Cruel Love (Privilege 6)

Now that she had started to plan for Meloni’s demise, she had resolved not to think about Dr. Meloni or Reed Brennan anymore. At least not for today. She wanted to enjoy this moment. She wanted to relish it. She was not going to let old enemies ruin one of the biggest accomplishments of her new life. As she slowly made the circuit of the room, she took a deep breath and let any negative inklings melt swiftly away.

This was her night and hers alone. No one could taint it. And just to put the capper on the occasion, Soomie had shown up at the last minute and joined the processional. It looked as if things were really starting to return to the way they should be.

At the top of the circle, Ariana paused and faced inward. Palmer should have been directly to her left, but once again he’d decided not to show—unknowingly giving her great ammunition for her remove-Palmer-as-V. P. plan. Instead, Soomie was next in line. After her came April, Conrad, Maria, and so on down the line, until Jasper finally brought up the very rear. Ariana glanced at Tahira and Landon, at the spot between them that she used to occupy—a spot for lowly neophytes—and it was all she could do to keep from giggling out loud.

Christian Thacker stepped from the circle to close the heavy doors silently. When he returned to his place, Ariana took a moment to relish her position, before speaking.

“We are the Stone and Grave!”

“We are the Stone and Grave!” the membership replied.

Ariana smiled. “You may all be seated.”

Candles flickered and robes swooshed as the membership settled themselves in on the ground. Ariana smiled at Soomie and turned to face the group.

“Before I open the floor to new business, I just wanted to say thank you all for granting me the honor of the presidency,” Ariana began, rolling her shoulders back. “I appreciate your confidence in me, and I want you to know that I won’t let you down.”

“Here, here!” Adam shouted, inspiring a round of applause.

Ariana smiled bashfully and raised a hand to silence them. “I’d also like to welcome Sister Emma Woodhouse back from her vacation,” Ariana added. “We missed you, Sister. Everyone’s so glad to see you here and healthy.”

Another round of applause. Soomie blushed and looked down at her lap. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, Sister Portia, and you, Sist

er Estella,” Soomie said to Ariana and Maria when the noise died down. She looked up and addressed the room. “Over the past couple of weeks, Sisters Portia and Estella have shown me what true friendship and dedication really mean. While I would have preferred to have been here for something as important as an emergency election, I’m glad you all saw the same things in Sister Portia that I’ve seen. And I’m glad to be back,” she added, her eyes shining.

“We’re glad to have you!” Maria said, reaching in for a hug.

“Awwww. It’s like a bad episode of The View,” Rob joked, earning a round of laughter from the guys.

“Are there good episodes of The View?” Jasper inquired.

“All right, all right. We’ll dispense with the sentiment,” Ariana said. “Does anyone have any new business?”

“I do, Sister Portia,” Christian said, raising a hand. He pushed himself up from the floor and crossed the circle to hand her a note, written on heavy ivory parchment paper. Ariana recognized Palmer’s handwriting instantly, and her heart lurched.

“What’s this?” Ariana asked.

Christian shrugged. “Brother Starbuck asked me to give it to you at the start of the meeting.”

He quickly returned to his spot. The paper trembled slightly in Ariana’s grip as every single pair of eyes in the room was trained on her. What was Palmer doing? Having his friend pass her notes in the middle of her first official meeting? Was this another attempt at undermining her authority? Making her look silly?

“I think he wanted you to read it out loud,” Christian said.

Ariana shot him a look. Like that was going to happen. “I think I’ll read it to myself, first.”

Carefully she unfolded the note. It was short—only five lines—and what she read made her jaw drop.

“What is it?” Soomie asked.

Ariana rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. “To the Brotherhood of the Stone and Grave,” she read aloud. “Due to recent events I find I am unable to, in good conscience, continue my membership in this once-prestigious chapter of this hallowed society. Please accept my sincere regrets, but I must hereby render my resignation. Sincerely, Palmer Liriano.”

Suddenly the room erupted in whispers and chatter.

“Who resigns from Stone and Grave?”

“He’s gotta be kidding.”

“Doesn’t he realize he just made enemies of all the alumni?”