Page 19 of The Honor Society

“Good pet.” He chuckles. “Try not to die then, I hate messes.”

I weave through traffic. “Have I ever told you how comforting our calls are? And you wonder why I don’t answer.”

Rhodes chuckles. “You’ve been off grid too long, Proctor. Welcome back to the chess board, try not to bloody it too much.”

“I’ll bloody it as much as I want.” I mutter. “And Rhodes…”

“Proctor?” He half growls.

“Keep your phone on.”

“I’m not the one that has trouble answering.”

“It’s a choice.” I say cheerfully.

“Goodbye Proctor, happy hunting.”

“Goodbye Chancellor, happy sitting.”

6

Seventeen Days Until The Convocation

Midnight

AXEL

Ipull up to the docks and cut the engine. This should be fun. My phone goes off, I assume it’s going to be Rhodes again or Jude even.

Instead it’s Charlie.

I stare down at the screen and something twists in my chest. Because the picture that stares up at me is one we took days before she shot me. Before I thought maybe, just maybe, after the Convocation I would walk away clean, ask Rhodes to replace me even though I know in order to replace me you kind of have to kill me.

I frown.

Wait a second.

Is that why Charlie shot me? Was she…trying to create a new Proctor?

No, no, that would mean she knows I am The Proctor and she doesn’t.

Shit, when did things get so complicated.

I click on the text.

Charlie

Hey, um, haven’t seen you since yesterday and just wanted to check in. I made chocolate chip cookies if you aren’t busy.

I curse. Trust. I wish I was eating cookies with her naked right now, shot or not shot, I still love her. I still crave her. I still want to touch her and tell her how beautiful she is, how clever, how damn tempting every single smile she has is.

I hate it.

I grip my phone and fire a text back.

Me

Cookies? Count me in. Might be in a bit late, keep your doors locked, I’ll shimmy up your drain pipe.