Page 72 of The Honor Society

“Until death do us part.” I whisper under my breath.

“What was that?”

“I’m sure.”

It’s time I enter into the game, it’s time I go by the rules. I can only hope that he trusts me enough to know every move I make on this board—is for him. If he doesn’t, then I’m dead, if he doesn’t then quite possibly both of us will be walking into our funerals.

21

23 Hours Until The Convocation

AXEL

“Yeah?” I answer on the second ring. I stare into the whiskey I just poured and see my pained expression in the mug.

“She asked.” Comes Jude’s voice.

“Did you give them to her?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Conquest. You’ve done well.”

“Axel, I think⁠—”

“—Don’t. Let me do the thinking. From here on out. There is only one thought, Convocation. The rest doesn’t matter.”

“Understood.”

I end the call and I toss back the entire two shots of whiskey and stare at the wall. The lock to the door clicks open. “I’m back.”

I stare down at the obsidian knife in front of me. “How was it?”

“Uneventful.” She comes around the chair and kisses me on the cheek.

I paste a smile on my face. Game. Set. Match. “Good to know.”

“I’m going to take a shower, wanna join?”

I stare at the knife, then up at her, then at the knife. A few more hours before certain death? Sure. Why not. I stand up and hold out my hand. “Let’s spend what time we have until the meeting disappearing into each other.”

Tears fill her eyes. I don’t read it to it. Is it because she knows I’m going to kill her in eighteen hours? Or is it because she plans to kill me?

I guess time is all we have left.

And death, will be the final call.

22

Convocation Day

AXEL

There are rituals for burying the dead.

Wash the body.

Dress it.