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XXXVII BookII

SerenityAckles

XXXVII:TheInitiation

Copyright©Serenity Ackles

Allrightsreserved

Firstedition,March2024

Publishedby AxelliaPublishing

PrintISBN:978-1-912644-47-6

eBookASIN:B0CDMF22C2

Coverdesignby NatashaSnowDesigns

Editedby AetherealPress

Allrightsreserved Nopartofthisbookmay bereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,distributed,storedinorintroducedintoany informationstorageandretrievalsystems,inany formsorby any means, whetherelectronicormechanical,withoutexpresspermissionoftheauthor,unlessforthepurposeofareviewwhichmay quotebriefpassagesforareviewpurpose

Thisbookisaworkoffiction Any referencestohistoricalevents,realpeople,orreallocationsareusedfictitiously Othercharacters,names,placesandincidentsaretheproductoftheauthor’simagination Any resemblancestoactualevents,locations,orpersons–livingordead–isentirely coincidental

ALSOBYSERENITYACKLES

AUTHOR’SNOTE

XXXXIV

XXXXV

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WHYCHOOSE?

NEWSLETTER

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

WAYSTOCONNECT

ALSOBYSERENITYACKLES

CONTEMPORARYREVERSEHAREM

XXXVII

XXXVII:TheElite

XXXVII:TheInitiation

Coming Soon

XXXVII:TheRevenge

PARANORMALREVERSEHAREM

Elemental Magic Unleashed

Grounded

Charged Shocked

SerenityAckles&J.S.Lee

The Goddess of Fate & Destiny

CursedLuck StolenLuck TwistedLuck

Coming Soon

ChosenLuck

XXXVIIisadarkromanceseries Consequently,therearetriggerwarningsforthesebooks Ifyou’rereadingthesebooksafter readingotherbooksbySerenityAckles,thesearemuch,muchdarker.Ifyou’vecomehereafterreadingdarkromance,thiswill probablybeachecklistforyouandpossiblynotasdarkassomeasyouread.Eitherway,ifyouhavetriggers,pleasetakethe timetoreadbelow,andifyou’renotokaywithanything,stopreading.

Bytheend,theleadingladywillhavemultipleguysandahappilyeverafter.However,thisisadarkromanceandthathappily everafterisn’tcomingquickly.XXXVIIisabullyromancesetinacollege.Theguysarecrueltoher somemorethanothers. Althoughthemajorityofthebullyingisdonebyothersoutsideofthegroup,theseguysarefarfrominnocent Thingswillget worse before theyget better. This bookends withanorgasmand a shock not so mucha cliff-hanger, but definitelynot a happilyeverafter maybenotevenahappilyfornow

Asmentioned,thesebooksaresetinauniversity/college TheFMCis18

This bookand subsequent books containdub-con Dependingonyour definitionof dub-con, later books inthis series will containsomnophilia(technically,consentisgrantedprior,butI’ll letyoudecidewherethatfallsinyourbeliefsandwhether youwishtocontinuereadingtheseriesbasedonthat),butotherwisethereisnonon-coninthisseries

Other triggers (inthis bookand/or subsequent books) include: exhibitionism(forced and voluntary), alcohol use, druguse, murder, control of food, video recording without consent, humiliation, bullying, blackmail, sleep deprivation, choking, punishment,useoftoys,andBDSMelementswhichshouldnotbeusedasaguidanceinanyway

Finally,thisbookhasbeenedited,andproofreadbyadozensetsofeyes,butunfortunately,peskytypossometimesgetpastus all.Ifyoudoseeanytypos,pleaseeither reachouttomeatSerenity@SerenityAckles.com,or complete the followingform: https://forms.gle/5qu1zkrVcSk3rqNP9

Tothosewhoallowthingstoliverentfreeintheirmindbecausetheirsoullivesinthegutter.

Andtothosethatdon’t,feelfreetostopby–theHOAlovesgroupgatherings,redflags,anddoesn’tcarewhatyourbushes looklike.

Afterearningherselfascholarship,ToriReynoldsstartsherfreshmanyearatJamesKeyinghamUniversity Threeyearsbefore, her brother was arrested for murderingfellow studentJames Patrick“JP” Keyingham. Despite pleadingguiltyand currently servingalifesentence,Toriisconvincedherbrotherisinnocentandtheevidencesheneedsissomewhereatthiscollege.

The universityis ruledbythe Elite a societymaintainedmainlythroughdescendants ofsome ofthe mostpower and richestpeople inthe country. Their presidentis senior, Synclair Keyingham JP’s younger brother. Syn, alongwithhis two bestfriendsandEliteVicePresidents,RoyalDavenportIIIandGeminiRemingtonarefullyawareofwhoToriis

DuringtheFreshmanWelcomeParty,ToristumblesonaninitiationceremonyofsomeoftheinitiatesoftheElite.After consumingalcohol and takingdrugs, four initiates take part inanorgy, watched byfigures hiddenbehind robes and masks, whilethewholeaffairisrecorded.

Notlongafter,SynpubliclyoutsTori whosheisandwhatherbrotherdid.Hismissionistocarryouttherevengehe wants on Tori’s brother by taking it out on her. Tori’s life slowly becomes hellish. If students aren’t ignoring her, they’re bullyingher,evendictatingwhereshesitsinthecafeteriaandwhatshe’sallowedtoeat.

AswellasSynandtheotherstudentsmakingherlifehell,oneofherteachers,Dr PayneWrightalsohasitoutforher Heknowswhoherbrotheris,buthe’salsoconvincedJPwasn’ttheonlypersonhekilled.

Despiteeverything,Tori keepspushingthrough,determinedtofindanyevidenceaboutwhathappenedthatnight Even thoughit was a high-profile murder, there are veryfew details available, and it’s not until Tori finds a first editionof the collegepaperthatshefinallygetsabreak.

Together withDr Wright, theytrackdownthe original author of anarticle published at the time to discover he was silencedallthoseyearsago,becausehetoowasconvincedtherewasmoretoJP’sdeath.

ThenightJPwaskilled,hehadbeenattheElite’sInauguralBall theeventwelcomingtheinitiatesasfullmembersof thesociety.ConvincedthattheanswersliewithintheElite,TorigivesSynaproposalhecan’trefuse.Allowhertojoinand, silencedbyanNDAandcontract,hecanperformanyinitiationtaskonherwithnorepercussion

Tori’sinitiationceremonyisverysimilartotheoneshewitnessedatthewelcomeparty.Only,theotherpeopleshehas sexwitharen’totherinitiates.They’reSyn,Royal,andGemini.

Beforeshe’sevenenteredtheElite,Tori’salreadyfoundanswersshewasn’tpreparedfor XXXVII.

Thehandlemovesupanddowninmyhand,butwithoutakeytounlockit,thedoortomyroomwon’topen.

Adrenaline, shock, anger, confusion, pain, fear

I’mmovingonautopilot,asthoughmymindandmybodyhavedisconnected,andI’mnottheoneincontrolofany ofthemovements Somanythoughts andfeelings areswirlinginmyheadthatI’msomehow unabletoregister thatnomatter howhardorhowmanytimesImovethehandleupanddown,thedoorwon’tmagicallyopen.

Get into your room.

BeforeIcandothat,thedoornexttomineopens,andPennysticksherheadout.“Ithoughtitwas Tori,whatthe fuck happened?”

As she steps outofher room, somethinginmybrainfires into action Ijerkmyhand away, wrappingmyarms tightly around me. Ignoringeverypainful protest mybodymakes, I straightenmyback, suckina deep breathto tryand slow my hurriedbreathingwhilegivingPennyasmile

“Whatareyoustilldoingup?Gotobed,I’m ”

“Whatareyouwearing?”Inlessthanasecond,she’sstandinginfrontofme,hereyes,dartingalloverasshescansmy appearance.“Whathappened?Isthata collar?Didtheyhurtyou?Didtheyrapeyou?DoIneedtocallthepolice?” “What?”

“IknewIshouldn’thaveletyougo I’mcallingthecopsright ”

Her words breakthroughthe trance Ihadn’trealized Iwas in. Before she canturn probablyto go gether phone I reachoutand grab her arm Outofthe corner ofmyeye, Inotice the little red lightofthe securitycamera installed directly oppositemydormroom.“Nothinghappenedthatyouneedtoworryabout.”

Veryobviously,Pennylooksmeupanddownbeforeshereturnshergazetomyface.“Nothinghappened?”sheasks,her toneflat

“Nothinghappened thatyouneed to worryabout.” We’ve notbeenshouting, butneither ofus have made anyeffortto speakquietly Lettinggoofherarm,Iglanceupanddownthecorridor,checkingifanyotherdoorhasopened Sofar,they’re allclosed.

ThelastthingI’mworriedaboutisbeingseen Myconcernistheconversation “Ilostmykey.CanIstaywithyoutonight?”Iask,loweringmyvolume.

“Ithinkyoulost…” Pennycloses her eyes. Her hands clenchinto fists, thenshe releases themas she opens her eyes again Icanonlyseewarmthinherexpressionasshenods “Ofcourse”

Followingherintoherdormroom,theexplosionofpinkhasasurprisinglyinstantsoothingeffectonme.Thecoversof herqueen-sizedbedarerumpledasthoughshe’sbeenlyingonthemratherthanunderthem,andheriPad,althoughwithablack screen,isproppedup.

Wasshewaitingupforme?

Pennystepsinfrontofme,chewingonherlowerlip.Inherhandsissomeneatlyfoldedpinkfabricthatshepickedup fromsomewhereasI’vebeenstaringatherbed.

“Regardless ofhow you’re feelingrightnow, Ireallydon’tthinkyoushould shower,” she says, gently “Don’tgetme wrong,I’llpayforyourlawyermyself,butifwe’regoingtogetaconviction,wereallyneedevidence.Puttheseon,andI’ll callacartotakeustoahospital”

Alumprisesinmythroat,andIcanfeeltearsthreateningtospill.Ittakeseverythinginmenottoletthathappen,because I’msurePennywillonlyinterpretthemassomeformofagreementthatsomethinghappened,ratherthanbecauseofhowmoved Iamatherfriendship.

“Everythingwasconsensual,”Itellher.“IknewwhatwasgoingtohappenbeforeIwentthere,andtheygavemeevery opportunitytobackout”

Somehow,thatmadeitsoundlikeeverythingwasnormal.ThelastthingIwantedtodowaslietoPenny,butrightnow, anydetailwouldjustleadtomoreassumptionsorquestionsIcan’tanswer

Can’t,becauseIsignedanNDA.

Won’t, becausenowIhadamuchbetterideaofwhatI’dwalkedinto,andthe last thingI’mgoingtodoisanythingthat couldputPennyatrisk.

Especiallynotaftertonight.

