Storm by Danielle Ellison Page B

desk. There it is—the blame that he so easily places on other people. “You came between us when you lied about mom.”
    “Ever since you met Miss Grey you’ve been wild. Demon hunting. Lying. Not to mention risking your life at De’Intero.”
    “I did all those things before Penelope, Dad.”
    “It has only gotten worse with her. Two people’s secrets are harder to keep than one.”
    Arguing isn’t changing this. I need to play this like my dad would. I need to play it to win. What would he do? He’d manipulate, convince, and wager. “You can convince them it was a mistake, a fluke, and erase it all.”
    “I could.” He presses his lips into a line.
    I nod toward him. My dad will never give up until he meets his goal. That’s the way this power play works. “What do you want?”
    A thin grin spreads onto his face. Even under his beard it looks sinister. Dad’s brown eyes widen, and I’ve said the right thing. This is what he was anticipating, but this is the way he plays chess. Even though it’s someone’s life, it’s the same thing to him.
    “What I have always desired: your safety. You can have no doubt placed on you or on your status.”
    Status. I hold back a groan. “How do you propose that happens?”
    Dad almost looks proud as he leans back in his chair. “I’ll set things straight with Miss Grey. She’ll be stripped of her badges, and she can’t serve as an Enforcer.” That’s going to kill her, but it’s better than the alternative. “As her partner, you’ll be forced to step down as well.”
    There it is. He never liked me chasing the path of Enforcer anyway, compromise or not. “That’s it?”
    He holds up a hand. Yeah, that’s never it. “You’ll embrace your path. This,” he points to his office, “is your destiny. You will train up for your future, leave behind the rest of your hobbies, and protect yourself. You’re not a child anymore. This is your life. Our legacy.”
    He’s had my whole future planned out since I was born. The Prescott name. The Prescott legacy. The Prescott smile. Prescott men can never be wrong, or show weakness if they want to lead. They always lead. I scoff. “That’s really all that matters to you?”
    Dad’s eyes focus on mine, which isn’t what he usually does. He’s looking at me directly in the eye without the mask. Without the motive behind the words. “When it comes to keeping you safe, yes. You are the next leader of the Triad, and you must embrace that. I cannot have you wasting time around the city, so you’ll be here. I will have your support on decisions in the community. You will embrace who you are, uphold the Prescott legacy.”
    I’m done talking about legacy. I can agree to all of that. I hold out my hand, but he doesn’t take it.
    “We will be forced to figure out a solution for Miss Grey.”
    “You can’t contain her or exile her. If you do, the deal’s off. Convince them of another way,” I say. Dad stares back at me, silent and then nods.
    “Sabrina and Rafe will not settle for letting her walk away from this unscathed.”
    “As long as she’s safe.” I hold my hand out to my father without hesitation. If me embracing the Prescott legacy means keeping Penelope safe, I will do it. I will do whatever it takes. “Now set her free.”
    “I have to talk to the others.”
    “Dad—”
    “It will be a few hours, William. You can go to her until then. She’s in level four.” He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’m halfway out the door when he says, “I expect you to be home in time for dinner. Don’t be late.”
    I don’t respond as I leave. Mostly because I feel like I’ve sold my soul to the devil.

Chapter Fifteen
    Penelope
    I hear everything Carter is saying, but it isn’t sinking in. My brain doesn’t want to accept it. Even after two hours of us talking about it through a containment window.
    “I’m losing my badge,” I repeat.
    “Dad couldn’t figure out a way for you to keep it—but he