assassinate my father made me want to throw my fist through the wall.
Several men had been stupid enough to try and failed.
Each one was dead now.
Served them right. Fucking idiots.
But I got where Brooks was coming from. Assassination attempts in my world weren’t out of the ordinary. They were in his.
Brooks went back to rolling his joint, and I knew we needed to change the subject. Initiations were long, and we needed to be focused today.
The seconds ticked agonizingly slowly.
Two hours later, I checked my watch again.
