Page 48 of The Honor Society

“What note?” She lies smoothly.

I arch a brow even though she can’t see, I can’t help my amusement. “Right pocket, burning a hole, forcing the questions, followed by painful answers.” I hold out my hand and beckon with my fingers.

She sighs and then slaps the note against my glove, the warmth of her palm lingers on the leather. “I don’t trust people.”

“Good thing I’m not human.”

“I want to make this right. I can save him.”

I snort. “How cute.”

“You think I’m not strong enough?” Her nostrils flair like I’ve offended her and she’s seconds away from punching me in the throat.

I shake my head. “To assume he needs saving.” While she ponders that, I read the note, same script as before which means it’s probably the sitting hand at Death toying around. Not Edward. Not anyone but Death trying to get its final say. Trying to avoid elimination. Keep her out of it. Keep her asking questions. Confused. And then, kill, if necessary. They’ll want her vote or they’ll make false promises of truth and family and do what they always do.

Murder.

Everyone has a gift I guess.

I continue getting ready to leave and by the looks of it, she thinks she’s coming with. Good, let her follow. It’s best she discovers this all on her own. The board is after all, already in play, I just need to keep all the players alive long enough for the game to officially start. Fourteen days may as well be a lifetime at this point.

Charlie practically leaps away from me and hurriedly puts on her shoes, grabs a hat for who knows what reason, puts a zip up around her and snatches her purse.

“What,” I point. “Are you doing?”

“You, you said you’d show me where to look. I’m ready. Time’s wasting. Let’s go!” She’s bouncing from side to side like she’s ready to jump into the ring. It’s adorable. I want to say it out loud, sadly I can only think it right now. I smile behind my mask. It’s impossible to be angry with her.

“I told you I’d show you where to find Death, not that you’d have any chance of surviving the introduction in your current state of heartbreak and confusion. Take your shoes off.” I walk past her.

She grabs my elbow. “Bullshit, I’m ready! Try me!”

“I already have.” She asked me to take off my gloves. She suspects but denies it. She lets me get close enough to breathe her in. She’s smart. She’s cluing in.

I needed her to give me the note.

I needed to see if she’ll do it willingly.

And I need her curious enough to follow me.

I glance back and shove a hand against her forehead. “Stay.”

And then I leave, with her glare as the sendoff, and expletives as an added extra credit. I walk slowly, I want to make sure I hear them all, and then I get on the elevator and wait an extra five seconds before I take the path to my car, and when I’m there I glance at the front door.

Clever girl grabbed a scooter.

Hope she drives fast.

With a smirk, I get in the driver’s seat and call back. “How’s it feel to be a passenger princess, War?”

“Fucking weird.” Jenner snorts. “Hope you know what you’re doing, not that I’m questioning the great and wonderful Proctor, I just don’t think her following you on a scooter at a snail’s pace is going to do anything other than draw attention and—" he stops talking.

I smile through the rearview mirror. “You were saying?”

“You want someone to tail her tailing you?”

“I’m a genius.”

He stares at me, blinks, and then. “Sometimes I hate you I think more than Rhodes.”