"What about Midas? Signing me over to his fucking son!" My voice is too loud. I should be calmer, right? But fuck, I'm so mad. My being anything less than furious will let her feel like it's okay. It's not.
She finally closes the distance, grabbing both my cheeks. "He promised me your safety, Colt, that nothing will happen to you. You'll be safe, secure, and not in harm's way like Cassidy."
"Fuck you," I cry. I approached both of my moms about Cassidy's death. They blatantly lied to my face, saying he wasn't killed, and I'd been coping in any way I could. "How could you make me feel crazy about his death?"
Her eyes prick at this, her eyes staring through me like a broken doll and not a concerned parent. "You would have gotten yourself killed. You ask too many questions."
"You didn't prepare me for any of this," I accuse, my voice hoarse at this point. She never helped me through grieving. Instead, she sent me to therapists, pawning off my pain instead of dealing with it herself.
Her vehement head shake only makes me angrier. If she makes some stupid excuse as to why it was safer for me, I'll deck her. I'm not safe not knowing, and between her and the guys being secretive, I'm basically a baby fawn waiting for my death.
"I'd been told you weren't expected to replace Cassidy or honor the Hudson spot. They promised you were not going to be a part of it, but when Preston mentioned you were hanging around the guys again—”
"Preston?"
"Mr. Richter..."
Rolling my eyes, I pull her hands away from my face. "Another thing I can hate you for.”
"You're going away from the point," she argues. "You may not like me, but I've protected you to the best of my abilities."
"Why did you even give birth to me or Cassidy?" I nearly cry.
She stares off, and my stomach clenches uncomfortably. "Even women are required to birth kids."
"You're a lesbian," I prod, wanting it to be true. "You love Moms." But she doesn't look back at me to confirm. "Right?"
Finally, her gaze connects with mine. "Moms is—" she begins.
But I see Noah coming toward me. Not knowing why she brings me comfort, I almost rush into a hug. She holds me, brushing my hair with her fingers.
"Are you okay?" she questions, pulling away from me. Her face is full of concern. When she turns to Mom, her face changes into protective. She knows who my mom is, what she's done, and she's not a fan.
What's troublesome to me is the fact that Mom stares at Noah with... fear? That's the only way I can describe her appearance.
"How did you two met?" Mom asks.
Noah stares Mom down and responds for me. "When she was forced into this dungeon of living, we bonded, and now, we're like sisters."
Mom seems to choke on air at that. "That's wonderful."
Noah doesn't falter, and I'm grateful for her support. She's been my safety net in this place. especially with how weird Mel has acted since Yang's death.
"We should probably go and see what's happening," Noah suggests, pointing toward the room we left. It's been long enough, an hour probably since Lux left.
Noah laces our fingers, and we follow my mom toward the room. It's empty, the guys all gone, so we head toward the ballroom.
"Guess we're going to dance until they get back. Might as well enjoy what time you have left since you're getting hitched," Noah jests, trying to lighten the mood.
The problem is, the mood has soured from my mother's presence and the realization that once again, my choices have been taken from me.
She drags me away from Mom before she can stop us. It's weird. The way Mom stares at us both has me uncomfortable. It's almost as if she's nostalgic or something.
"I'm going to see if I can steal the Bluetooth and hookup some decent songs," Noah explains before running off. She knows this place much better than I do. Unlike me, she's allowed to roam free. She was raised here after all.
A moment later, the sound of Justin Bieber hits my ears, and for some reason, it hypes me up. I'm not a pop fan by any means, pop-punk, yes, but not straight up pop.
“Eenie Meenie” bounces off the walls as Noah makes her way to me. She grabs my hand, her blonde hair billowing with the motion of her twirling. We start jumping as the beat rises, and our hands go up almost automatically.
It's nice, being a part of something freeing. Other Arcadians join us on the dance floor, their feet tapping melodically, following the beat. Then the chaotic chorus comes back, and we're jumping in unison. I find myself forgetting the drama and fear, being a teenager for the first time in nearly a year.
The amazement I feel as Noah and I hug, jumping together, brings me so much peace. That is until I see Mel. Her gaze tells me she's jealous, and it takes all my will-power to not roll my eyes. She chose to fuck around with Bridger, even after knowing how I felt, and now she's making eyes at Jordan. The one thing I hate more than bullies and stuck-up chicks are girls who steal from their friends.
"I see you and Noah are getting along!" she shouts over the music.
Noah doesn't offer her anything other than indifference. When I say Noah has my back, it's not an understatement. She has my back through and through. When I say I've told her everything, I mean everything. When I say she's my happy place, it's because she's been here when no one else has.
"Yes, she's amazing," I offer, not raising my voice enough.
She nods and starts joining the dance. It forces me and Noah apart, but it's okay. We can still vibe and be decent, even if Mel's confused at what that is.
It isn't until the third song, E-Girls Are Ruining My Life by Corpse, that the music is abruptly turned off. The mic screeches as someone moves the cord. You'd think with all the money a person could want, they would have a less ancient system.
"Not sure who thought it relatively okay to put this kind of music on, but it's not what the Gala is about."
Me, Noah, and even Mel share an annoyed impression and try to stifle our giggles at Xavier.
He's not like Bridger, but he is. His broad shoulders are like twice my width, and he's glaringly scary with his dead expressions and even deader personality.
"Lennox and Midas will be back for the events. If Colton Hudson could please meet me at the south entrance, you're needed."
Noah shares a worried expression with me.
"Come with," I practically beg. "I'm scared."
She nods, her fear tucked away after I've shown her mine.
"What about me?" Mel asks, bothered by the fact I didn't immediately invite her.
