Page 154 of Vexatious Queen

“I’m going to cut his beating heart out of his chest and let him watch as I squeeze until it stops. Then, he’ll know what it felt like the day he betrayed me.”

Waving in the direction of the corpse, I marched for the door.

“Clean this up and dispose of the body. We’ve found our target,” I ordered.

Retribution was coming for Vadin Mikhailov. It was time he met his maker in hell.

FEBRUARY 20 – FRIDAY 12:04 PM

Nash

The cafeteria was busy today. The buzz of constant activity was like a swarm of bees. People came and went throughout the day, but right now every table was occupied.

It didn’t help that the temperature had dropped to arctic levels with howling winds that literally took your breath away. Snow tornados whipped around the school, a warning for all those who dared venture outside.

I spotted Camden walking in with a group of freshmen, and stood up to meet him in the middle of the room where everyone could see. His friends shrank away except for one, who stood tall at his side. Good, he needed a number two.

“You sure you want to do this?”

“Haven’t chickened out if that’s what you mean,” Camden said, and I could sense the chip on his shoulder in his words. That was also good news. It meant he was a fighter and motivated to prove everyone wrong.

“Who’s your friend?”

“This is Troy.”

The eyes and ears of Wayward were on us, so it was time to introduce the new social hierarchy.

“Alright then, just go with it,” I said, smirking and putting my arm around his shoulders.

“Do you have to touch me?” He mumbled under his breath.

“Do you want to sell this or not? If so, then shut up and do what I tell you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Whatevs.”

I walked him back to my table, where Liam and Myles waited. Ren was in the library with Ivy, Chantry, and Theo. Blake had a meeting with Dean Henry.

Camden and Troy sat down, their eyes darting around like they were seeing the cafeteria and the other students for the first time.

“You feel that,” I asked. “Everyone is watching, wondering, already speculating. There is a power shift just by sitting with us.” He nodded. “The school is like an ocean. You have everything from little clown fish all the way up to the largest predators. If you portray yourself as a shark and not prey, then those around you will instantly start to respect it.”

“I prefer the killer whale,” he said.

“Whatever. The point I’m making is, don’t forget that there is a balance. You need to stay at the top of the food chain. Right now, associating with us and establishing a visual of power in everyone’s mind helps you maintain that position.”

“This feels…I don’t know…like an act. Fake, you know?”

“Part of it is an act. You’ll constantly face other predators who want to cut you down. Keep them in their place by any means necessary. Make them think you will kill them if they cross you. You don’t always have to mean it, as long as they believe it.”

Camden snorted like I was being ridiculous.

“Are you telling me that you’ve killed people to keep control?”

I didn’t say anything and just stared at him. Myles and Liam shared the same grave expression.

“You’re kidding, right?”

I still didn’t respond.