The creak of the door startles me, and my head snaps over to find a dark, hooded figure in the doorway. Their hood is so low that I have no way of telling who it is.
But I know it's one of them.
When he speaks, it's that weird voice again.
"You need to escape. If you don't, you die, and this is all over."
Without another word, he slams the door closed and we're plunged into darkness once more.
32
Mia
The party goes on around me, but I can’t relax. I haven’t been able to ever since I sent Bexley that text and he didn’t reply.
Sasha insisted I attend the party, so as not to alert Cade to anything.
But I don’t want to be here, smiling, pretending. It’s too much. Especially when I know Bexley and Alex could be in some kind of trouble.
“You need to relax,” Sasha hisses, swaying her hips to the beat. She hasn’t left my side, and I’m thankful. Especially since Brook is here, working the room like she thinks she owns the place. Like she thinks she’s Cade’s prosapia. I want to tell her she’s welcome to him. That she can take my place. But I know it doesn’t work like that. Everyone likes to remind me enough.
“You should take some Xanax, it’ll help you loosen up.”
“No, I’ll be okay.”
“I get it, Mia. You don’t want to break your moral code or whatever. But sometimes, to play with the devil you have to become a sinner.”
“This is enough.” I shake my drink at her, and Sasha rolls her eyes.
“I envy you. So fucking naïve.” She slips a small tin out of her pocket and plucks a small white pill from it. “Last chance.”
I shake my head.
“Suit yourself.” She pops it on her tongue and chases it down with her drink. “Showtime.” Her eyes go to the front door right as Cade enters the house, followed by the other Electi.
A chill goes through me, but no one else seems to feel the ripple in the air. They’re too enamored with their king. Too eager to party with the Electi and live in their world. It’s pathetic really, how quickly people will shed their integrity if they think it’ll help their social status.
The sea of bodies part as Cade makes a beeline for us. “There you are.” He wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me into his side.
“Did you miss me?” His lips graze my neck, and I force down the urge to retch.
“Looking good, Sash,” Ashton says with a lazy smile. “Maybe I’ll break a rule or two tonight and let you ride my dick.”
“Dude, that’s my sister,” Brandon protests, snagging the hand of a passing blonde. He pulls her into his chest and whispers something to her.
“And what did your momma teach you, Brandy boy?” Ashton taps his face. “It’s good to share your toys. What do you say, Sasha?”
“Go fuck yourself, asshole.”
“Ooof, I think she likes me.” He explodes with laughter.
“I’ll be back,” Sasha whispers to me. I want to go after her, but when I catch Channing’s stare he shakes his head. He looks murderous, watching Sasha as she melts into the crowd.
“Hey Cade.” Brook saunters over to us and leans in to kiss his cheek. “You’re looking good.”
“What can I do for you, Brook?”
“Come on, babe. Don’t be like that. It’s been too long since you came over and—"
In one second flat, Cade has his hand wrapped around her throat.
“What did I tell you about coming around to cause trouble? Mia is my girl now… it would serve you right to fucking remember that.”
She claws at his fingers, but he lets her go, shoving her gently.
“What the fuck, Cade?”
“Like you don’t love being choked.”
“Yeah, when she’s sucking dick,” Ashton snorts.
“Nice, Ash. Real fucking nice.”
“You know where my loyalties lie, Sis, and it’s not with you.”
Brook glowers at him. “It’s all her fault.” She sets her sights on me, but Cade pushes me behind him.
“Mia is off limits. I mean it, Brook. Back. The. Fuck. Down.”
“But—"
Cade mouths something, but I can’t make out what it is. Whatever he says has Brook spinning on her heel and disappearing down the hall.
“She’s becoming a nuisance,” Brandon says.
“But even pests have their uses.” Ashton shrugs.
I sip my drink and pretend to be paying them no attention. Cade has me tucked into his arm, furthest away from them.
“Are you sure about this?” Channing asks. “Maybe one of us should…” The music drowns out his voice.
“You need to relax, Chan,” Ashton says. “Everything is under control. For us at least. Man, I’d kill to see—"
“Ash,” Cade barks, and silence falls over them.
“Where the fuck is Tim, anyway?”
“Fawn had an episode again.”
“Fuck.” A heavy sigh leaves his lips. He catches me watching and smirks. “Sorry, babe, are we neglecting you?” His lips graze mine, but then his tongue licks the seam of my mouth, demanding entrance.
I kiss him, hoping if he lets his guard down enough, I’ll find out what they’ve done with Bexley and Alex.
But twenty minutes later, I know nothing… except whatever it is, it’s bad.
Bad enough that Channing and Brandon both seem uneasy. Even if Brandon is dry fucking the blonde against the wall right now.
“I’m going to find Sasha,” I eventually say, hoping he’ll release me from his possession long enough to find her or Annabel.
“Sure, but come back to me,” he teases, his eyes pinning me to the spot. “I’m not done with you yet.”
I find Sasha kissing some guy I recognize from around campus.
“I, uh… sorry, I need to borrow her for a second.” I grab her hand and tug sharply. She stumbles after me, giggling.
“He’s cute.”
“And you’re drunk.” And high.
“It makes it easier.” Her eyes are glazed, her pupils blown wide. “You should try it.”
“I’m really worried. It’s late, and there’s no sign of Bexley or Alex. And Brandon and Channing—"
She huffs at the mention of his name. “Channing… Channing