Nearly a week ago, Syn had given me an envelope with two sets of documents inside: a non-disclosure agreement, whichbasicallythreatenedtobankruptthenexttengenerationsofeverymemberofmyextendedfamily,andacontractthatwas bothdetailed enoughto know mylife was aboutto belongto the Elite, yetvague enoughto notgive me more thana dozen superficialrequirements

AfterreturningfromthecitywithPayne,ItoldPennyeverythingthatIknewuntilthatpoint,includingmyintentiontoask SyntoletmejointheElite I’dmentionedtherewasaninitiation,butI’dnevertoldherwhatitwouldinvolve SinceSyngave metheNDA,Idon’tintendondoingitnoweither.

“Iknow youwantto find outwhathappened to your brother, butyoucan’tletanyone else getawaywitha crime to accomplishthat,”Pennytellsme “Itdoesn’tmatterifyouconsentedbefore youcouldhavecometwiceandbeonyourway toathirdorgasm,butifyouchangeyourmind that’sstillrape.”

Mylackofclothesmightbeagiveaway,butIcan’ttellheranything Atthesametime,Iknowshe’snotgoingtoletthis go.“Penny,IsignedanNDA.Ican’ttellanyone noteventhepolice.”

“Idon’tgiveashitifyousignedanNDAornot,becausethat’snotwhatthey’redesignedfor”

MakingsureI’mlookingherstraightintheeye,Ishakemyhead.“Itwasn’trape.Therewasnochangingofmymind,and theydidn’tdoanythingtomeIdidn’twantthemto.”Asdoubtseemstocrossherface,Igiveherasmall smile.“Itwassex. Justsex Alittlerough,andyes,I’malittletired,buthonestly,Ikindaenjoyedit”

Pennystaresatme,andforamoment,Ithinkshe’sacceptedwhatI’vesaid,butthenhereyesnarrow.“Thenwhereare yourclothes?Andseriously,what’swiththedogcollar?Andwhywereyousoupsettryingtogetintoyouroom?”

TheonlythingsI’mwearingareablackrobeandacollar.

Whenwefinished,whenIsaw…

Sixromannumeralsweresearedasclearlyinmymindastheyhadbeenpermanentlymarkedontheirowners’skin. NomatterhowmuchIwanttodenyit,IknowexactlywhatIsaw.

The problem then has been the same one I’m confronted with now: my brain doesn’t know how to process the information.Currently,tokeepmyselffromgoingintosomeformofcatatonicstate orworse,sheerpanicthatwould,atthis point,probablyresultinPennycallingeveryonefromtheparamedicstotheFBI,IamtryingtoforgetwhatIsaw

Butoutoffightorflight,myprimalreactionwastogetthehelloutofthere.

Everything I’d been wearing, right down to the matching bra and panty set, and the blazer with my roomkey in the pocket,hadbeenleftintheCryptbelowthechurch.Itwasonlybecausetherewasarobelyingdiscardedonthefloorrightby thedoor thatI’dhadtheforesighttograbitandpull itonbeforeIburstintoachurchmasqueradingasanightclub,crowded withpeople

TheentiretimeI’vehadontherobe,I’vehadatleastonehandholdingittightly,soitdoesn’tfallopenandrevealmy nakedbodytotheworld,butwithmyotherhand,Ipinchasectionofthefabricnearmyhipandliftitafraction “Idon’thave myroomkey,andI’mwearingthis,”ItellPenny.“Wouldn’tyoubeupsetattheprospectofhavingtofindsomeonetounlock thedoorforyou?”

Pennypointsatmyneck “Andthat?”

Iraisemyhand,butmyfingersstayjustoutofreachofthethingaroundmyneck.“Hazing.”

Finally,Penny’sshoulderssag,andsheseemstodeflatealittle “Thenexttimeanythinglikethathappens,youknockon mydoor.Idon’tcare whattime itis I’ll always answer.” She reaches out,offeringme the contents ofher hands.“Take as longasyouneedintheshower”

Itakethepinkpajamasandthenwalktoherensuitebathroom,butIpauseinthedoorwaytolookbackather.“Thank youforbeinghereforme.”

Shewavesherhanddismissively,butthere’sasmileonherfacethatmatchesmine

Once I step into the bathroom and close the door behind me, my smile falls away. Reality takes over, leaving me confusedandalmostnumb

Afew days after the NDAand contract had been delivered, before I’d even signed themand returned themto Syn, GeminiappearedbrandishinganiPad

He’dwaitedwhileItookitfromhimandreadwhatwasalreadyloadedonthescreen.Itwasasinglepagedocument thatbrieflyoutlinedwhatIcouldexpectfromtonight.

Iwas expectedtodrinkwhateverwasgiventome Iwas expectedtotakewhateverdrugwasgiventome.

IwasexpectedtohavesexwiththreemembersoftheElite

Andeverythingwouldberecorded. OnlythenwouldIbeginmyinitiationintotheElite.

James KeyinghamUniversity’s exclusivesocietyalmostnever invites anyonetojoinunless they’realegacy.Sons and daughtersofthosewithenoughpowerandmoney.

Ifthisiswhatallthepreviousinitiateswereprovided,thenIhadanadvantage.Onmyveryfirstnighthere,Iwitnessed theinitiationoffour other members,soIknew this wouldhappen.TheonlydifferencebetweenwhatI’dseenthenandwhat happenedtonightwasthatIwastheonebeinginitiated I’dbeenfuckedbynoneotherthanRoyal,Gemini,andSyn. SynclairMadison CurrentpresidentofTheElite.

TheonlypersonSynhatesmorethanmeismybrother Becausemybrotheriscurrentlyservingalifesentenceforkillinghis.

After settingthe pajamas downonthe side, Imove over to the mirror. No matter how hard Istare atmyreflection, I barelyrecognizethereflection

I’vespentsolonginside,studyinghardjusttogetacceptedtoJamesKeyingham,thatanytraceofthetanIoncehadis longgone Myskinisnormallypalebuttintedwithpink Now,italmostlooksgray,madeworsebythebold,ink-bluemyonce blondehairisnowcolored.

BeforeIwentouttonight,I’dspentalongtimegettingready Myhair wasstyledintoloosewaves,andIputonmore makeupthanI’vewornforalongtime.

Now,I’mamess.

Thelittlelipstickstillonmeissmearedinthecorners Mymascaraoreyeliner orboth hasrundownmyfacealittle IlooklikeI'dbeencrying,eventhoughIhaddefinitelynotbeen.NowonderPennywasworried.

Mostlikely, it’s fromSyn’s cum, or maybe where Gemini had attempted to wipe itfrommyface afterwards There’s certainlyasmallsectionofmyhairthatlookscrusty.

Leaningforward,IgriptheedgeofthesinktobracemyselfasIclosemyeyesandtakeinafewdeepbreaths.

DespitePenny’sworries,I’mnotupsetorashamedaboutthesex.

ItwasrougherthanIthoughtitwouldbe,yet,whenIrealizedSynwasbehindoneofthemasks,I’dhonestlyexpected worse

Never never haditcrossedmymindthatSynwouldbeoneofthepeopletotakepartinmyinitiation.Considering howmuchhehatesme,I’mstillconfusedastowhyhewasthere

Iopenmyeyesandallowtherobetofalltothefloorsothatallthat’sleftisthecollar.ReachingupItouchthesilvertag danglingfromthefront.

Thecollarisbasic.Black,aninchthick,andmadeofleather.Thetagisjustasimpledisc.There’snothingonthefront ofit,butwhenIraiseit,Icatchsightofsomethingengravedontheback.

LeaningasclosetothemirrorasIcan,Imanagetoreadthesmalltext:

PROPERTYOFSYNCLAIRKEYINGHAM

Asshole

Irritated,Idropthetagandtwistthecollararound.It’sfastenedinplacewithabuckle,butthere’sasmalllatchoverthe topofit,heldinplacebyasilverpadlock

“The collar does not come off unless one of us unlocks it.” Syn’swordsechoinmymind.

Thepadlockissmall,andwhileI’dnotgainedanylock-pickingskillsatmylasthighschool,I’msureitwouldn’treally takemuchtogetitoff somethingtojamintothekeyholeandabitofbruteforce…

OnlyI’mnotgoingtotakeitoff.

ThelasttimeIvisitedmybrotherinprison,Colehadpleadedwithmetoleavethiscollege AndwhenIaskedhimto givemeareason,hisanswerwasthirty-seven.

Just,thirty-seven

Tonight,IdiscoveredthatSyn,RoyalandGeminiallhadatleastonetattoo. XXXVII

Thirty-seveninromannumerals.

Eachonepermanentlyetchedintotheirskin,rightbytheircocks.

Although the three of them are seniors, they’d all still been in high school when James Patrick Keyingham was murdered.

Therewasnowayanyofthemhadbeeninvolved and if Synhad,that’sonehellofanacthe’sputtingon Italso seems like a veryweird choice bothinlocationand design for matchingbestie tattoos. Syn really doesn’t seemtobethetypetowantamatchingtattoowithanyone,muchlessonepracticallyonhisdick. Butcrazyasitsounds,itseemstoostrangetobeacoincidence.

Nowthattheinitialpanic,drugs,andtequilaarewearingaway,mythoughtsareclearer. IknowI’montherighttrackwithmyinitialsuspicionsandI’mnotgoinganywhere Straighteningmyback,Istarewithdeterminationintomyowngreeneyes.“Doyourworst,SynclairKeyingham.”

Tori

EnteringtheElitemeansIhavetomoveoutofmydormandintooneoftheexclusivedormsreservedforthesociety members TheinstructionsSynprovideddidn’tspecifywhichdormI’dbein,onlytoreporttohishousetoday

Admittedly,thisissomethingI’mnotlookingforwardto.

Mypreviousroomwashardlysecureorevenprivate it’dbeenbrokenintoonmorethanoneoccasion,andSynhadset upasecuritycamerainthehallwaytowatchmyeverymove thisfeltmore…

I’mnotsuredangerousistherightword,butIcertainlyfeellikeI’mventuringintoacavefullofsleepinglions.

Withtheendofmidtermslastweek,everyonemusthavepartiedhardlastnightattheElite’seventinthechurch,because evennow,thecampusispracticallydead.

Inanotherlife,Imayhaveactuallyenjoyedbeinghere

JKUislocatedinupstateNewYork,onlyanhourorsofromthecity.Now,intheNovemberair,theoncegreencampus iscoveredinreds,yellows,andoranges,asthetreeshangontothelastoftheirleavesbeforewintersetsin

Whilsttheweatherhasachill,walkinginthesunisstillpleasant.however,theicyfingersoftheshadowsreachforme often.

