The gasps throughout the room are music to my ears. I use my heels to slow their progress as they drag me backwards. But I get one arm free.
Enough so that I press a kiss to my fingers, then wave them at Ashlyn and yell, “That’s foryou, baby girl! Enjoy it!”
As they force me outside, she smiles. It makes me warm inside. Especially when she takes a bite of the brownie.
After eatingand relaxing for an hour in the student center, I head toward Harvey’s house. The guards open the doors and usher me into his wood-paneled office.
I bow before President Harvey, who welcomes me with a friendly smile. The warm autumn sun streams through the windows behind him, glinting off a purple amethyst gnu paperweight as it sits on top of his desk. It’s the same gem the enforcers wear.
“Tenebris unitas.” I greet him with ourThetacall.
“Tenebris vocantur.”
Hmm, this must mean he has a task for me.
With a wave of his palm, he indicates I should sit. I’ve always liked Harvey. He’s pragmatic. Likes to get the job done. Smart.
Plus…there’s something behind his steady brown eyes that makes me think he knows more than he lets on.
“You wanted to meet, sir? I’m here for you.”
“Bonum datur oboedienti, Mr. Cardell. Andyouare well deserving. Therefore, today you’re bestowed favor.”
We usually converse in traditional Latin, and he’s told me that goodness is granted to those who are obedient.
“Gratias ago,” I say, thanking him.
He doesn’t need to know that my conformity isn’t piety. It’sstrategy. And I never sacrifice something I’m not willing to give up.
“One of the finest presidents ofThetawe’ve had. You handled giving us the tapes from Terror Tuesday without anyone becoming alert. You smoothed over the latest…issueswith aplomb until no one had questions. And I suspect you have a plan to win the points for your upcoming game on the following Wednesday.”
I nod. “I do.” Card counting, heavy-weighted balls replacing the regular ones, paying off dealers… DPAdoesn’t have the kind of money TRZ has.
“Fantastic. I won’t ask what those strategies are, but I’m sure your brilliant mind has come up with some good ones.”
An irritating itch arises inside me, and I freeze to keep from fidgeting with impatience. He hasn’t gotten to his point yet. Unless it’s to tell menotto institute my cheat system…
Using two fingers, he slides a red envelope toward me. The back holds a dried black seal with the number9embossed on it. “This is…notfrom the Board of Trustees. We felt it was best to handle it internally. I don’t think you’ll object. But your father can be a little weary if he’s not actively making decisions about yours and your brother’s futures.”
“I understand, sir.”
It must be my appointment. Let’s see who the poor woman is whom I get to drown in my blanket of apathy daily.
When I open it and look at the name, I simply nod.
“Thoughts?” President Harvey asks with his black eyebrows raised.
“No, sir. Thank you for giving me an appointed. Truly, an honor.”
“The Dean was rather, let’s say,insistentthat you be wed to his daughter.”
“Dean Twinston will make an excellent father-in-law. TheCollege of Health Sciences is run efficiently, and his daughter, Hailey, is well versed in the sacred laws of the Seven.”
President Harvey pauses for a long while without blinking. His fingers drum on the desktop as he dips his head lower to gaze into my eyes with an intimidating look. “But if you have objections…”
“None, sir.”
“Okay, then. Thank you, Mr. Cardell. You’re free to go.”