Chapter Seven

Maureen

I knew I shouldn't have let Libra talk me into dressing in her fucking clothes again. But that bitch doesn't take no for an answer. If I didn't have to live with her, I would have blown her off. Now I'm wearing fishnets and a skirt so short I can barely sit down without letting the whole bar know what color panties I'm wearing. I guess the saying is right about history repeating itself.

Because here I am on only my second night at Tenebrose Academy with a knife pressed to her cousin's throat. But he's not just anyone. No. This act will have consequences. But right now, I don't care. I'm fucking fuming.

"I know you consider yourself a big deal around here, but I'm not like everyone else," I snap. "You have no idea who I am so don't fuck with me."

Atlas doesn't look the slightest bit fazed by the blade at his neck. In fact, the sick bastard looks turned on. I want to slice the shit grin off his face. But I make the mistake of looking into his eyes and almost get lost in them again.

Fuck.

Why does he have to be so fucking hot?

"It's cute that you think you're actually going to do something with that knife, pretty girl. Did your daddy give you that before you left? Hmm? You should put it away before you hurt yourself."

The fucking audacity .

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I'm so close to blurting out what happened the last time I held a knife to someone's throat. But I don't. Instead, I withdraw the blade, step back, and look around. Other than Villette, no one has noticed our exchange.

"You have no idea who I've hurt," I mutter.

"Oh, look," Villette interjects, "one of your psycho friends is here. Go hang out with him and leave us alone."

Atlas laughs and blows me a kiss before stalking off to join his asshole friend.

Fuck.

My stomach knots. I don't have the energy to deal with Atlas and Valentin tonight. "Actually, Villette, I'm pretty tired. Plus, classes start tomorrow and I gotta be up early. I think I'm going to head to bed."

She pouts her lips. "Come on, just stay for one more drink. It's a Tenebrose tradition."

I shake my head and throw on my coat. "I can't be tired tomorrow. Sorry. Rain check?" I'm starting to feel homesick. Villette is a lovely girl, but I miss Bailey like crazy. She's the only one who gets me.

Villette nods but her lips are pursed. "Don't let those assholes bully you, Maureen. If you leave now, they will think they've won."

She's right, but I don't care. I really am exhausted too. "I'm not running away, I promise. I just need a good night's sleep."

She finally concedes and gives me a hug before I leave. As I head to the door, I feel eyes on me. I shouldn't look back, but I can't help myself. I throw a glance over my shoulder and see Atlas and Valentin are laser-focused on me. Fuck. I spin on my heel and storm out.

The air outside has dropped at least twenty degrees since sundown. I button up my coat, grateful that I remembered to bring it. An uneasy feeling settles into my bones. The path ahead is dark as fuck and the ground uneven. I take a deep breath and charge ahead, stumbling every few feet in my heels. And I'm sober . I can't understand how anyone could do this drunk. I guess the kids here are used to it. I really hope I don't twist my fucking ankle.

At least Villette was understanding. Libra is going to lose it when she finds out I left. I've barely seen her since the party at Nocturnus and then she just barges into my bedroom tonight with an outfit picked out for me. That girl is something else .

Oh, fuck. I'm not more than ten feet from Swallow when I see Libra barreling toward me.

"Nope, nope, nope. You're not bailing on me tonight, Blackwell." She grabs my wrist and spins me back around toward the bar.

I pull back, digging my heels in the dirt and almost topple over. "Whoa, slow the fuck down. And stop calling me that."

Libra whips around and her long blonde ponytail almost smacks me in the face. "There are rules here, Maureen. Social standards . Everyone parties at Swallow the night before the first semester starts. Everyone . I swear to god if you make me look bad—"

"All right!" I say a little too loudly. "Fuck. I'll go back inside. But I'm not hanging out with your cousin or his asshole friends."

Her breath quickens, and she tightens her grip on my arm. "Nocturnus is here?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at her referring to them like they're some famous boy band. "Atlas and Valentin are. I haven't seen Riot. Why do you seem surprised? You just said everyone goes to Swallow."

She lets go of my wrist and smooths her hands down her tight pink dress. "They just never show up this early."

I shrug. "I actually don't care."

She glares at me. "You don't care about anything, do you, Blackwell? But with your family's money and power, I guess you don't have to. Just remember you're in Raven's Gate now. We play differently here."

My mouth hangs open, stunned by her words. And then my anger kicks in. "Ever since I got here, I've been bullied, stalked, assaulted… and it's only been two fucking days. If this is how you all play here then I want no part of it."

"What are you talking about? I know I'm bossy, but I haven't assaulted you. Fuck, you're so dramatic," Libra quips.

I snicker. "Why don't you ask your cousin and his friends who assaulted me?"

