Page 20 of This Blood That Breaks Us

After a few drinks, Luke finally smiled, and my work was done for the night.

“You were right. This is fun.”

Five

Luke

The morning came for me despite me willing it not to, and it came in the form of William and Thane knocking on our door. We spent hours drinking before The Underground started to clear. It was a nice distraction for our first night.

“Don’t you say a fuckin’ word, Calem.” William loosened his collar.

They were dressed in all-white slacks and dress shirts. He reminded me of a butler, but I would not mention that. Thane’s long hair was brushed into a clean bun, and William’s looked freshly cut on the sides.

“Come on, Will. It could be worse,” I said.

“No, it really couldn’t. We’re at the threshold of hell,” Will said.

“Not even the threshold. I’d say we’re cruising around level two or three right now,” Zach said.

“Serving the Calem twins in hell. If you’d have told me this months ago . . . ”

“We’ll go easy on you. You bossed me around for months, and now that karma is back to repay you.” Zach smiled from ear to ear.

“They want me to bow.” Will gritted his teeth while looking at himself in our floor-length mirror.

“Well, come on. Let’s see it,” Zach said.

“Fuck. You.”

Zach nudged him. “You can shine my shoes instead.”

“I need a cigarette.”

It was a sobering experience. In a matter of days, everything was different. No more late nights in the frat house listening and watching my little brothers live their lives free of burden. I loved being there for them. Did I miss college? Had I liked my classes? I wasn’t sure, but I was sure I was happy then, when they were happy and we were together.

“My vote is on a big distraction. We could set fire to the castle. Will and Thane brain wipe a few, and we steal a boat,” my brother said.

“The only way that works is if you’re interested in watching them torture us when they catch us. From what I’ve gathered sofar, a lot of people here are the same age or older than Thane and me. We wouldn’t be able to keep them under. You’re talking about four of us against more than twenty moderately matched opponents if they catch us. Not to mention the actual Guard. They could have people waiting on the mainland.”

“It’s too risky. We need time to have a better opening,” I said. We needed time to construct a plan that might actually work.

Thane was quieter than usual, and his gaze burned a hole in my face.

“Luke, I wanted to thank you for doing that for me.” Thane pulled me aside while William and Zach continued to bicker. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. The others are safe. That’s all that matters.”

“I knew you were going to say that, but I was rooting for you guys. I didn’t want you to have to come back to them. So being the reason that you are here is—”

“I know.”

“No. Let me say this. I’ve always been loyal to The Legion. They’re all I have. The only good thing I’ve ever had in my life. And when Akira cornered me in the forest and forced Her blood down my throat, nothing else mattered. I forgot about the things I stood for and the people I care about. I thought I understood after the trial in the church. But that grew after getting to know all of you. I knew I needed to help you. And now I get it so much more. So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to help you get out of here. I owe you. I’m in your debt.”

“I’m more concerned with getting you and Will out first.”

“Oh no. That’s not happening. We all go or none of us do.”

Before I could protest, Zach stepped in.