Page 53 of The Honor Society

Fifteen minutes later and I’m staring across the room at a very pissed off Rhodes. I smirk. “Nice suit.”

He flips me off.

“Classy too.” I scoot a glass of wine towards him. “The plans keep changing and apparently in order to keep you alive I’m going to need you to enter the game.”

“And to think this morning I thought to myself how bored I was.” He takes a sip and sets the glass down. “It’s a joke, Proctor, God you need a vacation or a nice solid fuck.”

At that, Charlie jerks awake and looks over at both of us. Me in my mask, Rhodes in his suit, Jenner in a black-wife beater downing his third glass of wine and playing Solitaire on his phone.

I’m sure it looks odd.

A knock sounds at the door.

Jenner quietly walks over and opens it. And in strolls Jude. “Well this is a depressing party.” His eyes scan the room and fall to Charlie. “Axel would kill you.”

Her cheeks flame pink. “Leave him out of this. I’m keeping him safe the only way I know how.”

“By sleeping with a serial killer?” He points at me. “No offense, Proctor, but damn it, Charlie, do you even—” then his eyes fall to Rhodes. “I’m not going to like this meeting am I?”

“Change of plans.” I stand and pop my neck. “As of today everyone goes into lockdown, everyone but Lilah.”

“Fuck no!” Jude yells. “I did this to protect Lilah!”

“Trust me when I say, the only way to actually protect her, is to leave her alone. In a similar manner of what I asked Charlie to do. She was brave enough to cut some apron strings, trust me she’ll be well protected.” I sneer.

“If you think I’m letting her anywhere near you!” He rushes me. These are the times I wish this one secret didn’t hang heavy between us. “You’re an even dumber⁠—”

Jenner has a knife to his throat before he can move another inch. “Did you want to finish or did you want to keep your voice box intact? I collect them for my mantle and loathe odd numbers.”

He holds up his hands. “Sorry.”

“Such a temper, Conquest.” Rhodes says from his chair. “Just like your father.”

He physically recoils. “Calling it that is an insult to the word.”

“Bravo.” Rhodes stands and clasps a hand on his shoulder. “With you taking over we shouldn’t have a problem. Remember where your vote lies, I kind of want to keep my head and this job if you don’t mind.”

“What’s so great about it?” I think Jude is genuinely asking.

“Access, money, power, secrets,” Rhodes shrugs. “The world at your fingertips, so not much I guess. I think I prefer accounting, you?”

“Massage therapy.” He clips.

“Hilarious.” He says. “Alright so what’s your little plan, Proctor? I don’t want to be late for the fireworks.”

“You hate loud noises.” I point out.

He flinches. “I wear earplugs, get there faster.”

He hates being called out on a weakness, I’ve embarrassed him, on purpose. “Whoever’s watching will want to know why Lilah’s unprotected. Putting her at Conquest’s side makes her suspicious and we need him focused. He can’t guard her and protect himself, he’s like a baby giraffe at this point, still learning the ropes, one false move and she dies or he dies or they both die.”

Jude raises his hand. “Can we stop saying die? Please?”

“And your solution?” Rhodes takes a long draw of wine, I wait until it’s in his mouth.

“You.” He chokes. “Just got a brand-new best friend and plus one that gets to go to every event. The Chancellor is forbidden to form any romantic alliance with any recognized Horseman, they’ll be curious enough to get close which you take note of, but they won’t touch her assuming she’s clean.”

“Death is Lilah?” Charlie guesses. And says nothing afterwards. She’s cluing in, she’s getting better, and while we never came out and said it, she put two and two together. I can see her wheels turning.