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“You’re making it really easy for me to leave you out here in the cold, ya know?” I quirk a brow at her, and she lets out a high-pitched huff. A laugh escapes me at just how put out she looks.
Her jaw clenches, but she smiles tightly at me. “Will you please allow me in, Octavia?”
I pause a moment, offering her the same level of grace she once offered me before letting her into my home. I close the door behind her then stand, waiting for her to speak. There’s no way I’m letting her any further in without knowing what she wants.
“Why are you here?”
She looks around the space, pursing her lips, disdain dripping from her. She seems to think better of saying anything and lets out a sigh. “I need your help.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
She glares at me, like I’m the one in the wrong right now. “We helped you.”
“No you didn’t,” I snap. “You manipulated me into staying with you, giving you money, and now I apparently know why.”
“Well if you know why, then you should help regardless. You’re family.”
I shake my head. The gall of it all. “We are family, but you get treated the way you treat people. You didn’t help me. You weren’t even kind to me. My father had died and you treated me like a discarded, dirty burden. Get out of my house and don’t ever ask me for help again. You won’t get it.”
She opens her mouth to say something when Lincoln’s voice echoes around the foyer. “She told you to leave. I suggest you listen to her.”
My aunt looks like she’s going to stomp her foot and throw a tantrum. Must be where Blair gets it from. “You Knights are all the same. Your time will come to fall, and when you do, I shall sit and laugh.”
He stands there, hands in his pockets, looking at her like she’s the most insignificant creature to exist. I almost feel bad for her. “If you still exist, should that happen, you are welcome to. But I wouldn’t be so sure of it. A threat to the Knights is usually dealt with swiftly.”
Her mouth opens and closes, and I clamp my lips together to stop from laughing then open the door. “You can go now.”
“But—” she starts, and I shake my head, cutting her off.
I wave to the door, more than prepared to force her out if I have to. “Karma is a bitch. I’m sure the two of you will be fast friends.”
She storms from the house and I watch as she leaves the property. Closing the gate behind her, I let out a sigh, a twinge in my chest as I shut the front door.
“Did I do the right thing?” I ask of nobody in particular. Turning, I find the four of them looking at me like they’d ride into Hell beside me if I asked them to.
Finley steps toward me, taking me into his arms, and I rest my head against his chest. “We will back you, whatever you decide to do.”
I sag against him, questioning myself, when I feel someone at my back. “You did the right thing, princess. And if anyone dares to say otherwise, they’ll face us.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly, thankful to have them all on my side.
Lincoln and East move so that I’m surrounded by them. I look between them, and Lincoln grips my chin. “We face the rest of what is to come together. Win or lose. Live or die. Together or not at all.”
* * *
After a stormy weekend, I’m almost glad to be going back to school. For a hint of the mundane, if life at ECP can ever be called that. After a morning of exam prep, and getting the details of our final assignments, my brain is basically Swiss cheese.
Not helped when Miss Celine announces that our final for the year will consist of performing for the school.
I think I’d rather fail.
Stupid fucking 4.0 GPA requirement.
I leave Music and head toward my locker where Indi is waiting for me. “What’s up, buttercup?”
I grin at her as I put my stuff in my locker. “Just the thought of performing in front of the whole damn school, no biggie.”
“I get to hear you sing again?” she asks, eyes lit up. “You might hate it, and I hate that for you, but I can’t be mad about it. You’re amazing.”
