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I’m convinced he’s fucking with me, but I won’t let him see how agitated I am right now. “Fine.” My shoulders slouch and I roll my eyes toward the junior class. Muttering under my breath, I say, “I’ll do your stupid initiation.”
“What’s that?” Neo pipes up. “We couldn’t hear you?”
I raise my voice. “I said, I’ll do the initiation.”
“That’s what I thought.”
He’s an even bigger dick than I remember.
I join the juniors, feeling extremely out of place. Everyone’s attention is on me, and I downright hate it.
“Our initiation process is simple. By taking the oath, you agree to the following rules: to protect the secrets of The Society. To discuss no events at Boulder Cove Academy with outsiders. You will respect and follow all rules set forth by The Lawless. As per The Society’s rules, we maintain that outside relationships are forbidden. If you’re caught fucking around with anyone who is not a Blue Blood, you risk expulsion from The Society.
“Lastly, you are committing to a complete school year and will not be dismissed until the final Gathering at the end of the year, at which we will release you from your obligation to attend in the future.” Crew pins me with a hard stare. “Some choose to never return.” I bite my tongue so hard, a metallic flavor coats my taste buds. “If everyone agrees, please sayI doas we make our way down the line. Scarlett, we’ll start with you.”
They sure are hell-bent on making a mockery of me. No time to think. No time to go over my options. Well, I’m not going anywhere. I made it this far, and if they want to push me, I’ll just have to push them back. My arms cross over my chest and I look Crew dead in the eye. “I do.”
I swear he breathes a sigh of relief as the words leave my mouth. As if he wasn’t expecting my compliance.
Everyone in line agrees to the rules. Once we’re all “initiated,” everyone claps, and this time, I join in just so I’m not standing out.
After a moment ofcelebration, Crew waves his hands down, silencing everyone. “As Neo explained, the games are a week-long event that test not only your physical endurance, but your mental stability. Those who choose to play and complete the games, advance on the ladder of hierarchy before the next Gathering.
As you all know, Scarlett Sunder is entering as a second-year student at Boulder Cove Academy.It’s not common that we have students enter as seniors, but it has happened before. After speaking with The Elders, they have informed us that Scarlett’s placement on the ladder is to be left to our discretion. Being the transparent leaders we are, we let the senior class voice their opinions on the matter.”
My smoldering glare burns into him as my chest heaves with a fury I’m fighting hard to contain.
With a smirk on his face, Crew looks at me. “We’re glad to have you here, Scar. Now it’s time to earn your place.”
Is he serious?I can’t tell. I don’t need to earn my place. I was born into this damn Society. “Yeah, right.” I chuckle nervously.
Neo steps up next to Crew. There is no smirk or glint of empathy on his face. Not that Neo has ever had an ounce of empathy toward another human being. “If you want to reap the benefits of being a Blue Blood, you will earn your place just like everyone else.”
“Yeah,” the crowd chants in unison.
“She has to earn it.”
“Make her play the games.”
“That girl's not entitled to anything here.”
“Who cares if she’s a Sunder?”
Those are some of the hasty remarks being made by my classmates.
“You can’t be serious,” I grit out.
Neo looks at Crew, then Jagger. Their expressions are saturated with smugness. They’re loving every second of this. “Being the generous leaders we are, we’re giving you the option to play the games and advance early, or you’re welcome to fulfill the duties of a Rook until our next ceremony.”
I gulp. “You’re really making me a Rook?”
Everyone goes silent. Not a sound to be heard other than the pounding of my heart in my chest.
“Unless you’d like to play,” Jagger says before his gaze shifts elsewhere. “Hammond, get your ass up here.”
Everyone looks to the left, where I assumeHammondis. Whoever that is. From the crowd emerges a guy with beer-soaked clothes, matching my own.It’s that asshole.
“Earlier today, I demoted Victor Hammond from his seat as an Ace. We're giving him a chance to redeem himself.” Neo looks at Victor. “Take your clothes off, Victor. You smell like stale beer.”
