Page 98 of Revere

“Take from the House, we take from you,” I remind Derek as Alex opens the cage. “Since you like scheming with snakes, we brought you a friend.”

The moment the cage opens, Derek starts screaming. Alex has the cage positioned so the snake is trapped in the brick circle and can’t get to us.

“Unfortunately, the bite isn’t going to be what kills you.” I step back, watching the snake slowly circle, not reaching him yet. “It will hurt, yes. But your skin slowly rotting is going to hurt more. And when you start bleeding from your nose, eyes, and gums… well, I guess that won’t be much fun either.”

“You can’t leave me like this.” He kicks his legs, trying to break free.

“I can do whatever I want, remember? That’s why you chose to follow me. That was the one good decision you made before you decided Anson’s plans were more important.”

Alex stands amused, watching Derek squirm. A smile ticks in the corner of his mouth, and it’s the most joy I’ve seen from him, which is fitting considering what he does for the House.

Declan is beside him with his arms crossed, frowning. Likely disappointed that the fun is over.

“Are we done here?” Declan glances at me. “I’ll have someone clean this up when Maddox comes to get his snake.”

“No!” Derek yells, but I don’t bother turning back to look at him.

I’m done, and he’ll learn his lesson the painful way before he rots in hell.

He’s still screaming as we shut the door and leave him with the venomous snake in the pit of the Sigma House basement. There’s no more sound. Nothing to indicate he’s even here as we climb the steps, not stopping until we’re on the main level of the basement, where the fraternity holds its initiation trials.

These walls bring back memories. They’re cold. Unforgiving. Some things never change.

Alex stops in the room, watching me, and I cross my arms over my chest, prepared for what’s to come.

I wouldn’t blame him if he pulled a gun out and finished me because I’d do the same for his sister, but all he does is stare.

Finally, after a long moment, he speaks. “My sister hates you.”

“She has every right to.”

He smirks, crossing his arms. “I respect my sister enough to let her deal with you and decide what she wants out of this. But you should know, if she tells me she’s done with you or if you hurt her again, I have no problem dragging you back to this basement, no matter your role in the House.”

That, I don’t doubt.

“I’ll take that under advisement.”

Alex glances at Declan. “Any word on my father?”

“He tried to contact Ursa yesterday. It’s only a matter of time before we track him down.” He looks between us. “Who do I turn that information over to once we know where he is?”

Alex and I meet gazes again, and he tips his chin at me. “I want to be there the second he’s called in.”

“I’ll make sure that happens.”

He starts to leave but pauses at the door, deciding otherwise. “You’re going to have to tell Patience who you really are. You’re going to have to tell her everything. She hates the House, but for some unknown reason, she likes you more. No matter what she’s telling herself right now.”

“I plan to.”

He rakes his hair off his forehead. “It’s difficult for her to trust. Considering… things that have happened to her.”

Alex doesn’t finish that thought, and he doesn’t need to. I’ve seen her scars, and even if I don’t know the stories, I know she’s been through too much.

“I assumed as much. I’m going to make sure no one hurts her again.”

“You saved my life once,” Alex says. “Me not killing you here and now for using my sister in Sigma House business is me repaying that favor. We’re even.”

Alex turns to leave with Declan behind him, but I pause in the basement for a moment. Closing my eyes, I breathe in the stale, metallic air that created the monster I became. The monster Patience hates.