Page 34 of Silent Oaths
Maxsnorts, crossing his arms. “Well, they probably want you because you’ve got that whole brooding ‘future serial killer’ vibe?—”
“Max…”
Heholds his hands up in mock surrender. “I’mjust saying.”
“Thepoint is,ItoldCallowayI’mnot going anywhere unless it’s with you two.”
Julianlets out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “Yousay that like it’s up to you and they won’t just do whatever they want.”
“Imade it clear.They’renot splitting us up.”
“Andwhat didCallowaysay to that?”Julianasks, his tone skeptical.
“Hesaid he’d make the suggestion, but... you’re right.It’snot up to me.That’swhyI’mtelling you now, so you’re not blindsided.”
Julianstares at me for a moment, then atMax, who’s uncharacteristically quiet.Finally, he sighs, his shoulders sagging. “Andwhat if they don’t want us?Whatif they only want you?”
“Theywon’t,”Isay confidently.
Julian’seyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t argue.Instead, he picks up his fork again, stabbing his eggs.
14
THEODORE
Itlooks like we’re studying.
Ina way, we are—but not for school.
Julianis sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a fortress of books, his dark brows furrowed in concentration.Maxwellis sprawled on the bed, tossing a pencil in the air and catching it lazily, andI’mat the desk, thumbing through a worn book.
Heavyfootsteps echo in the hallway, growing louder as they approach.Julian’shead snaps up, his eyes darting to the door just as it swings open.Wefreeze.
FatherCallowaysteps inside, his gaze sweeping over the room. “Whatare you boys up to?”
“Studying,”Isay quickly.
Calloway’seyes narrow, lingering on the books scattered across the floor and desk.Juliansubtly shifts, his hand sliding over one of the covers to obscure the title.Maxwellsits up straighter, the pencil clattering to the floor.
“Studying,”Callowayrepeats skeptically.Hedoesn’t press further, though.Instead, he straightens and clasps his hands behind his back. “ThefamilyImentioned will be arriving this afternoon to meet you.”
Mystomach tightens.
“They’llwant to speak with each of you,”Callowaycontinues. “Isuggest you make yourselves presentable.”Hisgaze lingers onMaxwellfor a moment, who smirks in return.
“Yes,Father,”Isay, cutting off whatever cheeky remarkMaxwellwas about to make.
Satisfied,Callowaynods and steps out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Themoment his steps fade down the hall,Julianpulls the book back into view. “Thatwas close.”
“Tooclose,”Isay, exhaling sharply.Iglance atMaxwell, who’s already reclining back on the bed like nothing happened.
“We’refine,”Maxwellsays with a grin. “Hedidn’t see anything.”
Ignoringhim,Iturn back toJulian. “Whatelse did you find?”
Hisfingers skim over the page. “Ifound a few mentions of theWhitmoresin the town history books.Theywere one of the founding families ofEbonridge.They’vebeen here since the beginning.”
