In more than one word, it was something along the lines of “holy crap, I think I might really die today.” After Juliana had convinced my brother not to lower himself to Langston Phillips’s standards, Max, Sadie, and I ran toward the parking area, intent on getting out of the ensuing commotion. Aregonda was less than pleased when we caught up to her. “Why did you do that?” she shrieked at Max. “We planned this disruption for months!” “Yeah, well, you never shared those plans, did you?” Max retorted. “I was forced to make my own plans.” Aregonda’s face turned from red to purple. “Regardless of if we shared them or not, you acted out of turn!” “Out of turn?” Sadie repeated. “Listen, woman—” Aregonda made a grab for Sadie’s arm. “Do not doubt your betters, child.” I grabbed the back of Aregonda’s shirt, lifting her up a bit. “Do not doubt the Inheritor, adult,” I said in Aregonda’s ear. I released her shirt, letting her fall to her knees.
