Page 67 of Five

“How does she know what to get ready?” I ask. “We’re all new at this. None of us have ever done this before. So who told her what to do? Is there some secret book, or something?”

Mia squints her eyes at me, but I hold my smile in place like a pro. “You know she can’t discuss that.”

“But do you know?” Tera asks, equally intrigued.

“Of course not,” Mia says. “It’s forbidden to even ask about it. So follow my lead and don’t ask again.”

Her last words come out like a warning.

“Fine,” Tera says. “Like I care, anyway. I’m not the least bit interested in the stupid secrets. I’m here for the parties!”

“Yeah, sorry,” I say, backing away from the confrontational change in Mia. “I know better.”

Mia stares at me for a second, then beams me a smile. “No harm. Just… don’t put me in that position again, OK? I don’t like keeping secrets. I’m not even good at keeping secrets. But these secrets are sacred. And Palladium is serious about keeping them. Besides, everyone will know next week at Eat Meet anyway.”

Tera grabs my hand and pulls me out of my room, closing my door behind me. “I might be too drunk to care next week too. So whatever.”

Yeah. Whatever. It must be nice not to give any fucks whatsoever about what this place really is, and what this night really means.

I wish I was that girl. I wish I had grown up as Princess Middleton. Blinded to the ways of the world by her old money and society-page parents.

But I didn’t. I grew up Princess Shrike. And my family might be rich, but that money isn’t old, and the only time they were in the newspaper was when my father was on trial for murder.

They have to know this. Kallie and Mia, at the very least. And if they know, then Tera knows. So… why am I here? Why did they bring me into their little club? What purpose could I ultimately have in this secret place we’re calling Palladium House?

I’ve been asking myself that question all summer. And tonight is the night I might finally get an answer.

Chapter Nineteen - Five

You have got to be kidding me. That’s what I want to say when I’m told about the funeral arrangements for my grandfather.

I expected something lavish. Something very Chinese. Something traditional and foreign. But what I did not expect is another long flight halfway around the world.

“I can read your thoughts, Five,” Chen says as I stand in silence.

He’s dead. I should not be annoyed by his death, but I am. I’m fucking annoyed that I’m his designated heir. I’m fucking annoyed that I came all the way to Hong Kong when so much is happening back in the US. I’m annoyed that Damian’s last wishes were to be buried on a hill at his Rancho Santa Fe home back in Southern California, so this whole trip is a waste.

I’m just… very fucking annoyed right now.

“Don’t let it show,” Chen adds.

I nod, but keep my silence. Nothing good will come from these feelings.

“The body is being prepped for travel. Everyone will be leaving tonight.”

I could’ve been with Rory right now. Getting her away from whatever’s coming. But no. I’m here. Acting petulant. Feeling helpless. And weighed down by tradition and expectations.

“I have you alone on the jet, since you’re the only living family member who will attend.”

The only good thing to come out of this. I took Chen’s advice and called my father. He’s handling my mom. My siblings will not be brought to California for the funeral and my parents will not attend.

This is the only good thing to come out of this… disaster.

“We’re going to lose everything,” Chen says.

“Yeah,” I say. “We are.”

But I don’t care. I don’t care about any of this anymore. I do not want to be the head of this organization, but if I must, then I’m certainly not dragging my brother and sisters along for the ride.