AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I exhale slowly, tension bleeding from my shoulders. He has a point. Stanley had already been expelled, and everyone knew he, Robbie and Eric were troublemakers and tight. “Okay, but we need to be extra vigilant for any rumours that end up directed at us.”
“Always.” Damien gives me a self-assured stare, telling me he’s got this and always has.
“But let’s try and keep our noses clean, at least for a little while, hmm? Lead by example. Our actions reflect on the sect.”
“No one has to worry about us, unless they try to touch you. Then they die.” Alistair’s icy statement sends goosebumps overmy arms, and I rub them. It’s thrilling to know they would all do anything for me. As I would for them.
“Feeling is mutual,” I murmur.
Ben’s gaze catches mine. “We can take care of ourselves. You are our priority.”
Nodding, I don’t bother to reiterate my feelings on this. They know now, and so do I, that I will do anything to keep them safe.
“Moving on. The Freshman. They’re clueless, impressionable. Easy to mould. That’s where we start now. Let’s give the second years a leg up when it comes to recruitment next year.”
“Agreed,” Alistair nods. “We need loyalty, and we need it young. Get them before anyone else does.”
“Fresher’s events,” Charlie suggests. “Ripe for recruitment. They want to belong, and we offer them a place. With conditions.”
“But remember, we need to be selective. We’re after quality, not quantity,” Alistair says.
“Ben, you’re good with words. You’ll draft a new pledge. Something that binds them but doesn’t scare them off,” I instruct, fixing my gaze on him.
He nods, contemplative. “Subtle indoctrination. Make them feel special, chosen.”
“Exactly. It’s time KnightsGate remembered why they whisper our names in awe and fear.”
“Fuck, yes,” Alistair says with a slow, sinister grin. “KnightsGate University doesn’t just belong to us—it is us. Our ancestors built this place, and we’re going to make damn sure it serves our purpose.”
“Here’s to the Four Cardinals. Long may we reign over KnightsGate in silence and shadow.” I shoot him a sexy smile in return.
“Long may we reign,” Charlie says.
I know we’re ready to face whatever comes next. We are the Four Cardinals and their queen—unseen, unforgiving, uncompromising. KnightsGate will remember us, not as students, but as the architects of its darkest legacy.
“One more thing,” Ben states, coming closer. “You need to speak to your parents.”
“Yeah, I know,” I mutter, looking down because I really don’t want to. Neither of them was at the coronation, but I don’t even know what that means. If anything.
“I mean it, Ever,” Ben presses, gripping my chin and turning my face to his. “You need to do it and soon.”
“Okay. I will.”
“Now.” Alistair leaps down from the altar with a fierce glare where he expects me to jump in line.
“I’m going,” I mutter with my hands up. “Look, this is me going.” I saunter off up the tunnel with the men hot on my heels, probably to make sure I call my mum and speak to her for the first time since I found out about the sect.
Fun times.
I hit the entrance hall of the manor with a shudder. It’s late, the kind of hour where secrets feel safest whispered into the darkness—fishing my phone from my pocket, feeling like a grenade in my hand. This is difficult, to say the least. To talk to the people who gave me life but somehow managed to keep an entire world veiled from my eyes, is not a nice place to be.
Ben is right beside me, a silent pillar of strength and expectation. I can’t back down now, not with him watching, not with all of them watching.
“Speaker,” Ben instructs, his voice a low command that I don’t bother to argue with.
I hit the icon next to my parents’ number and put the phone on speaker as it rings. One ring. Two rings. My heart beats witheach sound until Mum answers with that tone in her voice that’s halfway between concern and anticipation.
“Ever? What’s wrong? It’s late.”
