Page 12 of Splitting Secrets
That sends lightning bolts of panic through my chest. I knew that I would be expected to step in with his Syndicate work eventually, but I thought I’d get a little more time before then. I’ve only just started my Junior year in high school.
“Nocturne Valley has been whispering about this for decades,” he tells me, his voice animated. “It finally took the Chevalier girl to step in and begin organizing. We’ve been at it for some time now and I think we’re really getting somewhere.”
“Why do you want me involved?”
“Because this all started for me with you and Bane. We weren’t given a choice with the Syndicate. I had to stand there and take whatever bullshit they slung at me because I was terrified of losing you and your mother, and I’m ashamed that I didn’t put up more of a fight. They stole both of our futures when they made that ruling. My future may already be sealed, but I want to show my son how hard I’ve been working to give him back his.”
8
Sonny
There’s chaotic shuffling approaching from down the passageway, accompanied by muffled shouts and cries. Standing from the floor, I dig my knuckles into my eyes, willing them to adjust to the new conditions.
There is no way to know how much time has passed since James left, or whether it’s day or night. After the first time I fell into a deep sleep, I completely lost track. All I know is that time feels endless. Minutes tick by like hours.
I would guess it’s been days though.
It takes a couple attempts to stand. My ankles are weak and my hip screams in pain. The plunging temperature down here has all my joints locked up and frozen and I’m still tender from punching Raze and being thrown in here. Eventually, I manage to slide my feet over toward the metal door and peek through the window.
Beatrix, Jonah, and Ava’s tired, muffled voices shout pleas to let them go. It all mixes into a cacophony of chaos thatimmediately ceases when they round the corner and see the collection of cells.
I examine them one by one, mentally cataloging any signs of injury that may have come from being brought down here. Thankfully, there isn’t much.
Jonah is sporting a bruised eye and Beatrix has a split lip. Ava is relatively untouched, which tells me she chose to come without resistance.
My heart drops when I see that they’re each wearing pajamas, as if they were pulled out of their beds and dragged down here.
Does that mean it’s night time? Possibly early morning?
Anger flares up in my chest, spreading like wildfire.
None of this would have happened if it weren’t for me. If it weren’t for this stupid idea that me and Poppy had. Desperation led us into delirium. We truly thought we could pull one over on this powerful institution without being caught.
And now she’s gone.
Fuck. I can’t think about that.
Beatrix is the first to notice me. “Poppy?” she squeals, temporarily loosening her muscles enough for the man who is holding her to stuff her into the doorway of the cell directly across from mine.
He laughs viciously into her ear, releasing her arm with enough force to throw her into the back wall of the cell. I begin to protest, but I’m cut off by the other man shoving Ava in behind her.
“Your friend has some explaining to do,” the first one teases.
Finally, Jonah is forced in by a third man, who remains silent as he pushes him into the tiny space. He lands on top of Beatrix with a grunt.
I watch in shocked horror, my mind racing.
First off, what the hell are they doing here?
Second, why are they all being crammed into one cell when there’s two others sitting right beside us? Could they be expecting to bring more people down here?
Jonah shouts a few derogatory insults at the men as they retreat out of the cell and slam the door shut. The first one who handled Beatrix looks over at me with pure malice in his eyes and smiles again. It’s an odd combination that ends up making him appear downright insane.
“Have fun with them while you can, Sonny,” he goads, then turns away and follows the other two out. I watch them closely, committing every detail about them that I can to memory.
“Sonny?” Jonah questions, and my attention snaps back over to their cell door.
The three of them stand far enough back for them to glare at me, and I frown at the silent accusation sitting on their faces.
