Page 123 of A Lesson in Obedience

Okay,be careful and let me know when it’s time.

I love you and I…love them, maybe just a little.

Another round of laughter.I’ll be sure to let them know.

50

Riley

Icrept out of my room with Beau on my heels. I went up the stairs and towards where I heard the two men speaking.

“I can’t rush the moon, Oliver. The witches do it at a particular time and you will just have to stop throwing a fucking tantrum and wait. When this is over, I want nothing more to do with you. My daughter is in my hands, so your assistance will no longer be needed.”

Oliver scoffed. “When I get what I’m owed, I’m out of your hair. You act as if I didn’t help with Thomas’s death, like I didn’t help clean up your mess with that silly girl who died here, or even with your own mother. You forget that your daughter is intertwined with my sons, so I’m sure you’ll be seeing me.”

Chancellor Fowler tsked. “That may be true, but I implore you to be on your best behavior because if I find that my daughter is unhappy because you’ve decided to take your weak little frustration out on those boys, then you won’t be a problem for anyone anymore.Your mind control tricks don’t scare me, Oliver, now sit down and stop talking. I need to think.”

If Chancellor Fowler wasn’t an obsessed, murderous insane person, I would value his words about how my happiness was of the utmost importance. My dad always wanted me to be happy, but he never monitored River to make sure I constantly had a smile on my face. This man wasn’t my dad and he never would be. That ended tonight.

I softly walked backwards, checking my phone for the time. I took the stairs down to the first floor and near where the back entrance was. When I rounded the corner, two bodies were on the ground. I bent down to see if they were breathing, a sigh of relief leaving my lungs when I felt their warm breath against the back of my hand.

I wanted to rid myself of the two men upstairs, not anyone else. At least not at the moment. I straightened back up seeing that the back gate was melted down. I narrowed my eyes then my body stiffened when I felt pointed metal at my back.

I swiftly turned around, using my powers to send whoever it was back. I heard a collective ‘oof’.

“Get off me,” I heard someone hiss.

“Corrin?” I whispered, the moon starting to let light into the dark hallway. Corrin and Ike blinked back at me, righting themselves from their collision.

“Who else would it be?” She rolled her eyes. “Did you think we were going to ditch you?”

I opened and closed my mouth, knowing that if I answered honestly, she would punch me in the arm. Beau jumped up on his hind legs and she caught him. He licked at her face, his tail whipping the dust around.

“Did you just throttle me into my own sister?” Ike stretched his neck, his voice getting louder.

I shushed him. “Sorry. Do you have a dagger?”

He smiledbrightly. “Made it myself?—”

“And yes, he is very proud.” Corrin tilted her chin towards the opening to the outside. “Mateo and Jade just need some kind of signal, like a very cool, very lowkey fireball?”

I gave her a small smile and nodded, noticing the moon getting higher. “Right on time it looks like.”

Ike pointed to himself. “Hey, that was me. I did the math, I looked at the weather and when the moon would set…”

Beau let out a heavy sigh. I felt a weird sensation along my skin. I ran my hand along my chest and it bothered me that I didn’t know where it was coming from.

“It’s the moon gathering. Whether you’re there or not, you feel it. You may not lovingly accept Celica, but it is a part of you,” Corrin explained. “It’s a perfect indicator that says it’s actually time.”

When we got to the top of the stairs I looked over at Beau. “Stay here.”

He cocked his head to the side, annoyed.But…

“No. Stay.” I knew if I needed him, truly needed him, he would follow. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him when we were so close. I bent down to look him straight in his big, caring eyes.You help the wolves if they need it and then you come find me.

Beau licked my face, dipping his head down quickly and then looked back up at me.

I focused on the next staircase, hearing their voices again. The sound of groaning filled my ears. I got closer to the door, slowly pushing it open to see Chancellor Fowler at the window and raking his nails down the glass.