Page 77 of The Honor Society

And I can choose.

“I, Charlie, an unseated Horseman, humbly request, you remove the mask, Axel Mercer.”

My name fucking detonates through the room. Nobody breathes. Nobody moves. Charlie smiles sadly. “Show them it was never protecting you, but them.”

I stare at the women I was prepared to kill.

I trust her one last time.

For years I buried Axel Mercer for the greater good.

Tonight, I let him live.

I take off the mask.

Gasps are heard throughout the room.

The Chancellor is smiling, fucking Rhodes. Does he realize how dangerous this is? It’s still not over. Jude jumps to his feet, Lilah follows.

Rhodes clears his throat. “Sit down, Death, Conquest.”

Famine slow claps. “Shocking.”

“You already knew.” Charlie turns towards Famine. “Which is a strike against you, as Horseman, you’ve been threatening me, using me, using him. It ends now. As heir to Famine, I challenge the seat as Horseman.”

Oh shit.

Famine jumps to her feet.

“Granted.” Death says.

“Granted.” War grumbles.

“Granted.” Conquest.

Rhodes doesn’t hesitate. “Challenge recognized.”

All before Famine can open her damn mouth. Charlie moves towards the chair and pulls the silk from the woman’s face, then stumbles back. “Mom?”

23

The Convocation: Famine Challenges Seat

CHARLIE

Mom is sitting in Famine’s chair.

Mom is Famine.

How had I not known this? Seen this? All this time? Her anger towards Edward? Her words about the Hale family. Wave after wave of realization hit until I feel sick.

Mom lifts her chin and snaps her fingers. A man in a mask walks forward and pulls his mask off.

“Dorian?” Axel says. “I killed you.”

“I wore a bullet proof vest and made it look like I was dead, plus knew you didn’t have time to double check my pulse with calling in clean up.”

“Uncle Dorian?” I whisper. “What’s going on?”