Page 34 of A Lesson in Obedience
Asher sucked his teeth, staring me down. He was the kind of person that could have a full-on hour-long debate, but he had to know that I could also spend an hour on the defense, throwing things right back in his face. I was trying to get back into Riley’s good graces, not his. Eventually, he clucked his tongue. “You aren’t really making me lean your way in the whole staying in my house decision. You should work on your negotiation skills.”
“Well, that’s okay, because despite how amazing the St. James brothers are, you guys probably need me. I’d like to use my powers for something good this time and shadows can be quite versatile.”
He turned away from me, leaving the door open. I took that as my cue to follow him.
“I’ve never been a fan of group projects, hence why I never fucking assign them,” he muttered under his breath.
I ignored him, asking my own question. “Where did River go?”
He looked over his shoulder, stepping into the kitchen. “He took out Riley’s dog. I have a feeling a trip to the pet store for dog food will be in River’s future.”
I drummed my fingers on the counter, considering how I wanted to proceed. “She’s officially going to go back to school?”
Asher paused before opening the fridge. “She has to, Grayson.”
I looked up towards where River’s room was and every fiber of my being wanted to rush upstairs and talk to her. I blinked, removing my eyes from the second floor and focused back on Asher, who was staring at me.
“Don’t even think about it. I’m pretty sure she’s sleeping.” He threw a stern look in my direction, but instead of intimidating me like I knew he wanted it to, all it did was make me way more curious about his intention with her.
“I wasn’t planning on it. Like I said, I’ll respect her wishes.”
“Good. Maybe this won’t be such an awful idea after all.” He poured himself a drink and then went to a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of Jack Daniels.
I narrowed my eyes. “It’s like four in the afternoon.”
He stared at his glass, letting out a sigh, but continued to make his drink. “In a short period of time, a lot of alarming shit has happened, so excuse me for wanting one drink. And don’t ask me for one because the answer will be fuck no.” He took a sip, swallowed and ran a hand along the back of his neck.
I walked around the counter, closing our distance. “Do you have an actual plan for when school starts, Asher? Or are you just hoping that a plan will arise, but making all of us believe that you have it together?”
He licked his lips and turned to lookat me, his hip leaning against the counter. “The school wants to act like everything is fine, so we will too. At some point shewillhave to want to get close to Chancellor Fowler. But as long as it doesn’t look like we are hiding her or she’s running then it will feel like compliance. When the time comes, are you willing to use that incredibly versatile power of yours to trap someone, snap a neck, seep into any orifice and infiltrate enough to kill from the inside? I mean you kidnapped people, but could you take it a step further?”
“I—” I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
“Chancellor Fowler is more than willing to do those things, our own father is more than willing to ruin lives to achieve what he wants, so hesitation isn’t acceptable.”
I gave him a confused look. “You think I don’t know that?”
“Your lack of an answer is very telling.”
I stepped back and turned around, needing to stare into the empty front entrance, I blew out a breath, thinking back to that moment in that disastrous meeting. The moment I heard their dad’s voice in my head.
It’s her. She’s the one. Take her now.
I’d looked at Riley and I’d…hesitated. Of course I hesitated. I still had no idea what I was doing any of this for. I didn’t want her to be like the other girls. I’d seen their faces when I’d pick them back up to leave them somewhere to be found. I’d refused him in my head, but he’d just gotten louder.
Do it! Take her to him now. You understand what’s at stake.
I reasoned and rationalized with myself in a matter of seconds that she would be fine. This would all stop once I took her and then I could take her back. I would stay and apologize for bringing her into that situation and we could work through it. If she was the one, then Chancellor Fowler wouldn’t need the witch he used before to go into her mind. They could have a civil conversation or something. Everything should have been fine.
Oliver St. James’s voice reverberated through my head constantly.
It’s her. She’s the one. Take her now.
Their own father was more than willing to ruin lives…I was well aware. I’m sure the chancellor would have found her at some point, but I’d sped up the timeline.
My voice was a whisper when I spoke, “I hear him in my head sometimes.”
I heard his glass slam down on the counter. “Our dad is still talking to you?!”
