Page 16 of The Honor Society

Is lying.

5

Eighteen Days Until The Convocation

AXEL

THE HONOR SOCIETY LEDGER

House: Calloway

Seat: WAR

Debt Owed: Blood for blood.

Heir: Disputed.

Claim: Unrecognized.

Protection: Invoked.

Collection Status: Pending.

Note: War does not surrender what belongs to War.

Ihurt.

I say nothing. I just acknowledge that I’m in severe pain despite healing up just fine. It’s like the inside of my body wants to continuously remind me that I nearly died and the person I’m still in love with is responsible. Each footstep burns across the right side of my stomach up to my shoulder.

Missed my ass. Just because she missed doesn’t mean it tickles.

I nod towards Jenner and check my watch. The text from Rhodes came in early this morning, his intel, debt owed, never collected. It’s not like I missed it on purpose, I was too busy dying in the hospital to pay the man a visit and since I’m dodging calls from Rhodes like it’s my job, I slacked a bit.

Jenner knocks on the museum door. A courtesy, kind of like firing a warning shot to say ‘look, we’re coming no matter what you do, if you want a head start go for it, but we will take you down, try not to shit your pants’.

I nod.

He knocks again.

Nothing.

I sigh. “Thought Calloways weren’t pussies but here we are.” I cross my arms. “Isn’t this one a supposed heir to the family?”

“Who knows these days.” Jenner kicks open the door.

“Could have been unlocked you know.” I say.

“I’m aware. I just hate all Calloways and figured a broken door would piss them off, I like to leave my mark.”

“Family drama.” I grin. “Look at you go.”

“Don’t remind me, boss.” He stepped aside. “After you.”

“So polite.” I grin and tug at my leather gloves. “Dan, I know you’re lurking in here somewhere, I just wanna talk.” Lie. “Come out, come out wherever you are.” I sing song, my mask in place. I walk through the empty natural museum and make my way to the back offices. Only one door is open, it says management and there’s a cup of coffee still steaming on the desk. So he ran. Or he hid.

I peer into the coffee mug and scowl, there’s enough creamer to call the entire thing hot milk, not coffee, did he even add any? I sniff it. Coward and a pussy. I shove it aside and tap the mouse on the laptop. No password, and all the files on the desktop have been wiped, I lean in. There’s a spot of blood on the screen.

Not fresh.