cascade | kotlc

2. Keefe's Betrayal

 "It's not as bad as it seems."

Magnate Leto -- well, Mr. Forkle -- had said the words a dozen times, and June almost believed them. All she could see was the slivers of glass glinting in his hair and stuck to Sophie's cloak.

At least Keefe hadn't let Sophie get hurt. He still cared about her.

She sighed. Fuck darned emotions. I hate these things.

Magnate Leto's office was in shambles, its walls now empty metal frames, and while the rest of the pyramid had simply cracked and splintered, all of the glass would have to be replaced.

Why, Keefe? Why did you have to do this? We could've helped you. We trusted you, Keefe.

And... I think I still do.

At least no one had been hurt, and the other buildings on the campus had been spared. But that didn't change the fact that the Neverseen now attacked Foxfire.

It was Keefe's idea... why couldn't he just have told Sophie, or anyone, earlier? Why was this necessary?

God, Keefe, you're such an idiot... get better soon, please...

"Truly, Miss Foster," Magnate Leto said as he plopped next to them on the plush sofa. "I've been meaning to redecorate my office since I took over as principal. I've never been a fan of my reflection, especially in this form."

"It's not just about your office," June said, shaking her head. "This is about... Keefe."

"She's right," Grady agreed, stalking down the curved staircase in the center of the room with Brielle, his svelte goblin bodyguard, in tow. "This is about that boy. I know he used to be your friend-"

"He still is my friend," Sophie corrected.

And, I think, he still wants to be ours too.

We could've helped you, Keefe. As much as I don't want to accept it...

We all know this is a betrayal.

Grady crouched in front of her. "Whatever he is or isn't to you doesn't change the things he's doing." He plucked an especially jagged shard of glass off her sleeve.

Why? Keefe, why would you betray us?

We. Can. Help. You.

I hate you, Keefe.

June found herself slowly running her fingers over a large piece of glass, tapping it, listening to the soft clinks. She accidentally sliced her finger against the edge, and she sucked in a breath as a thin line of red appeared.

Grady's face darkened as he took her hand, examining the wound.

Sophie would've been shredded to pieces if Keefe hadn't given her his cloak. At least he wasn't acting too stupid...

What am I supposed to do with you, Keefe?

Have you not realized how much she...

Cares?

Sophie reached for Grady's hands. "I'm fine. And Keefe did this to warn us about the Neverseen."

"That doesn't make destroying Foxfire okay!"

I really do have to say, this entire operation was executed...

Really well, actually.

Fuck you, Keefe. Stop messing with my sister.

"Technically he only destroyed my office," Magnate Leto argued. "And my own foolishness is partially to blame. This is all a rather dark shade of gray, but that's a color all of us are familiar with, aren't we?"