Syn,alongwithRoyalandGemini,liveinDenaliHouse,theonlyhouseonthecampus.AccordingtoPenny,itwasonce thedean’s,butatsomepoint,itwasacquiredbytheElitefortheirpresidentandvicepresidentstolive.

TheonlymomentofhesitationIhaveisaftersettingmysuitcaseontotheporchandspottingtheswingatthefarendof thebuilding.Itlooksmorelikeadecorationthanfunctional,butthewayitcreakssoftlyinthewindsendsmebacktomiddle school

Upuntil Colewasconvicted,mydadbailed,andthehousewasrepossessed,I’dlivedmywholelifeinthesamesixbedroombrownstone onthe Upper EastSide. EveryChristmas, we’d head outto mygrandparents ineasternMassachusetts. Theylivedinasmall suburboutsideBostoninabig,red-brickhousewithwhitetrim Theyhadaporchswingjustlikethis one.

WhileColeandIplayedinthesnowwithDadhelpingusbuildasnowman,Momwouldsitonthebench,wrappedina blanket,watching.

Thatseemslikeamillionyearsago AndprobablynotwhatIshouldbefocusingonnow Iringthedoorbell,andit’snotlongbeforetheornateblackdooropens.

ThelasttimeIwashere,oneoftheElite’sinitiates,Declan,answered.

Today, it’s a manwho looks a little older thanmydad He’s wearinga suit, and I’mcertainhe’s a butler Because if anyoneonthiscampusisgoingtoforgothetruecollegeexperienceandhire‘help’,it’sgoingtobeSynclairKeyingham. BeforeIcansayhello,hereachesdownandpicksupmysuitcase “Letmetakethis”

As he reaches the base ofthe stairs, he turns backto me. “Unless you’re planningto leave, please shutthe door, Ms. Anderson”

Withoutwaitingfor me to do justthat, he turns, butinstead ofgoingup the stairs, he continues downthe hallwayand throughadoorontheleft.

Themovehascompletelythrownme,andasIstepinsideandclosethedoorbehindme,myheartfeelslikeit’spounding inmythroat,rightbehindthecollarI’mstillwearing.

Initiatesliveinexclusivedorms miniapartmentcomplexes justalittlefurtherpastthishouse So,whyismysuitcase beingtakeninto this house?

AtnopointhaditcrossedmymindthatI’dbe livinghere.Whywouldit? Synhates me.He mayhave allowedme to join,oratleastattempttopasstheinitiation,buttolive here?

I’mstilltryingtoworkoutwhat’shappeningandifthisissomekindoftrapwhenthebutlerreappears.He’snotoldand haggard, but tall, with wide shoulders and slightly overweight While he looks like just an average guy, there’s also something…offabouthim.

There’s no expressiononhis face, no emotioninhis eyes, and his movements are almostrobotic IfAIhad advanced enoughtomakerobotsthisrealistic,I’dthinkSynhadboughtone.

Asitis,I’msurethisguyandSynhavethesamelevelofemotionalintelligence. Althoughhe’slookingatme,itfeelslikehe’slookingthroughme.“Thisway.”

Likebefore,hedoesn’twaittoseeifI’mfollowing,instead,retraceshisstepsbackdownthehall.

Even though I’m still struggling to understand, not the what, so much as the why, I follow him. I might not really understandwhyhetookmysuitcase,butleavingwon’tgivemeanyanswers

The house is large.The lasttime Iwas here,Ididn’treallypaymuchattention,butnow Ican’thelpbutlookaround. Apparently, it, along withmost of the campus, was built back in mid-1800s I don’t doubt that’s the original house full of originalfeatures,butthere’ssomethingaboutthisbuildingwhichfeelsmorelikeamuseumthanahome.

EvenifeverypastElite presidenthas had a stickup their ass like Syn, it’s still where guys have lived for over 150 years, yet there’s barely a scrape or scuff in the polished wooden floor, and though my footsteps echo down the hall, no floorboardcreaksbeneathme.

I’vebarelytakenintheartworkhangingonthewall paintingsthatcouldbeoriginalsandwhatI’dexpecttoseeina student’s familyhome before the manstops outside of one the manywoodendoors we’ve passed and knocks. AlthoughI don’theararesponse,heturnstome “Theyareexpectingyou”

Andthenheleaves.

Itakeamomenttosuckinadeepbreath,pullmyshouldersback,andmakesureIcanfeelmyfacerelaxsotheonlything anyoneseesisconfidence.ThenIpushopenthedoorandwalkin.

I’mnotsurethateventheblindcouldmisstheamountofwealththatoozesfromthiscampus,andIknowthatifanydorm JKUisgoingtoscreammoney,it’sgoingtobeDenaliHouse

The room is long and narrow, with high ceilings edged in detailed covings. The walls are a gray-blue, and large paintings ofhuntingparties withheavydarkwood frames hangonthem Runningdownthe lengthis a thintable, withseven chairs oneachside, and a chair at eachend. It’s the kind of thingthat could lookreallyprettyif it had all the China and silverwareonit,andmaybetherehavebeenafewdinnerpartiesheldinhereovertheyears.

But even with Syn, Royal, and Gemini in here, this doesn’t feel like a roomthat’s used often, much less for dinner parties.Whetherthiswasahousethatguysorgirlslivedin,I’dexpecttoseepersonalitems asweateronthebackofachair oratextbook Maybeevenaforgottencuponthesideboard There’snothingoutofplaceinhereexceptme

Synissittingonthemiddlechairontheoppositesideofthetable.Hisattentionisonhishandsthatareclaspedonthe tableinfrontofhim Withoutlookingatme,pointsatthechairdirectlyoppositehim

Suddenly,theroomfeelshot,despiteitonlybeingafewdegreeswarmerinherethanitwasinthehallway.Iclosethe door behindmeandtakemybagoffmyshoulder.I’vepackedmylaptopandall mystudymaterialsinside,aswell asafew essentialitemslikemyphoneandcharger,soit’sabriefrelieftolowerittothefloorsoIcantakemycoatoff.

AlthoughGemini,whoisclosesttome,isleaningbackinhischairlikehe’sjustwokenupfromanap,hehasn’ttaken hisdark,browneyesfrommine

Besidehim,stony-faced,withhisgazenowtryingtoburnaholeintothechairoppositelikehe’sdoingeverythinghecan nottolookatme,isSyn Fromthisangle,Icanseethewaythemusclesinhisnecktense

UnlessIcanfindoutwho really killedhisbrother,I’mcertainthere’snothingI’llbeabletodothatwillstopSynfrom hatingmelikehedoes.Andhonestly,iftheroleswerereversed,I’dprobablyfeelthesame.

Iwalkovertothechairhepointedto Afterhangingmycoatovertheseatbesideitandloweringmybagtothefloor,I pulloutthechairandsit.I’malmostcertainthiswoodentableisasoldasthehouse,becausebelowthesheetofglassontop, therearethousandsoftinyscratchesonthesurface

Thechairframeslooklikethey’refromthesamewoodasthetablewithsimilarcarvingsvisibleonthesidesandlegs. Buttheslate-coloredleathercoveringtheseat,back,andarmrestsisnew

Theearlyeveningsunisjustlowenoughthatit’sshininginthroughthewindowbehindthethreemen,makingmesquint. Ifthere was a competitionfor the mosthandsome studentatJKU, Royal DavenportIIIwould notonlywin, he would somehowgetsecondandthirdplacetoo WiththelightbehindhimnowIcouldseewhy Royal’shairlookalmostgold,with softlytannedskin,astrongnose,chiseledjawlineandperfectsymmetry.

Royal’swearingapalegraypoloshirtthat’salmostthesameshadeashiseyes orwouldbeifhewerefacingthesun Withhisarmsfolded,themusclesinhisarmsarevisible.DespitethecrapIseehimeat,there’snotanounceoffatonhim the restofhisbodyisasmuscularashisarms

Idoubttherearemanypeopleonthis campus whowouldn’tlovetohavehimstareintentlyatthem,butrightnow,I’d ratherhefocusedhiseyesanywhereelse.There’ssuchanintensityinthemthatIcan’tdecideifhewantstothrowmeoutofthe roomorontothistablesohecanfuckmewhileSynandGeminiwatch

As far as chairs go, the one I’m sitting on is relatively comfortable. However, last night’s activities, specifically Gemini’scockbeingburieddeepintomyass,hasleftalingeringsorenessthatpainkillershaveonlybarelytakentheedgeoff soImovetogetmorecomfortable.However,themovementisenoughdrawSyn’sattentiontome.

Hedropshisgazetomythroat,asmilegrowingonhisfaceashestaresatthecollararoundmyneck,thenhedragshis gazebacktomyface.“I’mnotsureifI’mmoresurprisedtoseeyouhere,oratthespeedyou’removingafterhowyouleftlast night.

“Youmightwanttoreevaluateyourperformancethen.I’vehadbetter.”Ishrug. Thelierollsoffmytongue,butthetruthissomethingthatI’llneveradmittohim.

Syngives Royal the side eye,whichIdon’tmiss,before turningtome “Are yousure youcanevenremember all the peopleyou’vespreadyourlegsfor?”

Iwasn’tavirginbeforelastnight Atmyprevioushighschool,I’dhookedupwithafewoftheguys,andwhilethere’d beentheusualawkwardhighschoolsexwhereneitherofusknewwhatweweredoing,itwasn’tallterrible.

There also wasn’t as manyguys as Synseemed to think, but I can’t sayI’msurprised at himresortingto turningthe numberofmysexualpartnersintoaninsult.

“Igohomeandwriteitall upinmydiary.”Ismirk,lettingthemknow theycan’thurtme.“You’retherewiththetags, ‘mediocre,’and‘noneedforaroundtwo’”

“Whichbringsusnicelytothepointofthismeeting,”Itellher,notbotheringtohidemysmirk.

Iwasn’tlyingwhenIsaidIwasn’tsureifIwasmoresurprisedaboutherbeinghere,orherbeingabletowalk Eventhoughshe’s tryinghard to hide it, Isaw her adjustherselfinthe chair and it’s clear thatthere does seemto be some lingeringpainfromwhatwedidtoher

Whatshedoesn’tknowisthatlastnightwasforthecameras.

While the tapes are justinsurance, to make sure she keeps to her side ofthe deal. To date, we have onlyever had to release a tape once before butI’mnottakinganychances withher. Inever expected her to come to myuniversity, letalone expectedhertoasktojoinmyElite…

Butwithher,I’llmakeanexception

OnceI’veworkedoutwhyshe’sreallyhere andnotthatbullshitexcusethatherbrotherisinnocent Iplanonhaving thattapeuploaded everywhere

Lastnighthadtoshowdebauchery,butitalsohadtoshowwillingness. Andshewasmorethanwilling.

Ievenhadherbeggingmetofuckher.