Her cheeks redden. "Don't say things you can't take back, Maureen. They'll hear you."

I shake my head. This place is insane. "Who will hear me? The fucking birds? There is something seriously wrong with all of you." I step back and turn around. "Fuck this, I'm going back to the dorms."

"Wait!" she shrieks.

I stop but refuse to turn back around. "What do you want from me?" I sigh.

"I-I don't have any friends," she whispers.

What the actual fuck? I stalk back over to her. "Are you joking?"

Her eyes are glassy. "No. I don't have like actual friends. I mean, I know everyone, but no one wants to hang out with me."

My heart sinks, and I almost feel sorry for her. "Oh, stop. You're rich, gorgeous, and sometimes pleasant. Why wouldn't you have friends?" I imagine a whole scenario where dozens of girls follow her around like obedient little lap dogs.

Libra glances back toward the bar. "Everyone's scared of them ."

My stomach flips. Fuck. "Libra… are you scared of them?"

She shakes her head. "No. Fuck that. They can be assholes, but they're all I know. I grew up with all three of them."

I nod and actually feel sorry for her now. "Let's go inside and get a drink."

Her face lights up. "Okay. Sorry, I was so bitchy before."

I grin. "It's fine. Probably just that dress cutting off all the oxygen to your brain," I tease.

She giggles and loops her arm through mine. But as we approach the doors she holds me back for a second. "I heard that Nocturnus cornered you in the bathroom… if they've marked you then they own you. They'll keep coming and there's nothing you can do about it."

I nod and stare straight ahead. My heart skips a beat when I lock eyes with Riot through the window. I remember the roughness of his fingers sliding inside me. The taste of Atlas's skin when I almost gagged on him. Valentin pinching my nipples… I came so fucking hard .

"Who did you hear that from? Thought you didn't have any friends." I try to mask the ache of remembrance in my voice.

Libra chuckles. "I don't. But I have plenty of spies."

Of course, she does .

Between being stalked by a dead girl, three hot psychos, and this unstable beauty queen who's quickly becoming a stage five clinger, I might have to do a little spying of my own. I get the feeling there's some really dark shit going on around here.

I'm going to be good this year. Better than the me I was back in Wickford Hollow. But my anxiety is through the roof, and I need a drink. Besides, classes don't start till tomorrow. I can be bad for one more night .

I march over to the bar with Libra in tow and order another whiskey old fashioned. "So, are you ever going to tell me what's up with Nocturnus? Why do they hate me so much?"

Libra's gaze flickers over to Riot as she sucks down a big swig of her gin and tonic. "You'll have to ask him. I learned my lesson about getting involved with their business."

There's something different about her tonight. She's more uptight than usual. But then again, I've only known her for two days so maybe this is normal for her.

I nod and try to get lost in the music. The dance floor is more crowded than it was when I first came in. Libra sways beside me, humming along to the song. It's actually kind of fun when I'm not thinking about the three psychos who are watching me like a hawk from across the room.

With sparkling chandeliers, purple velvet couches, and marble floors, Swallow is fancy for a college bar. Everyone here is dressed like they just came from a red-carpet event. I think Bailey would love it. I wonder what she's up to back home. I pull out my phone, snap a selfie of myself at the bar, and shoot it off to her in a quick text.

Miss, you bitch.

Texting bubbles appear right away. Miss you too, babe. You look hot AF btw.

I smile and send her a kissy face emoji before slipping my phone back into my purse.

As I look back up, I come face to face with a gorgeous dark-haired guy with green eyes. He gives me a sloppy grin. "Hi. You're beautiful. What's your name?"

My stomach does a little flip. It's been ages since anyone's hit on me. I tilt my head to the side in an attempt to be flirty. "Maureen. What's yours?"

He takes my drink from me and sets it on the bar. "Zeke. Come on, let's dance."

I let out a giggle as he locks his fingers in mine. I'm suddenly nervous and have no desire to be on that dance floor with everyone's eyes on me. "Thanks but I think I'm just gonna hang at the bar."

Zeke laughs and snakes an arm around my waist. He pulls me flush against him. "Fine. We can dance here."

I glance over at Libra who just shrugs and turns her attention back to the guy hitting on her. A little warning bell goes off in my head. Zeke is tall, dark, and handsome, but a little too aggressive for my liking. "Whoa, easy there. Give a girl a little space," I tease.

"Relax," he whispers in my ear. His breath reeks of beer and weed. "It's just one dance." He wraps his other arm around my waist and locks me tight to his chest. I try to push back but he's got me in an iron grip.

"I'm flattered, but I don't want to. Let me go, please." My pulse starts to race as I realize he's got me pinned against the bar now. I could scream for help but then I'd look like a lunatic.

