Page 170 of Glutton for Punishment

For several seconds he just stands there. Then something in his expression breaks. Like a dam giving way. “Come in.”

I walk in, keeping my attention on his face. I sit on the edge of his bed while Brix paces the room. Neither of us speak for several minutes until he stops and his shoulders slump. Whatever weight he has been carrying is taking a toll. I can see it in the lines of his face and the bags under his eyes.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“The beginning would be best.”

A humorless laugh escapes him. He drags a hand through his curly hair, ruffling it.

“Okay. Well then, we need to go way back. You probably know how the Wrath housing system works for orphans or most kids whose parents have been deployed?”

I nod. I know how it works. Sadie’s family took me in, but if you have no one and no money for a governess, you go to the housing system. Officially for care. In reality, overcrowded and neglected. Kids get thrown in with violent older teens just trying to survive. I’ve heard the stories. Brix stares at the floor, and his voice makes my stomach drop.

“Dylan was my best friend. He got sent to one when we were ten and he didn’t make it out.”

Silence fills the room, and I close my eyes, feeling the hurt in his voice vibrating through my body, carving a hole in my heart.

“Brix...”

His voice cracks. “He kept coming to school with injuries. He said he was fine, but clearly no one in charge was stopping anything. Nobody cared.”

Brix sinks into the chair across from me. “My mom could be called back into active service at any time.”

I nod slowly.

“If that happens...” He swallows hard. “My sisters don’t have anyone.”

Everything clicks into place. His obsessive effort to be the best in school. Every moment Brix pushed himself until he looked ready to collapse.

“I worked my ass off to get into this academy,” he says quietly. “I’m not special. I don’t have a unique power. My ability is common at best.”

His laugh is harsh. I hate hearing him talk about himself that way. It’s not just about the power; it’s the way you use it. Everything from this past year has taught me that, and Brix has proved it time and time again.

“But I made it to the academy. And if I do well, I can get a suitable position when I graduate and all the perks that come with it. It would be enough to keep my little sisters safe.”

His eyes meet mine. “They won’t end up like Dylan.”

The certainty in his voice hurts. This isn’t ambition; it’s desperation. I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

“There’s more.”

The words come out strangled.

“Last year… Ryker threatened me. He saw us out and getting closer while we were pretending to date to get back at Atticus. And… well, he didn’t like it.”

White hot rage unfurls in my chest.

“He said if I didn’t back off, it would be very easy for someone like me to lose my place here. Arwen, he’s a Councilor’s son,” he says desperately. “You’ve seen the political favoritism play out with Professors. There is no doubt he could carry out that threat."

He’s right. Ryker could have done it.

“That’s why you turned me away when I came to you that night. That’s why you looked so torn about it.”

His face crumples, a raw, unguarded fracture in his usual composure, and in that moment, I see the full weight of every sleepless night.

“You should’ve told me.” I say adamantly.

“I know.” He exhales hard. “I was a coward. I knew if he found out that I told you, I’d be in the next car home.”