She’dtakeneverything,andIhaveasuspicionshe’dhavetakenmore. “Yousignedthecontract”Icontinue “Andthatstipulatesthatyouarewillingtoperformany taskweaskofyou” Sherollshereyes,butnotbeforeIseeaglimmeroffearinthem.

Good

“Ohyay,moremediocresex.”

Ifshethinksthere’sonlymoresexonthecardsforher,she’sgoingtogetarudeawakening,veryquickly. Instead,IrestmyelbowsonthetableandtemplemyfingersasInod “Anytime,anyhow,anywhere ” Herlipspartafraction,thenshestraightensherbackandturnsawinceintoashrug.“Fine.”

“Soyou’reokaywithwakingupwithmydickinyou?”Geminiasks Ihearitinhisvoice,excitementmixedwithcuriosity.

AlthoughIcan’tsaythatideahadn’teveroccurredtome,imaginingthelookonherfaceasshewakesup,chokingonmy dick probablynotunliketheexpressionshehasnow whichhasmegrowinghardbeneaththetable. AndthensheleansforwardandgivesGemini asmilethatalmostseems genuine.“Itwasn’tyouwiththe‘noneedfor roundtwo’tag”

Onthe other side ofme, Royal snorts, and Ihave to refrainfromrollingmyeyes atthat. He’s allowed himselfto be poisonedbyhercunt

“Asoflastnight…”Isay,beforesheattemptstoturnonthecharmandIlosemyappetite.“Weownyou.”

The smile falls fromher face, and she sits backinher chair “Yes IgotthatimpressionwhenIread and signed your contract.”

I’mnotsurewhy,butshe’sactingdifferently.Beforenow,she’dbarelyspokentome,yetnowsheseemstothinkthere’ll benoconsequences?

TheNDAprotectsus,nother.

“Thatmeansyouwilldowhatwesay,whenwesay,howwesay Youwillwearwhatwechoose,eatwhatwetellyou to ”

Geminiturnshisheadtolookatme,butIignorehim.Iunderstandhisissuewiththis,andit’stheonlythingI’mwilling tocompromiseon whichhealreadyknows butshedoesn’t.

Idon’tmisshowhershouldersslump.

“ Sleepwherewesayandfollow everyinstructionwegiveyou Andtheonlywordsoutofyourmouthwillbe, yes, sir.Doyouunderstand?”

Shemeetsmyglareheadon,butshesurprisesmewithherresponse “Yes, sir ”

“Becausedogsthatdon’tbehavearenotallowedofftheirleash,andtheysleepoutside.”

Shedoesn’tsayanythingtothat.

“Whichiswhywe’regivingyouonelastchancetowalkaway,Tori,”Royal tellsher.“Yourbagsarealreadypacked,

andthere’sacarwaitingtotakeyoubackhome.Leaveandthat’stheendofit.”

Royal’stoneissofterthanI’dlike,asifhealmostwantshertoleave.

Idon’t

Notanymore.

Sheshakesherhead “I’mnotgoinganywhereunlessyoubreakyouragreement”Shelooksatme “Sir” “Myagreement?”Irepeat,amused.

LastnightshehandedbackthesignedNDAandcontract,only,onthecontract,she’daddedinasinglestipulation:

No harm, whether intentional or through vague implications, will come to Penny Bergmann, including, but not limited to, physical, emotional, or psychological behavior.

“I’malreadywastingenoughofmyprecioustimeandeffortonyourfutileattemptofaninitiation.Icouldn’tgiveasingle fuckaboutPennyBergmann,solongasyourememberyou’vesignedthatNDA.”

PennyBergmannhadonlyeverbeenonmyradarbecauseofher.NowthatIhadaliteralcollararoundTori’sneck,she belongedtome.

“I’msurprisedyoudidn’tthinktotrytoaddinanyrestrictionsorasafeword” Shefrowns.“Asafeword?”

“Awordthat’susedinsexbythesubmissivepartytoshowalinehasbeencrossedandforallactivitiestostop”

“Iknowwhatasafewordis,”shesays,lookingatmelikeI’vejusttoldhertheskyisblue.

“Colormesurprised,”Isaywithfakeshock.Iwonderhowmanyofthosediaryentriesneededusingasafeword. She narrows her eyes. “You expect me to believe you’d have been willing to have some exceptions added to that contract?”

“Ialreadydid,didInot?”

She’sright,ofcourse.Butathrillripplesthroughmeatthesightofherdismay.

“Wouldyoulikeasafewordtouse?Howaboutpineapple?”Itiltmyheadandsmile “No,” Gemini says. “A safe word is supposed to be something that’s unlikely to be used in that context to avoid confusion…”

Hermouthdropsopen,andI’munabletostopthebarkoflaughterfromescapingme.

“Nothinglikewakinguptosomefreshfruit,”Isay.Whatshedoesn’trealizeisGeminiismoreunpredictablethansheis, butnowthathehasanideafirmlyprintedinhisbrain,he’sprobablynotgoingtostopuntilheseesitcometo fruition Laughingharder,IturntoGemini,onlytofindhimlookingatmelike I’m thecrazyone.

But he’s not the one who’ll let his intrusive thoughts take life, and now he has a person a nobody to take those thoughtsouton.

Stillsmiling,Iturnbacktoher.“Ifyouwantasafeword,youcanhaveone.Aone-timeonlysafeword.Youcaneven chooseit,although,asGeminisays,youneedtomakesureit’snotsomethingthatwillcomeupincontext”

“You’rereallygoingtoletmehaveasafewordandbeabletouseit?”sheasksindisbelief. “Yes”It’sRoyalwhoanswers Iturntofindhimglaringatmelikehe’sdaringmetosayotherwise.

“Unlessyoudon’t ”

“Dinosaur,”sheblurtsout. Iraisemyeyebrowsatthatone.

“Andyou’regoingtohonorthat?”There’shopeinhervoice

Whatis supposed tocomeoutofmymouthis,‘Iguesswe’llhavetofindoutwhenthetimecomes,’butthatisn’teven closetowhatIsay

“Yes.”

Tori

“T

hen,ifyou’vedecidedyou’restaying,I’lltakeyoutoyourroom.”

Synpushes his chair outandstands As usual,he’s dressedimpeccably Eventhoughit’s a Sundayevening,he’s still wearingsemi-formal clothing: darkpantsandadarkgreenshirtwiththefirstfew buttonsopened,revealingsomeofhis upperchest

HisclothingfitshimsoperfectlythatIhavenodoubtit’salltailor-madetofithislong,leanbody.I’mnotsureI’veever seenhiminsomethingcasual,butatthispoint,itwouldprobablylookstrangeonhimanyway.

Ijustcan’tdecideifhelooksmorelikealittleboyplayingdress-uporapompousass.ParticularlynexttoRoyal,inhis tightjeans,orGeminiinhisblackhoodieandrippedjeans.

AlthoughRoyalandGeminiremainseated,IfollowSyn’slead,pickingupmybagandcoatasIstand

The act of Syn showing me to my roomseems to have some significance that I’mnot even sure I want to go into, especiallysinceRoyalandGeminidon’tcomewithuswhenIfollowSynoutthedoor Withlargestrides,notcaringhoworif I’mkeepingup,Synleadsmealittlefurtherdownthehalltoanotherstairway. Thisonegoesdown.

The interior designer who worked on this place went wild with the monochrome theme, even in the basement. Underground, there’s a whole other level that’s beendecorated so consistentlywithupstairs, thatit’s onlymissingwindows alludingtothisevenbeingthebasementlevel

The first door we pass is made entirely of glass, and behind it, there’s a gym. James Keyingham University has a basketball team, and to the southofthe campus, bythe maingates, is the stadium There’s also a sports center witha fully equippedgym,butclearly,atleastoneofthesethreedoesn’twanttoworkoutwithotherpeople.

Thenexttwodoorsarewoodenandclosed.Attheendofthehall,isanarchway. Only,whenSynstepsthroughandmovestotheside,Irealizeit’saroomwithnodoor Theroomissmall aboutthesamesizeastheoneinmymom’sapartmentbackinNew Jersey buttheproblemisn’t thelackofspace

It’sthelackofanything.

Thefloor,likeinthehall,iswhitemarble Thewallsarethesameslategray Whilethereis,miraculously,awindow, it’saslitatthetopofthewall.Bigenoughforsomenaturallighttogetin,butifit did open,it’snotbigenoughformetoclimb through.

Althoughgiventhelackofadoor,nooneseemsworriedaboutmetryingtoescape Underneaththewindow,pushedagainstthewall,isametaltableandmatchingchair bothastarkcontrasttotheoneI’d beensittinginupstairs

EventhoughIknow whathisresponseisgoingtobe,IturnbacktoSyn.“Iknow youthinkmybrotherandIsomehow managetosharethesamebody,butevenprisoncellshaveabed”

“Butyoudo.”Withagrin,whichispositivelyevil,Synstepstotheside. Behindhim,onthefloor,isabed.

Adogbed

Admittedly,it’s probablybigenoughfor a GreatDane to sleep in, butit’s still a dogbed, nonetheless.And while the baseissomewhatpadded,therearenoblankets

“Inthishouse,petsarenotallowedonfurniture,unlesspermittedbytheirowners.Ifyoudon’tlikeit,youcanleave.” Hecockshishead,lookingmeupanddown.“Thoughyourchancetodosowithoutbreakingthetermsofyourcontracthave longsincepassed…”

“You’reanasshole,”Ihissathim.

Heraisesahandandwaveshisindexfingerfromsidetoside “Sir Youareanasshole, sir ”WhenIjustglareathim,he smiles.“Yourclotheswillbeprovidedtoyoueveryeveningforthefollowingday.”

Thenheturnsandleaves

Istandthere,staringattheemptydoorway,longafterhisfootstepshavefaded.

Mybodyisasstillasastatue,butinsidemyhead,mythoughtsarewhirringaroundsofastthatIfeellikeeachoneisa mosquitoswarmingaroundme.ThethoughtsItakecareoffirst,pluckingoutoftheswarmandsquashingthembeforetheycan

latchintome,aretheonesyellingtogetout.

Despitemyattemptstoconvincehimotherwise,Synhatesme.

Inhis mind,I’msurehesees meas Cole’s proxy,whichmeans everythinghewants todotomybrother,he’s goingto takeoutonme.

Thesoundofmyphonevibratinginmypocketbringsmebacktoreality,andIhoistmybagfurther upmyshoulder so I’mabletoreachintothepocketofthecoatdrapedovermyarm.

It’samessagefromPenny

Beforereplying,ImoveovertothetablesoIcansetmybagdownontopofit,andhandmycoatoverthebackofthe chair.ThenIopenhermessage.

Penny:YouOK?Who’dyougetroomedwith?

