Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 89074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I managed to split his lip once, and he just smiled. He threatened me with a butterfly knife, but his blade never touched my skin.
“At least I’ve been hitting the gym like a fucking fiend,” I tell Weston. “Hunter’s in for a treat.”
Weston furrows his brow, turning to give me a hard glance.
“Rayne. You’re not actually thinking of still trying to fight him, are you?”
I set my jaw, breathing in through my nostrils. “I won’t let him fuck with you. Or me. Or anyone in Onyx Society.”
“Do not engage with my brother,” Wes says. “We both know that’s the best option.”
“Can’t ignore him when he puts knives to our throats.”
“Yes we can. And we will.”
Weston’s jog quickens, and I match his pace.
Suddenly we’re surrounded by the bustle of students in the main part of campus.
Crimson College is in full swing, gearing up for another school year.
I was ready to rule this campus like a goddamn king this year before I got the bad news about Hunter coming.
Wes heads forward along the path through the quad, running away from me and my questions.
I’m in my second year of college.
I’m finally someone.
I’m in a prestigious secret society, I’m on the football team, and people on campus actually know who I am.
And it feels good to have all eyes on me.
Weston and I slow down the pace as we make it onto our street, Red Row. The street is home to each of the three big society houses, side by side.
Luros Sorority, Double Daggers, and us at Onyx Society.
We’re both breathing heavy as we pass by the houses. Each one has their symbol: roses for Luros house, a stone surrounded by flame for Onyx, and Double Daggers with their twin daggers.
Can I relax, now?
Please?
But like before, something’s off.
Too perfect, all over again.
The whole street smells like fresh-cut grass, and the sound of a riding lawn mower comes from somewhere far off.
And I’m blissfully unaware of what’s unfolding right now.
As I run home, it’s beginning.
One of the Onyx Society founders is being attacked.
A black rope is currently wrapped around his neck.
Someone’s attempting to strangle him.
He’ll be hospitalized in around six minutes.
Five minutes, now, probably.
I just haven’t found out yet.
The Crimson College clock tower bell rings out, reverberating across campus and echoing through the trees.
We head inside the house, pushing through the heavy wooden double doors.
Onyx House looks like something out of an English castle, and I love every detail of it. Tall diamond-paned windows, dark red sofas, and a shiny black grand piano in one corner of the front room.
More than a few empty champagne bottles dot the ledge above the fireplace this afternoon, remnants of last night’s party.
If Hunter is going to be here, I’m not letting him ruin this.
Onyx will always be my home.
Not his.
A few of the guys are in the back sunroom when Wes and I walk in.
Noah is facing us, picture-perfect in a dark red Crimson College jersey.
“Rayne. Wes. Where have you been? Did you hear what happened?”
“Hear what?”
“There’s bad news,” Noah continues, his brow furrowed. “James is in the hospital. Badly hurt.”
Something in my chest goes cold.
I step into the room and lean against the edge of the sofa. “What?”
James is one of the three filthy-rich founding members of Onyx Society.
“James was leaving his house,” Noah explains. “The driver that picked him up strangled him in the black car, but James is… James. He can fend for himself. He broke free.”
“No one fucks with him,” I mutter.
But clearly someone did.
“James managed to knock him out, but in the process, the driver pulled a gun. James was grazed by a shot on his skull.”
“Holy shit.”
“Neighbors called an ambulance. He’s already at the hospital, his family is there, and he will be fine.”
I nod. “Right. He will be fine. I know that. James is indestructible.”
“I agree.”
“But who attacked him?”
Weston is still looking out into the yard, his expression unreadable. The shadows cast by the leaves outside dance over his face.
Weston knows James a little better than I do, and I can’t imagine how he must be feeling.
James, Ezra, and Ethan.
All of us know their names.
James, Ezra, and Ethan are like living legends in Onyx, all three of them like the godfathers of this society despite still being in their mid-twenties.
They were juniors when they founded Onyx Society.
Unlike Crimson College, Onyx is new blood. The society is just four years old.
They wanted something like a fraternity that didn’t have to play by any school rules, and when Double Daggers rejected them, they started Onyx.
Noah shakes his head. “Nobody knows, but if anyone can find out, it’s going to be those three guys.”
I set my jaw.
No.
It’s going to be me.
I care about Onyx Society more than I care about my own life.
I need this community.
I need to be the first person in my family to graduate college and succeed. For my mom, but more selfishly, for me.