Cardinal Tower (Trinity Central Book #1)

Chapter 34

"Anyway, Dad eventually got smart and asked me for help," he boasts, proud at the fact that he was clearly an afterthought.

"Yeah, help to get to me," I mutter under my breath. I know that he hears me, he just chooses to ignore the fact. "You know, it isn't too late to join Cardinal, I'm sure Kai would be more than happy to see an old friend."

"Malachi Blaire? He's just as bad as Monica, maybe even worse. But you've grown quite fond of him again, haven't you?" He delights in my evident disdain at his mocking Kai. I didn't think it would bother me as much as it does.

"He's not going to be in the picture any time soon." Devon stops walking and finds himself fixed in front of my cell door. "I thought you had more sense than that."

"What are you planning Devon?" My lip snarls into an unflattering grimace and I'm about to snap at him.

He ignores my question, and instead continues spouting cryptic nonsense about Kai. "Besides I doubt you'll be able to save him after today."

"What are you going to do?" The anger beneath my skin starts boiling, the thought of something bad happening to Kai bothering me much more than I anticipated.

"And your other friends, you'll never see them again either. Except for Aria when we use her like we're going to with you."

"Dammit, Devon!" I kick the iron, rattling the bars on its frame.

"Oh Castelle, It seems like you do have an emotion. Frustration." He's right because, for the first time in a long time, I'm trapped. "It's not too late to be compliant. Come on, we've stayed together all our lives, do you really want to trade that for some people you've hated no more than three weeks ago?"

"You know nothing about them," I say, inching my hand forward slowly towards my boot. I need to get out, now, I think, I need to find Kai and the others and warn them.

"But I know everything about you." He laughs a bit to himself, "I know you're incapable of actually feeling something for anyone, so stop pretending like you care about these people. We're vigilantes, Cas, join us, join the rebellion. You know our cause is righteous and justified, so stop fighting it because of whatever prejudice you have against Dad."

"I've driven my life down that road. I've been a part of this masquerade, prancing around in a facade of false strength and superiority. You're nothing like that so stop trying to be! I've seen it all before. Your greed, how you're blinded by the glory, the idea that you'll take over the oppressors and become your own tyrant. I know how amazing whatever they're offering you might be, I also know there's no convincing you to stay with me, but while you're doing what you think is right, I'll do what I know is right."

He turns around, something about what I said disturbing him. Now's my chance. "What? You're turning on your family, your life, you're turning on me? And for what! A bad reputation we picked up thanks to the scum we decided to take off the streets?" He turns back around, and I rise to meet his gaze, the blade hidden up my sleeve as I trot towards the door.

"You're not a hero," he continues, "so stop acting like one! These people, they've tortured us, humiliated us, locking themselves away from the cold winters while we freeze right outside the door, and you still choose to defend their petty actions just because they offer you a warm meal? A nice apartment? You can have all of that if you joined us! Castelle, please, if you want to be a hero, be our story's hero."

I grab his collar, pulling him against the bars, and slide the knife from my sleeve, pressing it against his throat. "I'm not a hero."

"You're fighting for the wrong side Cas."

"I fight for myself. Not Trinity, not the Karmas, not you. You can't use me."

"You don't have a choice!" He's laughing the same disturbing laugh of a psychopath. For being held at knifepoint, he has an annoying amount of confidence exuding from him. "Do it. I know you can't."

I press the metal into his throat ever so slightly, a drop of blood escaping from the fresh wound. His expression wavers a bit, collapsing in fear, but I can't seem to press further. I try to convince myself that I never really cared for him, but I did. Despite everything he's done, all the lies he's told, I still can't find myself killing him. A few seconds pass by before he smiles, pleased with the fact that he predicted the outcome of this exchange so easily.

I don't get much more time before a set of footsteps runs above us followed by a round of loud voices barking orders at each other. I look up at the flickering lights with concern, Devon looks up with delight.

"What's happening?" I asked, pulling his collar closer to the iron bars.

"Now that we have you, we don't have to hold back anymore." He has the audacity to look proud, almost enlightened like he's just saved the world.

"What does that mean?" I ask growing tired of him dodging my questions. He looks back down at me, an amused expression shadowing his face, a tone of anticipation filling his voice.

"Say goodbye to Cardinal."