Iglance around the room notbecause Ithinksomeone is watching, butto make sure I’ve notbeenhallucinatingmy currentsituation andthenIstareatthekeyboardonmyphone I’mnotsurewhatmyansweristothat I’mnotnot OK ButI’m alsohardlyin5-Staraccommodations.

IfItoldPennywhatwasgoingon,I’msureshe’dbebreakingdownthedoor,becauseifthiswasher,andifIfoundout she’dbeengivenadogbedtosleepin,I’ddothesamething.

ButIdon’twanttolie.

EversinceColewasarrested,it’sfeltlikeeverythingisalie Liespileduponlies Somearesmall,andsomearesobig, IfeellikeI’mbeingcrushedbythem.

Idon’twanttoaddmoreofthattomylife

Tori:I’mnotindorms.I’mstayinginDenaliHouse.

Penny:DenaliHouse?Syn’shouse???

Tori: Yeah But,iftherewasever goingtobeanyevidenceofanything,it’sgoingtobehere Yay me?

Her first response was instant, but nothing comes for the second. I’m not complaining, because at least there’s no questionsthatIcan’tanswer ButI’malsocertainshe’scraftingsomekindofresponse

Islipthephoneintothebackpocketofmyjeans,andthenIturnaround.Fromthisangle,theroomlooksnobetter,but fightmodeiskickingin

Evenbefore Iwentto Synto askhimto letme initiate into the Elite, Iknew withouta shadow ofa doubt, thatifhe agreed,thiswasn’tgoingtobeeasy.ButfromthemomentheannouncedtothecollegewhoIwas,mylifehadhardlybeena picnic.Hell,ithadsuckedsinceColewasarrested.

Thecontract,theNDA,everythingSynhadsaidanddoneupuntilnow everythinghasbeencleverlywordedtosuggest that,ultimately,hewasn’tgoingtobesatisfieduntilthingswereeven

DoIthinkhe’scapableofkillingme?

Yes fromthemomenthewrappedhishandsaroundmyneckinthelibrary

However,Ialsofeellikehewouldn’tgothatfar,ifonlybecausehe’ssupposedlyonthatpresidentialtrack,andwhile thegeneral publichasseenalotofcorruptionfromcertainpresidentsover theyears,actual murder isprobablycrossingthe line

Unlessitcomesoutafter.

Butrunningforpresidentisn’tgoingtobeeasyfromaprisoncell

DoIthinkhe’smorelikelytotormentmetothepointI’ddoitmyself?

Ilookaroundtheroomandsigh

Probably.

Only,whatSyndoesn’trealizeisthatjustbecauseI’mnotlashingouteverytimesomethingfuckeduphappenstome,it doesn’tmeanI’mweakandclosetobreaking

Irealizenowsomethinghaschanged.

RightupuntilIwalkedintothisroom,mygoalwastofindwhateverevidenceIcouldtoproveColewasinnocentand forceSyntoapologizeandaskformyforgiveness.

Now?

Now,Iwantmore.

As muchas mypresentlivingconditions suck, I’minside this house. And Iknow this house has more thanone secret hiddenwithinitswalls ThethingsI’veseenSyndoarejustthetipoftheiceberg Iletmyresolvecoolmyburningirritation,thenIleavetheroomSyn’sgivenmesoIcanexplore.

Lastnight ormoreaccurately,thismorning aftergettingbackfromTori’sinitiation,SynletGeminiwalkintothehouse, butbeforeIcouldfollow,Syngrabbedmebythescruffofthecollarandshovedmeupagainstthesideofthehouseashe slammedthedoorshut.

“Ifyouneedtoscratchanitchandhaveyourdickineveryoneofherholes,youdothat,butdon’tyoudare forgetthatJP wasyourbrotherasmuchasmine.”

Synhasthisabilitytoturnonthecharmandletthisalmostmagneticappealoozeoutofhimwithsuchease,thatifyou didn’tknow him,youwouldn’tbeabletotell there’s absolutelynosinceritybehindit.Withhis looks,especiallyhis perfect smile,I’veneverdoubtedthathe’sgotwhatittakestonotonlybeapolitician,buttoalsotakehimselfallthewaytotheWhite House evenifthat’snotwhathereallywants

Eventhoughhewasn’thurtingmeasheheldmeupagainstthewall,thatwasthefirsttimeI’veeverseenthatdarkside turnonme

Synwasright.

JPwasfamily.IwasclosertohimthanI’deverbeenwithanyofmybrothers,andIstillfeelhisloss.

When the former Elite president, Preston du Pont, announced Gem and I would be vice president this year, I was worriedaboutmovingintothishouse.Theresultshadn’tevenbeenasurprise.Sincemyfreshmanyear,IknewSynwouldbe theElite’spresident,andGeminiandIwouldbetherebyhisside

Yetsomehow,themomentitwasmadeofficial totherestofthesociety,atleast therealityofmovingintothehouse thatJPoncelivedinbecamereal

I’dneverevenvisitedJPwhilehewasatcollege,andIdon’tthinkevenSyneverhadthechanceotherthanthedayJP movedin,soI’dneverseenwhatDenaliHouseevenlookedlikethen.

PrestonsaidthebuildinghadbeencompletelyrenovatedoverChristmasbreakafterJP’sdeath Beforethat,itwasstilla housefitforthepresidentandvicepresidentsoftheElite,butafterwards,ithadupgradesandtechthatwouldsurprisealotof people

Prestonsaidhemadesurethedesignerinchargeoftheprojecthadcompletelyalteredeveryroom,includingJP’s.Not toremoveanytraceofhim,butsothatinfuture,whenSynwouldbelivinghere,hewouldn’tfeelhauntedbyhisbrother However,ifthatwasindeedtheintention,itwasahugefailure.

JP’sstillalloverthishouse.

DenaliHouseisuniqueinmanyways,butoneisthedoublestaircaseintheentrance Onthewallsoneithersidehang portraitsofeachoftheformerElitepresidentssinceJamesKeyinghamhimself,thefirst,backinthe1840s.

Hisleadershipwascutshort,butJP’spicturehangsonthewalltoo

WhenIfirstvisitedthishousemyfreshman,sophomore,orjunioryear,IhadtowalkuptheotherstaircasewheneverI hadtogoupstairs Forthefirstfewdaysafterofficiallymovinginthissummer,I’ddonethesame

Only, at the end ofthis hallway, another portrait ofJPhangs onthe wall beside the window that overlooks the back garden.Althoughnoneofushaveevermentionedit,Iknowallthreeofushavestoodinfrontofthatpictureandstaredatit.

Synhasneverspokenaboutanyofit beingonthesamecampus,livinginthesamehouse Afterthefuneral,hebarely mentionedJP’sname.NotuntilhefoundoutToriwascoming.

ThepictureofJPcaptureseverythingthatwaswarmandgoodabouthim whichwasprettymucheverything Hisface wasagoodreminderofallthegoodtimeswe’dhadwhenIwasakid.

Now…

Now,allIseeisguilt.

WhichiswhyIcouldn’tbemadatSynlastnight,evenwhenhepointedoutthathecouldtell how disappointedIwas thathestoppedmefromcominginsideofTori

I’mstillnotmad.

NotatSyn,anyway

I’mmadatthisfuckedupsituation.

AfterSynleftthemeetingroomwithTori,IfollowedGeminiupstairs.Unbotheredbyanything,intrueGeministyle,he announcedhewasgoingtoplayagameanddisappearedintohisroom.

Insteadofgoingintomine,IgotpulledtoJP’sportrait.I’mstillstaringatthedarkwood. Synismybestfriend.

Mybrotherbychoice Andsowas is JP.

Ican’tbetrayeitherofthem Especiallynotforpussy.

Trueloyaltycomesfromthosewhoarefamilybychoice Thelargeryourbankaccount,thelesslikelyitisforawoman tostickaroundlongerthantheminimumtermsonaprenup.Butchosenbrotherswillstickbyyoursidenomatterwhatfucked upshitishappeninginyourlife.

There’snothingthatwouldmakeGeminiorSynturntheirbacksonme ExceptforchoosingatemporaryinfatuationwithVictoriaReynoldsoverthem. OverJP

HourslaterandIstill can’tstopthinkingaboutit.Rubbingmyhandovermyface,IforcemyselfoutofthetranceI’ve worked myself into and head inside to the gym Basketball season is back, and even if this team will never win the championship,Ishouldreallybetrainingasoftenaspossible.

Althoughmymindisn’treallyfocusedonmyworkout,Idon’tstopmovinguntilI’vefinallydecidedwhatIneedtodo. InteractionwithTorionlyneedstohappenwhenSynorGeminiarearound Besides,whenitcomestonew,shinyobjects,thisonewilltarnishsoonanyway.

FinallydecidingtogiveupontheruseoftrainingIglanceatmyphoneandseethatSyn’scalledameetingafterdinnerto announcethestartofTori’sinitiation.

Insteadofgoingtothedininghall,Syndecidedtonight,Seamuswasgoingtocook.Usually,Seamusdoesn’tworkona Sunday,butsinceToriwasmovingin,Synsaidheneededtobehere.

Theguy’skindacreepy,buthe can cook.

Andtonight,IcansmellsomethingdeliciouswhenIheaddownintothekitchen

Seamusisattheisland,intheprocessofservingupthefood,butwhatI’mnotexpectingisSynintheretoo.Ontherare occasionwe’veeatenhereoverthelastfewmonths,Synhasalwaysbeenseatedatthetable,waitingtobeserved Instead,he’sontheothersideoftheisland.

TalkingtoTori.

“…lastthingI’d ever tellyoutodo,iscook.”

“WorriedI’mgoingtopoisonyouroatmeal?”

SynlookslikehecansmelladogfartandnotthecitrusaromaoftheDuckàl'Orange “Iwouldratherhireadrunk,truck stopdivebarcookthaneatanythingyouserved.”

“Initiatesdon’tcook,”Isay,walkingover “WehaveMichelinstarredchefsworkinginthedininghall”

Tori looks atme, her lips pressed together. I’mnotsure what’s happened, butthere’s a lookinher eyes. I’ve seenit before,thoughnotonher.Whenplayingbasketball,andthere’sonlyafew secondsontheclock,andallit’sgoingtotakefor the other teamto beat us is a 3-pointer every player gets this look in their eyes like they’re going to buckle down and somehowwinthegame.

Theyrarelydo

“Starting tomorrow, you will be at the dining hall before every meal to have our table ready for us, and like every initiate, youwill serve us personally Seeingas we will not know whenwe want to eat, youwill be there the moment the dininghallopens.Noexceptions.”

