“You all right there, Augustine?”
As soon as the voice rang out behind him, shadows burst from August’s fingertips, ready for a fight. He hadn’t even meant to call on them. It was as if they had simply taken over, spurred on by the rise in his emotions. But the person standing behind August didn’t look ready for battle. In fact, they looked far from it.
Callum Whitlock exuded lazy arrogance. As he leaned against the tent wall, eyes snaking up and down August’s face, his thin lips curled into a crooked smirk. He seemed quite pleased with himself—getting the upper hand over August wasn’t easy, and he must have known that, given the smug look on his face.
August snuffed his shadows, though he felt them retaliate inside him.
No, no, no, they seemed to whisper to him.Use us, use us, use us.
“It’s General Hughes to you.”
“Right.” Callum offered a mocking salute. “General Hughes. Of course.” He tapped his chin, feigning innocence. “Though…I’m not so sure that title is accurate anymore. You know, given the fact that you betrayed your own sister and then came crawling back asking for her forgiveness.”
August wasn’t in the mood for this. Whateverthiswas. Even though he had spent his time in purgatory safely behind the walls of Blackwood Academy, he had corresponded with Edith and other Demien Order recruits throughout the years. And it hadn’t taken long to hear of Callum’s infamous reputation.
Callum Whitlock was bloodthirsty and desperate for praise—a dangerous combination.
“What do you want?” August bit out.
“Our catalyst was in the battle simulation.” Callum spoke through a calculated smile. “Though I’m sure you knew that already.”
August ground his teeth together and prayed he’d have the strength not to rip Callum’s soul right out of his chest.
“What’s your point?”
Callum looked up, eyes beaming. He was loving this. The tension in the air. The back-and-forth. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise August if Callum got off on it. Some people were drawn to confrontation, in more ways than one, but Callum seemed to crave it.
The other boy pushed himself away from the tent wall, slinking closer to August.
“You know how sound travels in the battle simulation cavern…echoes?” He whispered the last word, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. “At one point, when I was looking for our little catalyst, IsworeI heard you two talking together.”
Shit.
August kept his composure, though the muscles along his neck involuntarily twitched.
“You heard wrong,” he muttered casually.
But Callum continued to edge closer, that infuriating teasing glint in his eyes, as though he was savoring every second of discomfort.
“It’s funny,” he chuckled, rubbing the side of his jaw. “It almost sounded like you were helping her. Or trying to protect her.” Callum shook his head, sucking his teeth. “But…that would be terribly strange, wouldn’t it?”
August didn’t take the bait. He knew what Callum wanted—hewas provoking him. But if August’s façade was going to waver under anyone’s questioning, it wasn’t going to be Callum’s.
“I’m assuming there’s an end to this rambling?” August asked.
Callum came to a halt in front of him.
“I suppose I’m just wondering why you wouldn’t eliminate her?” He cocked his head innocently. “She wasn’t on our side. She was our competition.” Callum tapped his finger against his chin, mouth twisting into a grin. “Unless, of course…your feelings for her might have gotten in the way—”
“I don’t know what you think you heard,” August said, seething, his patience snapping. “But you’re sorely mistaken. And if you want to keep that tongue of yours, I’d recommend silencing it before I do everyone a favor and carve it out of your mouth.”
“You’re awfully defensive, General Hughes.” Callum’s eyes narrowed, the teasing spark hardening into something far more sinister. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you still cared for thegirl.”
Callum was treading a dangerous line. This was a power play. A desperate attempt at elevating his rank. And August knew what he had to do to end it…and to ensure that it would never happen again.
“Listen to me very carefully,” August began. “I don’t think—” But Callum cut in.
“I mean, I’m not saying I blame you.” He chuckled, hand splayed over his chest. “Our little catalyst is a vision. That face…and thatbody.” He whistled, shaking his head. “I can understand why your loyalty might have…wavered.” Callum took a step closer. Too close. The next words he spoke were whispered through a sickening grin. “I would have probably betrayed us, too, for the chance to screw her.”