Zeke slides his hands down my back and cups my ass. "Don't be shy. Wanna take this to the bathroom? I heard all about what you like to do in there."

My cheeks flame. Fucking hell. I'm going to kill Riot.

I punch Zeke hard in the chest. "You don't know shit. Now get the fuck off me."

He laughs again and leans in for a kiss. I lurch back and push against his chest with all my strength. "Stop. Get away from me," I yell this time.

"All right, that's enough," a deep gravelly voice commands from behind.

Without looking back, Zeke tightens his grip on my waist. "Fuck off and go find your own slut."

Valentin steps around, so he's in view. "How do you know she isn't mine?"

Zeke's face pales, and he immediately lets go of me. "Fuck. Sorry, Val. I didn't know."

My heart's racing, pounding so hard in my chest, I can feel it in my ears.

"Well, now you do. Run along, little Zeke." I almost burst out laughing because Zeke towers over Valentin by at least a foot. But the sheer terror in Zeke's eyes lets me know that Valentin is the one to be feared.

Zeke doesn't even look at me again before he scurries off.

With my adrenaline still spiking, I turn on Valentin. "Thanks for the assist but don't ever tell anyone that I'm yours again."

His black hair is slicked back off his forehead, showing off his big brown eyes, long eyelashes, and radiant skin. Dressed in all black, he looks like he just walked out of a dark mafia romance novel. He narrows his eyes down at me. "Don't flatter yourself. I'd like nothing more than to never see you again. But Riot has plans for you…"

My breath hitches in my throat. Riot . Fucking prick. "Where is your dark lord and master, anyway? He and I need to have words before he disappears back into his coffin," I retort.

"Nice Dracula reference," Valentin grumbles. "But I wouldn't do that if I were you. Unless you want to end up in a coffin."

We'll fucking see about that.

I scan the crowd and spot Riot over by the other bar in the opposite corner. I thrust my purse at Libra. "I'll be right back."

Her eyes widen. "Maureen, don't. You'll regret it."

Fuck these people. They're about to find out who the fuck I am. I snicker at her and Valentin before stalking off. I pound the floor with my heels as I march over toward Riot in a fury.

He leans casually against the bar, sipping a glass of whiskey. He watches me stomp across the dance floor the entire time. Our eyes lock, and I almost lose my nerve. His stare is unnerving, piercing, deadly.

"How fucking dare you tell people about what happened in the bathroom," I hiss.

He shows no emotion or reaction as I stand there fuming, hands on my hips.

"Which time?" he replies coldly.

"Excuse me?" I am not even sure I'm making sense right now. He's got me so wound up I'm dizzy.

He nods to the guys surrounding him and they take off. "Was it when you got fucked by four frat boys in the bathroom at Wickford Mansion? Or when I made you cum in the bathroom at Graves Library? Or is there another one? It's hard to keep up with all of your indiscretions, Firecracker."

I fight the urge to slap him. Every cell in my body is on fire. I can feel the heat spreading to every inch of me. " I hate you ."

Riot straightens and hovers over me. "I hate you more."

I can't breathe with him this close to me. "Why?"

He clenches his jaw as his gaze falls to my lips. "Because you're the reason I'm in hell."

I tilt my chin, refusing to back down. "Maybe it's because you're the devil."

Riot steps in closer, invading my senses with his intoxicating scent. "And you're a filthy little sinner who needs to repent."

The tension between us is thick, fiery, electric. My heart beats out of control as we glare daggers at each other, our breaths mingling in the narrow space between our bodies.

"I don't understand," I cry. "I've done nothing to you."

He drags his fingers up my chest and then wraps his hand around my neck. "You insult me by existing. Your very presence wrongs me. The blood pumping through your veins is blasphemy. "

Fuck. He's talking about the Blackwells. I don't flinch as his grip tightens. I hate myself for liking the way his cold hand feels around my throat. "You're wrong. I'm not like them ."

Riot's gaze lingers on my lips so long that I think he might kiss me. Which is crazy because I'm pretty sure he'd rather murder me. He finally looks up again. "I wish… No. All you Blackwells are the same." He jerks his wrist and my head snaps forward. "You're going to get what's coming to you, Firecracker. The audacity of you to come here . You're going to pay for what your family did to mine."

That cursed fucking name . I have never wanted to take back something more in my life. I need to know what this is about.

As his hand slips away from my neck, I grab it. "I don't think you want to hate me. Ask yourself why that is next time you try to ruin me."

Riot snatches his hand away. "Watch your back, Firecracker. I'm coming for you."

My stomach flips, and I'm not sure if it's from fear or lust, or both. I want to kill him and fuck him. And I think that's the only mutual thing we have in common.