Tori stares atSyn, frowningslightly, like she’s expectinga catch. Thenher eyes widen. “There are days whenIhave classesbeforethelunchanddinnerservicesstart”

Synfolds his arms. “Youwanted to jointhe Elite. Itold youthatinitiations ended lastnight, and thatifyouwere to proceed,youwoulddothisalone Initiatesarerequiredtoservethepresidentialpartyateverymeal”Hecockshishead “Or didyoufailtonoticethatwhenyouwerebusydoingdishes?”

Besideher,Torisqueezesherhandsintofists,butSyn’sstaringatherfaceanddoesn’tseemtonotice

“Fine,”shesaysthroughgrittedteeth.

“Theyalsocleanedthishouse,daily.”SynturnshisheadafractiontowardsSeamus.“Goodnews,Moran,yourfull-paid lightdutieshavebeenextended”

Tori’sknucklesarewhite.“Fine.”

ThecoldsmileslipsfromSyn’sface “Fine, what?”

“Fine, sir. ”

Syntakesasteptowardsher,andI’mabouttostretchmyarmbetweenthetwoofthem,butGemini’svoicemakesusall pause.

“Whichtaxbracketdidwefallintotoeatinthekitchen?”

Steppingback,SynlooksoveratGeminiandscoffs.“Taxbracket?Mywatchisworthmorethanataxbracket.” Honestly, I know fuck all about taxes and zero interest in learning. That’s the accountant’s job, not mine. But the MagsonicSonnerieTourbillononSyn’swristisworthabouthalfamillion “Dinnerisreadytobeserved,Mr.Keyingham,”Seamussays.

Syn starts to turn towards the door, but he stops and focuses his attention back on Tori “Initiates do not eat in this house.” He glances briefly at Gemini before drawing in a resigned breath. “But as you are living here, I’m making an exception Tonight,you’repermittedtoeatinyourroom Afteryoueat,youwillcleanthekitchen Fromtomorrowon,youwill eatinthedininghall… after wehavebeenserved.”

Shelooksstunned,butI’mnotsurewhy.

Attheendoftheday,shewantedtojointheElite,andthisisexactlywhatalltheotherinitiateshadtodo

Thenagain,IwasexpectingsomethingmorefromSyn,somaybeshewastoo.

She’s not my concern

Synprobablytoldhimnottospeaktome,butthecreepybutlerguyproceedstoignoremeashepicksuptheplatesand followsSyn,RoyalandGeminioutofthekitchen

There’soneplateoffoodleftonthekitchenisland,anditlooksidenticaltothethreeplatesthatjustlefttheroom. I’mnotsureifit’smineorifitbelongstotheguy didSyncallhimMoran?

There are several pans and dishes onthe side, butnone ofthemhave food inthemanylonger. Chances are thatplate belongstothebutler,andI’mgoingtohavetomakemyownmeal,so,becauseIneedtocleanupanyway,Igatherupthebigger dishesandsetthemsoakinginthesink.

Thekitchenis enormous andlooks likesomethingstraightoutofashowroom thekindthatshows people everything theycouldpossiblyhaveintheirkitchen

Synwasrightbefore.Ican’tcook,buttheideaofusingthiskitchenmakesmewanttolearn.Underothercircumstances, I’dlookupsomerecipes,butI’mnotdoingthatforhim

NotthatitsoundslikeI’mgoingtohavemuchfreetimeanyway.

I’llsacrificesleepifitmeansIhavesometimetosearchthishouseforthesecretshiddenhere.

I’mbusyloadingsomeofthedishesintothedishwasherwhenthebutlerwalksbackin.

“That’syours.”

Straightening,Ifindhimpointingattheplateoffood “Thankyou” Hestartstoturn,andIrushovertotheisland.

“Wait Ididn’tgetyourname”

“SeamusMoran.”

“Haveyouworkedherelong?”

“Yes”

Thisguyhasthepersonalitylikethemarblefloor:coldandflat.

“Whenwillyoubeback?”Iask IfIcangethimtowarmuptome,maybehecantellmesomething

Seamusdragshisgazeoverme,andforthefirsttime,itfeelslikehe’sreallylookingatme.There’saslightsneeronhis lipsashemeetsmyeyes “Mr Keyinghamwillcallmewhenhe’sdonewithyou” “Didyouknowhisbrother?”Iblurtout.

Ifigureit’dprobablybequickertostartafirebyrubbingtwowetstickstogetherthantryingtowarmhimup,soifhe’s notcomingback,thismaybemyonlychance

“Inthisworld,therearepeoplewhocanaskquestions,andtherearepeoplewhoshouldrealizethatanswerscomeata costthatfew canafford to pay Iwould appreciate itifyoudidn’tburnthis house downthis week I’ll be busyenoughnext weekend,cleaningupafteryou.”Withthat,heleaves,closingthedoorbehindhim.

Slumpingagainsttheisland,Iblowoutabreath

I’monlyleavingherebynextweekendifI’vefoundwhatIneed.

AlthoughthedinnerlooksdeliciousandIamhungry,IfinishloadingthedishwasherandwipethesidesdownbeforeI pickuptheplateandsomecleancutlery

WhenIreachmyroom,Iwalkovertomydesk,butasIgetclose,myphonevibrates.Settingtheplatedown,Ipullout mychairandthensit,beforetakingmyphonefrommybackpocket

I’mexpectingthemessagetobefromPenny,butit’sfromanumberIdon’trecognize.Idon’tneedtorecognizeit.

All initiates must download the Elite App.

Insteadofclickingonthelink,Isuckinadeepbreathandholditforamoment.Afterreleasingit,Ireachformybagand pulloutmycharger

The phone Ihave is the same one Ihad whenwe losteverything. Sure, it’s aniPhone, butit’s atthe stage where the batteryonlylastsadayifIdon’tuseit.Onceit’scharging,Iclickthelinkanddownloadtheapp.

TheappisalmostidenticaltotheJKUFacultyAppthat’sstillonmyphonefromwhenIworkedatthedininghall.Only, afteracoupleofminutestoload,whenthisappopens,itsomehowseemstoknowit’sme.Mynameisintheprofilesettings.

Ihavenoideahow,butatthispoint,Idon’tevencare. I’mdistractedbythefirstnotificationthatpopsup.

Your clothes are in the bathroom Be ready for 8

BeforeIwentupstairsearlier,Iwentintoeveryroominthebasement Asidefromthegym,therewasautilityroomwith awasheranddryer,afurnaceroomwhichisthesourceofthethrummingthatIcanhearthroughthewalls,andabathroom.

Thebathroomwasmoreofashowerroomoffthegym,butsincethisroomalsohaditsdoorremoved,Ifiguretheguys wouldbeheadingupstairsafteraworkout

Pursingmylips,Irereadthemessage,andthensetthephonedown.IhavealittleoveranhourbeforeI’mneeded,and I’drathereatbeforeIgofindoutwhat’sinstoreforme SynimpliedI’dbeabletoeatbutgivenhowupuntillastweekhehad meeatingonlysmallportionsofrice,Iwasn’treadytotrustthatmymealswouldn’tberestrictedagain.

Seamuswasagoodcook.

Maybe he didn’thave some world-renowned training, butthe duckwas delicious, and honestly, notso differentfrom whatwasservedinthedininghall.Besides,whenIworkedinthekitchensandaskedwhotheMichelinStarredchefswere,I was told itwas never the chefawarded the stars, butthe restaurant, and the meals served atJKUwere made withthe best ingredients,butthesedisheswerefarlesscomplexthanwhatwasrequiredforthatgrading.

Eventhoughthechefshereknewthat,itseemedtobesomethingtheuniversityadministrationchosetoignore Ifinished mymeal thengrabbed some painkillers frommybagbefore headingto the bathroom. The ones Ihad taken earlierwerewearingoff,andIwasstartingtofeelsoreagain.

Thebathroomwas aboutthesizeoftheroomI’dbeengiventosleepin.Inhere,themarbleflooringalsocoveredthe walls.Takinguphalfofthe roomwas a walk-inshower withthree differentshowerheads.Ieyedthemwarily,wonderingif dyeblockshadbeenhiddeninthemtoo

Alongwithatoilet,sink,andalargemirrorwithastone-lookingbenchinfrontofit,therewasatowelwarmerhanging fromthewall,withblacktowelsalreadyonthem I’dsniffedthemearlier,andtheysmelledclean,butI’llremainsuspiciousof everythingwhileI’minthishouse.

Sinceinvestigatinglasttime,theroom’sgainedacoupleofnew additions.Onthesink,there’satrayofcosmeticsand hairproducts.Hangingnexttothemirrorisafull-lengthgarmentbag.

This universityrequires students towear a uniform.I’msure it’s probablyone ofthe onlycolleges inthe countrythat does,yetthatdidn’tstoptheadministrationfromenforcingthatdecision Thewebsitesaidsomethingaboutpreparingusforthe realworldwherewe’dbeexpectedtodressappropriatelyforthesetting.

Thatseemssomewhatofafarcetomeconsideringtheonlyoneonthewholecampuswho’sbeenwearingtheuniform exactly howitwastailoredisme.Everyoneelsehadpersonaltailorstweakingandalteringeachitemtotheirpersonaltastes.

EvenPenny, who has a thingfor pink, had her uniformaltered to include hot pinkdetails. It’s cute and fits withher personalitycompletely

Giventhatit’saSunday,I’msurethegarmentbagdoesn’tholdmyuniform andgodknowswhatSynwouldhavedone toit

WhichiswhyI’msomewhathesitantopeningthebag.

WhenservingSyn,RoyalandGemini,theinitiatesworeamaidorbutleroutfit TheguyslookedlikeanymaîtreDina high-endestablishment,whereasthegirlsworeclothingthatwasmoreliketheHalloweencostumeversionofamaid.Fitted, lowcut,andwithshortskirts.

Tobefair,theylookedgoodinthem,andwhileImightnothavechosentowearittomeetmyfuturehusband’sparents,if youtookthemaidelementoutofit,theclothesweren’tthatmuchdifferentthansomethingthesegirlswouldweartoclubsor parties

ButifitistheHalloweenversion,I’mpreparingmyselfforminetobethepornversion.

SynkeepsaskinghowfarI’dbepreparedtogo,hintingthatwhathehasinstoreformewillpushmepastmylimit Likemurder.

That’stheonethingI’mninety-ninepercentcertainisabluff.

Butanythingelse?

Iknowhewantstohurtme.I’mnotsureifit’sbecausehewantstohurtCole,orbothofus,butsofar,hisM.O.isless hands onand more psychological He’s had plentyofopportunityuntil now to reallycause some damage and have me ina hospital orworse butsomething’sbeenholdinghimback.

Hopefullynot thelackofanNDA…

WhileIwouldn’tsayDenaliHousefeelslikethesafestofplacesIcouldbe,IdofeellikeI’llbeabletowakeupevery morning.

