Page 31 of Silent Oaths
Isigh again, pinching the bridge of my nose.Maxwellleans back on his hands, watching me with that stupid, persistent grin on his face.
“Fine,”Imutter, closing the sketchbook and sliding off the bed. “Justfor a little while.”
Maxwellwhoops like he just won some grand victory. “Knewyou’d come around, man.Let’sgo!”
13
THEODORE
Thehalls ofSt.Dismasare quiet in the evening.
Myshoes scuff against the wooden floors asImake my way to the staircase, hands shoved deep in my pockets.Theair smells faintly of damp wood and floor polish.
AsIpassFatherCalloway’soffice,Ihear my name.
Ifreeze.Fora second,IthinkIimagined it, but then,Ihear it again.
Ipress myself against the wall.Thedoor is slightly ajar, just enough for the glow of the office lamp to spill into the hallway.Slowly,Iedge closer, my heart pounding in my ears.
Inside,FatherCallowayis speaking to another man—FatherGray, from the sound of it.
“They’reinterested inTheodore,”Callowaysays.
Istiffen, my chest tightening.Whatthe hell are they talking about?Mystomach twists, and a prickle of unease creeps down my spine.
“They’verequested information on him,” he continues.
Ilean closer, straining to hear every word, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
“They’llwant to meet him soon.”
Myjaw tightens, and beforeIcan stop myself,Ipush the door open.
Thetwo priests look up, startled.Calloway’sface hardens when he sees me, butIdon’t care.
“I’mnot going,”Isay, stepping into the room.Mychest feels like it’s on fire. “NotwithoutMaxwellandJulian.”
“Theodore,”Callowaystarts, “this isn’t something you have a say in?—”
“Idon’t care.”Mygaze locks onto his, unflinching. “Ifthey want me, they take all three of us or none of us.”
Calloway’smouth tightens into a thin line. “That’snot how this works.It’sup to the family to decide who they take, not you.”
“Thenmake them decide,”Isnap, my voice rising.Myhands are shaking now, butIkeep them at my sides. “Tellthem if they want me, they take all three of us.We’rea package deal.”
Callowayexhales heavily and glances atFatherGray, who shrugs as if to say,Yourproblem.
“You’vebeen here sixteen years,Theodore,”Callowaysays, his voice softer now, almost pitying. “Iknow you feel a sense of responsibility for those boys, but this decision isn’t yours to make.”
“Sixteenyears,”Irepeat, my voice cracking. “You’veseen the others come and go.You’veseen what happens when you split people up.I’mnot going to be another one of those stories, and neither are they.They’rethe only familyI’vegot,Father.JulianandMaxwellare the only ones who’ve stuck, the only ones who matter.”
Thesilence stretches asCallowaylooks at me, his lips pressed together in a hard line.
Finally, he sighs. “I’llmake the suggestion.”
Reliefwashes over me, but it’s muted by the weight still pressing on my chest.
“That’sallI’masking.”
