Page 73 of Shadows Within
“You don’t mean that.”
“I don’t know anymore, Scar. I’m so sick of this back and forth between us. It’s been years.”
Stirling’s been in love with Sophia since we were fifteen, but he won’t admit it–he’s too proud. Yet, he threatens any man who tries to date her. When he found out that Sophia was hooking up with some guys from the hockey team last year, he just about committed murder. Sophia pretends to hate it, but I know she’s secretly in love with him too—it’s the only reason she puts up with his nonsense.
“I get that.” I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about him anymore. “Anyways, I’ll call you later? Maybe we can get coffee tomorrow before your seminar?”
“Sure. Love you.” I get out of her car and walk toward mine. Sophia rolls down the window.
“Love you!” She yells back.
I wave. As I turn toward my car, I notice something sticking up on the windshield. I get closer—it’s a piece of paper. I pick it up and I look around. There’s no one in the lot. Perfect penmanship stands out against the stark white paper, each detailed letter connecting to the next.
Stop searching for answers you don’t want to know.
Beneath the Surface
Callum
Walking through The Society’s door brings no comfort or sighs of relief. If anything, my blood pressure spikes a bit. The physical reaction starts to set in as my back tenses. It’s hard to imagine anyone feeling happy in a place like this. When you have money and everything you want in life, you’re constantly chasing a happiness you can’t find. My Father has been searching since he was a teenager. I wonder if Mom ever thought that she was his happiness.
My mind wanders to Scarlett. She fills me with a joy that I didn’t know existed. Bliss that I never want to let go of.
Vines cover the home’s dark stone build, matching the personalities that live within it.He better be in here.I reach into the glove box for Scarlett’s file, before entering through the side door.
The silence of the empty, lavish marble hallway greets me as I enter. It’s dark in the sitting room, but I spot a small light on in the study. I tuck the folder under my jacket as I walk toward it.
He sits in a leather armchair, his back facing a wall of books. He has the newspaper in his hands. On the side table, his heavily poured drink accompanies him.
“You knew.”
He doesn’t look up.
“I know a lot, Callum.” His tone is sharp like his physique.
Benedict Mercer’s personality wasn’t shaped by privilege. He worked for his position within my grandfather’s company. It almost makes me hate him that much more. He was brought up by nannies and boarding schools and did everything he could tomake sure that I would turn out successful. Instead of trying to break the mold and become involved in my upbringing, he chose to do the same thing that was done to him, but worse. He saw what he could’ve changed and let the things that he resented define me too. Amid it all, he built a fortune five hundred company and claimed his role as a Higher within The Society. Now he’s the silent leader that many follow.
“Do you know about what happened to Scarlett?” I ask.
“Who’s that?”
Liar.
“Scarlett Voss. She was almost raped four years ago. Her dad is Jake Voss, and her mom is Vanessa, the one who’s bills you’ve been paying. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
His right eye twitches and he doesn't answer. I can’t take my eyes off him. I look for a sign, anything that might give him away. His silence is powerful. I pull the folder out from beneath my jacket and slam it onto the table next to him.
His dark eyes rise to meet mine. Finally, I have his attention.
“It’s below you to steal, Callum.”
“Oh, but it’s not below me to kill, as long as it’s for The Society, right?”
I recall all the times he’s used me through The Society to clean up his messes. Something he could never do—he doesn’t have the strength.
“You’re willing to give up on your brothers for this?”
Brothers. Family.They try to instill these values in us early on, that way you’re less likely to betray them. They provide a sense of belonging just to take advantage of your name or your skill. My downfall is both.
