Page 43 of The Honor Society

“Try me.”

Rhodes pinches the bride of his nose. “You might be the most difficult Proctor The Honor Society has ever had, though I’ve only dealt with you and one other.”

“His skull then, would have been lovely for the fireplace.”

“It was crushed.” He grins like he’s still happy with the results of the death.

“You?”

“Jenner slipped.”

I lean back. “He does tend to do that.”

“That he does.” Rhodes taps his fingers against the glass. “So now, your little game is getting a bit accelerated.”

“That why you invited me for this refreshing conversation about Death.” I wave my hands around. “Otherwise, I’d be pounding Jude for information and trying to figure out what to do with Charlie.”

“Ah, finally you say it. The elephant in the room. Death.”

“It’s rather large. Rare. Hard to hunt. I have no leads. It’s the one faction I cannot factor into the final decision. They get to he or she first and it’s all over.”

“Good thing we’re friends.”

“We are? I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life. Do we get a secret handshake? Bracelets? God I would kill for a matching dinner jacket.”

He just stares. Possibly rethinking every life choice that led him to this room having to deal with me, but I don’t really care. Annoying him is up there with an orgasm, I would tell him but he hates blushing.

Rhodes tosses a folder onto the table. “I found Death.”

“What?” I take the folder. “May I ask how?”

“Let’s just say had I known about your skull idea I would have had volunteers.” He shrugs. “And leave it at that. Considering this effects both of us, I figured I should at least attempt to do my part, though you may regret knowing the truth.”

My stomach drops. I tap the folder against the table between us. “The suspense.”

“Enjoy, I know you like little puzzles. I made a bet with Jenner you’d figure it out in about two minutes.”

I snort. “And Jenner? What did he bet?”

“Thirty seconds.” Comes Jenner’s voice.

“Ah, you decided to join the party.”

“Fucking sad party if you ask me. Two bachelors talking about skulls, death, and drinking alone.”

“Well when he puts it that way when was the last time you got laid Rhodes?” I prod.

He shifts in his seat and turns away. “I’m celibate.”

I almost spit out my drink. “Sorry, what?”

“We’re friends, not married, I get to keep some secrets. Open the envelope jackass.”

Celibate. How does he live?

I shake my head and open the envelope. I ruffle through the documentation. Theres a family tree on the last page. It has a broken branch, no not broken, an offshoot. Interesting. A death, of course there was, and then the succession went to the only heir who was later adopted. I flip the page over into Conquest.

Without permission.