Page 132 of Eternal

Sitting at the table at the head of the room, I wait for all our current fraternity members to filter in. This is one of Sigma House’s most cherished spaces. It’s where we holdceremonies involving the Council, and it’s set up like an old church. There’s a table at the front and pews down either side.

I’m in the seat generally reserved for my father, with Kole and Maddox at my sides.

We wait as everyone from initiates to legacies makes their way into the room. So long as they live within these walls, they were invited. And when they see that it’s not the usual Council sitting in front of them, they look nervous.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see a message from Teal. I wish I could be with her right now. She’s heading to dinner at her father’s house, and I still need to deal with him.

But this comes first. Until they’re on my side, I have to keep up appearances.

Teal: I’m nervous.

Declan: I’ll be there as soon as I’m done. Promise.

I don’t like the thought of her facing her father alone. Rumors have started spreading about Weston Randolph’s disappearance. But I can’t do anything about Paul until I have the loyalty of the men in this room, so I have no choice.

Bubbles appear on my screen like she’s going to text me back, but nothing comes through, setting me even more on edge.

“Doors,” I yell to the initiates sitting in the back of the room after everyone has made their way inside.

One stands, walking over to shut them so we can getstarted.

A sea of nervous energy stares back at me. Sigma Sin might breed strength and confidence, but even the worst of us know we all worship at an altar that has the power to snap its fingers at any given moment and take everything away.

I glance at Kole. “Are we all set?”

He locks his phone screen and nods. “Cameras are looping.”

There’s no safe space within these walls, regardless of what many of the men in this room think. They know the trials and Council meetings are recorded, but they think everything else is private.

They’re wrong.

Everything that happens in their time here is watched and collected. It’s stored in the official records and used when the Council needs puppets.

Which is why Kole is feeding the cameras a loop right now. Anyone watching this back will think we were going about our day.

“Let’s get started.” I pull out my phone, but there’s still no new message from Teal. “We’re here today to talk about loyalty.”

The room is silent as I look out at the forty-two men in their seats.

“After what happened a few months ago with the Westwoods turning against fellow members of Sigma House over the election, there have been questions.” I tap my fingers on the table in front of me. “We’re past due to make some changes.”

A door at the side of the room opens, and everyone’s attention turns to it when Alex walks in. Whispers kick up like a tornado brewing in the room.

Half the men here don’t remember his initiation two years ago because they weren’t here yet, but everyone knows Alex Lancaster, Sigma Sin urban legend.

The one who broke without losing his official place in the House—and only a few people know why or what really happened.

He walks to the head of the room with his scarred arm and hand on full display in his black T-shirt. It’s been two years since he’s walked through these halls. Two years since he left Sigma House. And now he’s back.

“I assume you all know Alex Lancaster.” I nod at him, and he takes a seat next to Kole.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he leans back in his seat. He’s a shell of the lighthearted jock who used to crack jokes nonstop, and only a few of us have known him long enough to miss that side of him.

Kole and Maddox aren’t surprised since I gave them a warning. Everyone else looks like they’ve stepped on a grenade. The Council has used Alex as an example of why people should fear them, and that’s one of the many reasons I needed him here now. As a show of solidarity for what we’re about to do.

Alex worked past what he needed from Montgomery a year ago. That isn’t why he was still there. That isn’t even why he hasn’t spoken. I’m one of very few people who knows that.

“After what happened with the Westwoods, Alex used his unique position to gather some information for the House.” I glance out at the room. “Deals. Trades. Theft. The men who promised to guide us are a disgrace to Sigma Sin, and up until now, the Council hasn’t had to answer for it.”

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