Timeistickingaway,andfornow,mygameplanistobequietandcompliant

WhatIneednowistime.

Justenoughtobeabletosearcheveryinchofthishouseforthesecretsitholds. Learneachoneoftheunwrittenrulesinplaceforinitiates,andthenalltheadditionaloneshehasforme.

And then I’llgetawaywithpoisoninghisoatmeal

Thegarmentbagopenssmoothly,andasIstareatthecontents,myheadleanstotheside.Tentatively,Ipullthedressout, wonderingifit’spossibletohallucinatefeelingsomethingaswellasseeingit

AsItakethegarmentbagoffthewallsoIcangetthedressoffthehangermoreeasily,Idiscoverthere’sabaghanging onthehookbehind It’soneofthosemadefromstiffpaperthatmosthigh-endbrandsuse,butthisoneisblackwiththestore namescrawledacrossitinfancylettering.

Afterlayingthedressoverthebench,Ipullthebagdownandlookinside.Highheelswiththeunmistakableredsolesof Louboutin Althoughthey’renotinabox,I’mcertainthesearebrandnew Nexttothemisablacklacebraandpantyset NowI’msurethere’sacatch.

ButbythetimeI’vedressed,andI’mstaringatmyappearance,I’venotworkedoutwhatitis

The dress is black, and surprisingly, the material is thick. I was sure the dress would end up being see-through, or feelinglikeitwasgoingtofallapartattheseamswithonewrongmove

Instead,thisdressfitslikeaglove.It’sformfittingandclingstomelikeasecondskin.Althoughsleeveless,thestraps arechunky.Thenecklineisalittleonthelowside,butit’ssquareandstillrespectable.Theonlyreallyrevealingaspecttoitis theslitthatgoesfromthebottomoftheknee-lengthskirttomid-thigh

The bra fits perfectly, yetitirks me thatSynknows mysize. The same applies to the shoes, which, like a good shoe does, makes my legs look long and lean In high school, back when we had money, I wore designer clothes all the time, includinghighheels,butthesearefourinchesandstiletto.

MaybeSynwantstoseemefallandbreakmyankle.

He’dprobablystillexpectmetoservehimwithmyfootinacast…

After doingmyhair andmakeup,Itakeonelastlookatmyappearance,andI’mstill surprisedIlookthisgood even withthedogcollarwrappedaroundmyneck

Whichnowbegsthequestionof,whatthehelldoesSynhaveplannedfortonight?

TherewerenoinstructionsgivenonwhereIneededtobe,soatfiveminutestoeight,Igotothefrontdoorandstandthere.

It’searlyNovember,sooutside,thetemperaturehasdropped,andI’mstandingneartheonlyventpumpingwarm airintothehallway.Mycoatdisappearedatsomepoint,andthere’snobagprovidedformetoputmyphonein,soI’ve shovedthatintomybra

AtwhatI’msureisexactlyeighto’clock,Syn,Royal,andGeminidescendthecurvedstaircaselikethisissomereverse teenromcom,andthey’realldressedupforprom.

EventhoughSynusuallywearsmoreformalclothesofthesethree,tonight,he’sgotasuiton,anditalmostpainsmeto admithowgoodhelooksinitdespitetheredflagsdancingallaroundhim.

Royalisbehindhim,andwithonesmile,thisguyturnsintoaDisneyprince Puthiminformalwear,andevenIwould consider droppingmypantiesfor him.Again.Thisonehasheldthetitleofmostdesirableguyoncampus,for several years, andagain,annoyingly,Icanseewhy

Butofthethree,it’sGeminiwhohasmedoingadoubletake.

Theremightbeacollegeuniform evenifitcanbepersonalized butsayingGeminidancesthelineofwhatthatshould beisbeinggenerous.IcancountononehandthenumberoftimesI’veseenhimwearanythingotherthanrippedskinnyjeans. Andevenearlierintheyear,whenitwasmuchwarmer,hisfacewasstillhiddenintheshadowsofahood.

Tonight,justliketheothers,he’swearingasuit There’snotiearoundhisneck,andthereareenoughbuttonsleftundone onhisshirtformetohalf-wonderiftheyweremissedwhentheshirtwasmade.Butwithhischinlengthhairpulledbackintoa stumpyponytailonthetopofhishead,hesomehowseemslikeacompletelydifferentperson

PennytoldmehewasadoptedfromAsiawhenhewasababy.Apparently,hismothermadeabigdealaboutsavinghim andhissister adoptedlaterfromanothercountry fromalifeofpovertyanddestitution.He’sgotbeautiful,darkeyesthatare deep-setbeneathamonolid,hischinispointed,andhehascheekbonestructureIknowalotofpeoplewoulddiefor

If Synwalks around campus like he’s the one incharge, and Royal struts like a peacock, well aware of how goodlookingheis,thenGemini’swholeauraisnotthathedoesn’tgiveafuck,butthathedoesn’tseemtonoticeanythingaround him.

Butregardlessofhowattractiveanddesirabletheseguysare,it’ssimplybecausemostpeopledon’treallyknowthem Inaway,they’relikecelebrities,andreally,theonlythingweknowaboutthesepeopleiswhatthey choose tosharewiththe world.Yourfavoritecelebritycouldbeanutterasshole,butyou’dneverknowiftheyonlyshowtheirbestsides.

Andtheseguys

TopTierAssholes.

Syngetstothebottomofthestairsandthenstops,dragginghisgazeupanddownmybody Hiseyeszeroinonmychest, andhesneers.“Didyoushoveyourphoneintoyourbra?”Withoutwaitingforananswer,heholdshishandout.“Giveit.” Ihesitate NotbecauseIcareaboutstickingmyhandintomybrainfrontofthem,butifIhandmyphoneover,willIget itback?Atthispoint,there’snothingofsentimentalvalueonitthatisn’tbackeduptotheCloud,butthatphoneismylifeline.

“Youwantmetogetitforyou?”Geminiasksmewithaunrulygrin,asthoughthatmightlightenthemood.

Stickingmyhandintomydress,Iwrapmyfingersaroundmyphoneandthenpullitout ButIdon’thanditovertoSyn Syncockshishead.“Areyouplanningonusingthattorecord?Hopingtofindsomesordidorillicitsoundbitetoshare withFoxNews?”

Thethoughthadcrossedmymind,butthebatterylifeonmyphoneissobad,itwouldprobablydiebeforeitrecorded anythingusefulanyway.

“Ordoyouthinkthatifyoudial911,helpwillcome?” Marchingover,Islamthephoneintohispalm,buthedoesn’tevenflinch.

I’mexpectinghimtoputitinhispocket,buthebarelylooksatitashetossesitontotheantiquesideboardthat’spushed upagainstthewall.

“Incaseithasn’tbeenmadeclearenoughtoyoubynow,themomentyouwalkedthroughthatdoor,weownedyou Your deludedlittlefantasyofbecomingamemberoftheEliteisveryreal,andevenifyourchancesarevirtuallyimpossible,ifyou wantanyhopeofsuccess,youneedtograspthatfactveryquickly.”

I’vemademymotivescleartoSynastowhyI’mhere,buthe’sspeakingtomelikeI’mtryingtofindafuturehusband.I

wonderifhe’sdoingsobecausehewantstogetareactionoutofme,buthe’snotgettingone.

Likeademurewoman,IkeepmyhandsclaspedlooselyinfrontofhimandkeepmyeyesonhimlikeI’menthralledby everywordhespeaks Syn’sjawtightens.

“RegardlessofwhetheryouareamemberoftheElite,oraninitiatedestinedforfailure,youarearepresentativeofthis society.Sowhileyouarelivinginthishouse,youwill notleaveyour roomwearinganythingother thanwhatisprovidedto you, nor withoutyour hair and makeup done Youwill never walkinfrontofor beside us Youwill notspeakuntil you’re spokento,andyouwillalwaysdo exactly whatyou’retold.”

Syntakesastepforwardandgrabsmycollar.

Catchingme off-guard, Iwobble inthe delicate heels, myhands, automaticallyreachingup to grab his wristbefore I losemybalance.

“Dogsthatarenotobedientwillbepunished,andthosethatattacktheirownerswillbeputdown”Henarrowshiseyes “Doyouunderstand?”

“Yes,sir,”Isay,fightingtokeepmytonecompliant,likeIdon’thaveanissuewithhimgrippingthecollarthewayheis Heletsgoandthenstepsaroundme.“Themeetingstartsatnine.Donotmakeuslate.”

Iturnjustashereachesthefrontdoorandwalksoutside,leavingthedoorwideopen.

Royalsucksinabreath,andthenhewalkspastmewithoutgivingmeasecondlook,followingSynoutside Gemini,ontheotherhand,walksuptome,peeringcloselyatmyface.“Idon’tthinkSyn’sgotthatright.Aboutyoubeing adog”Hetiltshisheadbutdoesn’ttakehiseyesoffme “You’vegotsomethingwilderinyou Iseeit”Hestepsbackanda grinappearsonhisface.“Andyouknowwhat?I’veneverbeenoneforbloodsports,but…I’mhereforthis.”

Iwaituntilhe’swalkedoutofthehousebeforeIfinallyclenchmyhandsintofists.ThenIsuckinadeepbreath,relax myhands,andwalkoutside,pullingthedoorclosedbehindme.

AsIstepdownofftheporch,agolfcartgoespast,drivenbyRoyal.Althoughthere’smorethanenoughspaceformeto jointhem,Royaldoesn’tevenlookatme Instead,allIgetisafingerwavefromGemini

Themainpartofcampuswherethedininghallandmostoftheclassroomsarelocated,sitsonarelativelyflatsurface. ThedormsIusedtolivein,ontheoppositesideofcampus,werebuiltonasteepinclinewithredbrickstepsandstonepaths thatcurvebackandforthforaccessibility.

Onthissideofcampus,therearenosteps.WhileIknowtheuniversitywasbuiltovertwohundredyearsago,andSyn’s golfcartwasnevertakenintoconsiderationbackthen,overhere,therearen’tmanysteps.Instead,pathsswirlbackandforthto createsmootherinclinessostudentscanheaddowntowardstheparkinglot,oruptowardsthechurch.

“Hurryup,”Synyells

Thegolfcartisn’tthatfarinfrontofme.Havingseenthemziparoundthecampuslikethey’recompetinginaMario-kart race,IknowRoyalisdrivingslowly ButIalsoknowit’snotslowenoughthattheyexpectmetobeabletocatchupandjump onunlessIstartrunning.

Andrunningisnothappeningintheseheels.

Instead,withmyarmswrappedaroundmyself,mutteringcursesunder mybreath,IwalkasfastasIcan,uphill,inthe outfitI’vebeenprovided.Bythetimewegettothechurch,I’msurethere’sablisteronthebackofmyheelandjustinfrontof eachbigtoe Myexposedskiniscoldtothetouch,butthankfully,thewalkhaswarmedmeupenoughthatIdon’treallyfeel thatcold.

