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I adjust my scythe, still not sure that bringing it is the right thing to do. What if they take it away from me?
I push the thought aside. They're not going to do that. The Association doesn't want to take away the fact I'm supernatural, they just want me to swear to live a secretive life. That's a small consolation, though still not great.
"You've got this," he assures me.
"I hope you're right."
I lead him up the steps and push on the front door. Out of habit, I start to take off my shoes but stop when I realise I don't live here and will be going to a different part of the building.
"Syxe. Good. You're here," Angela says, walking towards me with her arms outstretched.
I stand completely still as the woman responsible for the running of the house approaches me as if I'm a long lost friend and not someone who has been ignoring their letters.
"And you brought a friend?" Excitement enters her voice.
"I brought a witness," I correct stiffly.
"What an excellent idea. We can't have that academy of yours saying we coerced you into something."
I clench my free hand, trying to hold my tongue.
"Follow me." Angela walks off down the corridor, leaving the two of us to trail behind her.
"It's going to be okay," Mathias whispers to me.
I wish I could believe him, but there's a big part of me doubting that at the moment.
This part of the house is newer and better kept than the part I lived in, which only goes to reaffirm what I already know about how little they care about me and the others. But that's not the problem I'm here to deal with. Maybe once I'm free of the Shadow Association, I can work on the best way to free other people from it.
If I'm lucky, maybe I'll even manage to find Mathias' cousin. Though I guess there's a chance Stephanie doesn't want to leave the Association.
We enter a room where a group of adults I recognise from my time here stands in a circle. I should really stop thinking about them as adults with authority over me for no other reason than I'm a child. I'm over eighteen now. They can't control me anymore.
"Welcome, Syxe Weston, please join Annalise in the centre of the room," Angela says.
I glance at Mathias but let go of his hand and walk forward. At least no one has asked me to take off my scythe. It's offering me some reassurance, and a reminder of the person I'm trying to be.
Annalise glares at me as I go to stand beside her. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. She's probably just mad that I got to leave this place.
Or maybe not. She always seemed to be excited about the Association's rules, even when they were oppressive.
"Welcome to the Shadow Oath. Repeat after me," Agatha says.
I raise my eyebrows. Is this how they plan things to go? No explanations, no conversation, just this is what you have to agree to or else? I can't believe no one has brought this to light before.
"I swear on the life of myself, and on those of my descendants, that I will uphold the laws of the Shadow Association..."
Annalise instantly repeats the words, not even pausing to consider what they mean.
I keep my lips pressed closely together. I won't say that. Not only do I not want to swear on my life to uphold rules I'm not aware of, but I'm not going to swear away anything not belonging to me. My currently non-existent descendants are not mine to give away.
I wonder if this is how they got me?
"I forswear any allegiance to a supernatural organisation that is not the Shadow Association," Angela continues, not acknowledging my silence.
This time, Annalise does raise an eyebrow. Perhaps they haven't explained to her about the supernatural part yet. Despite whatever second thoughts she might be having, she repeats the words.
I don't.