The clock on the church says 8:55 as I walk inside, a few paces behind Syn, Royal and Gemini Inside, it’s empty, althoughlightsareoninthealcoves.Wewalkstraightdownthecenteraislethentakealefttothedoorinthecorner.

The church was the first building constructed on campus and is run by a pastor who is more than likely not in the buildingwhenpeopleareinneedofhim It’ssupposedlypresbyterian,althoughI’dbesurprisediftherewasanyoneoncampus whoattendedforgenuinereligiouspurposes.Asidefromthefaculty’sWelcomeMixer,theonlytimeI’veeverseenthisplace usedisforparties

Andbelow…

Moreparties,drugs,alcohol,fights,andorgies

Therearetwolevelsbelow thechurch,buttoday,whateverwe’redoing,it’sbeingheldonthemiddlelevel.I’veonly managedtodoalittlesnoopingdownhere,soIknowthere’sasecurityroom,buttherearealsoafewotherdoorsI’veyetto lookbehind

Themainpartofthechurchprobablyhasmanyoriginalfeaturesfromwhenitwasbuilt,withmoderntechnologyadded discreetly Ican’tsayIhaveaninterestinchurchinteriors,butitlookslikealotofotheroldchurchesbuiltinthispartofthe countryatthattime.Almostunidentifiablytimeless.

Below,withthe stairs andhallwayencasedinstone,itsomehow feels like we’ve traveledbackmuchfurther intime. AndthecryptonthelowerlevelcouldhavebeentakenfromanyancientEuropeancityandtransportedhere.

So,I’mnotsurewhattoexpectoftheroomSynleadsusto.

Thedoubledoorslooklikeoriginals,butwhenRoyalpushesbothopen,I’mgreetedwithwarmthandlight. Andaroomfullofpeople.

ConversationsstopabruptlyasSynstridesinwithhisheadheldhigh,andatfirst,peopleturnintheirseatstostareat him.There are a mixture ofexpressions inthe room. Afew lookathiminawe, and some have trained themselves to show nothing,butmosteyesgowide,andanumberofAdam’sapplesbobupanddown

Ashewalkspastthem,onlycursoryglancesareshotatRoyalandGemini althoughmostaremuchmorefavorablethan thelooksdirectedatSyn mostoftheattentionstartstoturntome

Icometoastoponlyafewpacesintotheroom,myheartbeatingsoloudly,thatitfeelslikeithasmovedtomyears. Behindme,someoneleavesthebackrowandshutsthedoors,cagingmeintoaroomfullofdeadlyanimals.

Everyyear,theEliteallowsupto16studentstojoin.Overthelastfewmonths,I’velearnedwhoeveryoneis,andIknow there’sonlyjustoversixtypeopleinthisroom,butrightnow,itfeelslikethreetimesthatnumber

Atthefrontoftheroom,Syn’seyesnarrow,andwiththesmallestjerkofhischin,indicateshewantsmeupthere withhim

HopinghownervousIamiswellhidden,IstraightenmybackandwalkdownthecenteraislelikeIhavetheconfidence ofamodelonarunwayduringNewYorkFashionWeek.

IwalkpastSyn,makingsureI’mafewpacesbehindhimbeforeIturntofacetheroom.

I’msurethatofallthecollectivethoughtsrunningthroughtheirminds,notasingleoneispositivetowardsme.

Inthismoment,IdecideI’mnotgoingtolowermygazelikeplanned Instead,I’mgoingtolookeachandeveryoneof themintheeye.

It’ssurprisinghowfewofthemmeetmystare

Despitemymovement,theroomremainssilent.NotevenSynspeaks. Untilajunior,Pepper-Rose,sticksherhandintotheair.

“Yes,”Synsays.

Pepper-Annstands.“Whyisshehere?”

Syninhales,glancingatthefacesinfrontofhimbeforeheturnshisheadafractioninmydirection “Oh,youmeanher” AlthoughI’dlovenothingmorethantostepforwardandsmackhimupsidethebackofthehead,Ikeepmyhandsclasped looselytogether,andmyexpression,pleasant “Thisisournewestinitiate.”

Synhasthemwelltrainedbecausetheroomremainssilent. Eitherthat,ortheythinkthisisajoke “Astheusualprogramforinitiationshasended,thisisaspecialcase.”

The first hand goes up, and after Syn’s nod, a senior named Rich stands He folds his arms, shooting me a look of suspicionbeforelookingbacktoSyn.“She’sthesisteroftheguywhokilledyourbrother.” “Thankyouforyourastuteobservation,Brentwood”

“Whythehellwouldyouletthat in?

“Ihaven’tlether in.I’veallowedher totrytopass theinitiation.”Syn’s voiceis cold,butRichstill doesn’tsitback down “Youcan’tdothat.”

Syn’svoicedropsdangerouslylow “Ialreadyhave”

Ican’tquiteseeSyn’sfacefromthisangle,butRichfinallysitsbackdown,althoughhelooksfarfromhappy. Afewrowsinfront,agirlcallsout “Weallhadtogothroughtheinitiationceremony Noneofusaregoingtowantto dothatagain,especiallyifwehavetofuckher.Andsheshouldn’tbeabletogetoutofthat.”

AlthoughI’mnotexactlythrilledattheprospectofhavingtofuckanyofthem,thatcommenthurts.

Hopingthatmomentofweakness wasn’tnoticed, Inarrow myeyes and glower inthe general directionthe voice had comefrom.

“She has alreadybeenthroughthe initiationceremony,” Synsays His voice has takenona bitingtone “And while I can’tsayitwasanythingspecial,youmightwanttoconsideryouropinionofyourself,Sienna.Andlowerit. Considerably. ” I zero inonthe commenter intime to see her eyes widenand her cheeks flame. Evenif it came witha backhanded compliment,I’lltakeit.

Anotherhandshootsup.

“Farley”

Thesophomorestands,shootingmeaslylookbeforeaddressingSyn.“Whatabouttherestoftheinitiation?Isshegoing toberequiredtodowhatwehadto?”

“Ifyouareimplyingthatshe’sgoingtoreceivespecialtreatment,she’shadheroneboon.Yes,Ihaveagreedtolether attempttopasstheinitiationoutsideoftheusualtimeframe,however,whatwasoncesharedbysixteenofyou,willbecarried byheralone.Assuming,ofcourse,noone’sstandardsaretoohigh.”

Fromtheangleofhishead,andthewaySiennaduckedhers,I’msurethatwasdirectedather,butIfeltthebiteofthat too.

Forthelasttwoyears,I’veworkedhardtotrainmyselfintokeepingablankexpression makingsuremyfeelingsand opinionsarenotplasteredovermyface.Rightnow,it’stakingeverythinginmetokeepmyselfexpressionless.

“She’sgoingtobeputinstocksandhavealltheguyslineuptofuckherface?”Pepper-Roseasks “Putoncalltobethe senior’sfucktoy?”

Theroomissilent Everyone’swaitingforSyntoanswer,meincluded Afterseeingthefreshmeninitiations,Iassumeda numberofsexualactswouldberequiredofme,butIneverreallyconsideredwhatthey’dbe.

MaybeI’dnotwantedtoincaseItalkedmyselfoutofthis.

Althoughmyeyes are open, I’mnotseeingthe room Instead, mymind has wandered, and now all Isee is myolder brotherandhowmuchhechangedbetweenhimbeingfreeandthelasttimeIvisitedhiminprison.

Hewouldhavegraduatedlastyear,butinstead,helookedlikehewasinhisthirties Hishairwasatthatlengthwhere it’sclearit’snotafashionchoice,andassomeonewhowouldkeephishairjustlongenoughtostylewithgel,combinedwith thelackofdailyshaving,helookedlikehehadgivenup

Consideringhe’ssentencedtolifeinprisonwithnochanceofparole,Iunderstandwhy.ButIamherebecauseIknow he’sinnocent,andifIcanfindsomewaytoprovethatnomatterhowlongtheprocesstakesforhisappealtogothroughandfor himtobeexonerated,Icanatleastgivehimsomethingtolookforwardtoagain

The idea ofbeinghere as aninitiate seemed impossible onlya couple ofweeks ago, and yet, here Iam. This is my glimmerofhope

Synisgoingtomakethishardforme.There’snodoubtaboutthat.AndevenifIsomehowpassallthetests,Iexpectthat I’llstillbetoldno.

That’sfine.Idon’twanttobeamemberoftheEliteanyway.

Iwanttobeinapositiontofindoutthesecretsthathavebeenburiedwithinthissociety.

Andgiventhatthe only cluemybrothergavemewassomehowcoincidentallytattooedontothebodiesofatleastthree ofthemembersinsidethisroom,I’mgoingtopushmyselfpastwhateverlimitsIhave.

BecauseonceI’mout,everythingislost

“Everyoneinthisroom,”Synsays,finallybreakinghissilenceandmythoughts.“Everyone.Youallanswertome.This is nota committee. This is notevena democracy. And anyone who chooses notto follow myinstructions will violate their contractsandshouldlookforwardtotheconsequencesofthat.”

He’salreadyusedthisthreatonmeseveraltimes,butthereactionfromthemembersinfrontofmeismorenoticeable. Theyhavethingstolose

Noonewantsasextapereleased myselfincluded butmyface,name,andevenreputationhavealreadybeendragged throughthemud,somuchthatthere’slittleofitlefttoclingto

“WhenIsayshe’s our latestinitiate,I’mnotputtingthis uptovote.She’s aninitiateoftheElite.She’ll beheldtothe samestandardsyouwere.She’ll beputthroughthesameinitiationprocessasyou.Theonlydifference…”Heturnshishead justafraction,butit’senoughtomeetmyeyes “Isthatshe’sgoingtohavetodoitall byherself”

Althoughitmightnothavesoundedlikeit,there’sathreatinhiswordsthatsendsashiverdownmyspine. Hesmilesasheseesmyshudder,andthenhelooksbacktohisaudience “Ifyouwanttoseethebenefitsthatbeinginthe Eliteoffersyou bothatJamesKeyinghamUniversity and afteryougraduate thenyou’lldoexactlywhat’sexpectedofyou. Whichincludesshowingthesamelevelofrespecttoherasyoudotoyourfellowmembers”

Iblink,turningmyheadtolookathim,onlyjuststoppingmymouthfromfallingopen. Respect?

Show me,respect?

AndthenSynsmiles.“Atleast,infrontoftherestofthestudentbody.”

Aseaoffacesblurintooneastheyalllookatme,andthereisn’tasinglefriendlyfaceinthecrowd