I'm not sure what she expected, but I shake my head. "You'll need to be here for Jordan."
Her face changes then, a smile forming, and I hate her for it. What is she playing at? And why does Jordan say there's absolutely nothing between them when she's acting like they're in love?
We head toward the south entrance, and Noah cradles my hand as if it's precious. "Whatever happens, Colty, promise me you'll keep your cool."
"Why do you say it like that?"
She shifts, closing her eyes. "The Vestige has a weird way of doing weddings."
"What the hell does that mean?" It makes me uncomfortable. For one, Jordan will be tied to Mel, and two, for whatever they want, probably means weird ritualistic shit. Their archaic methods are new to me, but also, they take misogyny and sexism to an entire new level.
"Well, from what I learned in classes, you make your vows, ones they write for you. They force you to do a blood oath, one where you slice open and mix bloods. Then as disgusting as it sounds, they mix both with wine and make you drink it."
I cringe, but it isn't anything me and Lux didn't do for the duration of our relationship. Blood play is something we get extremely turned on by.
"What aren't you telling me?" I ask.
"After the blood oath, you're forced to copulate..."
"Copulate?" I gasp.
"You know... sex."
"I know what copulate means, Noah. Why the fuck do we have sex?"
"It's for confirmati
on that you're able to please him, but that's not the worst part."
Somehow, I already know what's coming next.
"There has to be two witnesses to watch you. They have to be Emeralds."
In some way, that makes me breathe easier. Ross, Ten, Bridger, and Jordan are all Emeralds. They're all ones I'd easily be able to be around and fuck Lux. Anyone else, I couldn't.
"You don't seem bothered," she surmises.
"I'm not, if I get to pick the two."
"I'm sure Lux will get the choice."
"Good."
"Think he'll choose right? He's Midas's son after all." The way she bites the inside of her cheek lets me know she doesn't like him.
"He cares about me," I offer.
She nods in acceptance, and I'm stuck here wanting nothing more than to run far the fuck away. Marrying Lux doesn't scare me. It's the fact that it's not my choice.
We see Midas standing there, waiting. He glances at Noah. "She can't come."
"Please," I implore, not above begging. She's my safe place.
I can tell he doesn't want to fight with me and probably wants to get this over with. He turns and waggles his finger for us to follow. Trailing toward the winding stairs, a place off limits to me, he leads.
Noah leans into my ear. "We're going to the sanctuary." She notes my confused silence and continues, "It's a place where I'm told they used to have sacrificial blood lettings back in the day. Now, it's a sanctuary for the ruling house. The Edgingtons own this estate right now. Before though, it was the Grims.”
"I keep hearing that name," I muse aloud, thinking of the little mentions over the past few months. "Who are they?"
"They're what they call the grim reapers. Their name is powerful but not by anyone except the most powerful and influential people on this earth. They're worldwide and have the most widespread power and wealth."
We wind up the several flights of stairs, Midas going a lot quicker than us, in our tight dresses, high heels, and overall need to breathe.
"I've heard they were taken out of the ledger, forced to leave," she adds.
"Forced?"
"Mm hm," she confirms. "They became too powerful. Not only that, but I also had been told there were situations involving incest." My mouth hangs open, and she shuts it. "We'll talk more after we deal with this, okay?"
Luckily, we end it there because as we make it to the top, Midas, Elijah, several men I don't recognize, along with all my guys and their fathers, all stand at the top.
And worst part, so does my mom. I've never seen her without confidence, but I guess that's what happens when you allowed dicks to have too much power.
"It's time," Midas explains. "Tennison will assist you to the bathing pool. Once you're in there, Lux will be assisting you cleaning your sinful nature free."
The laugh inside my head is sporadic. It's heady and overwhelming, and when it nearly slips free, I have to hide my face to erase the cynical humor away.
Between Lux and I, I'm practically a virgin. He's more adventurous than I am.
"Jordan," Midas states, "I'll need you there to make sure copulation doesn't occur."
That's when my chuckle slips free. Jesus fuck, could I laugh at a worst time? No one but Noah is amused. I'm in danger, and that makes me think of the Simpson GIF. It's accurate, though.
"My bad," I apologize. Kind of. But seriously, asking the two guys who double-teamed me and the boy who took my virginity to keep dicks from being inside me is hilarious to say the least. Elijah, the man who is an abusive fuck like Midas, steps forward. He runs a palm down his face, and I can tell he's ready to strangle me.
This is what happens when they force kids to marry one another and fuck out in the open. Do they realize that's child pornography?
Yeah, they did it back in the day, but fuck, we've come a long way for their kinks to not get involved now.
Maybe they're all into that shit, and the thought turns my stomach.
"Tasha, after she's clean, I expect you to purify her with the oils."
The pain in my mom's expression actually bothers me. To see that she cares on some level is more painful than her usual disapproval.
"Do you remember how it goes?" Elijah scoffs. "Since you ran on your wedding day."
This is news to me and has me staring at Mom. She cowers behind Elijah and Midas, and I wonder what the fucking story is there.
"Yes, Eli. I'm aware."
"Good. Don't disappoint me again."
Again?
Chapter Thirty-One
Lux
Father didn't bother ask me where I went or why I'd been gone so long, but he did stare at Just, Jordan, and I. If he knew we'd all fucked, he didn't say anything and I'm grateful.
It's insane to think about the fact that I'm into guys, and my father or any other part of the Vestige could kill me in the blink of an eye. Now knowing Cass was with Parris, it almost makes me wonder if that's truly the reason Cass was killed.
I haven't had the chance to speak to Colt about her conversation with Parris. Did he tell her everything?
Colt and I are escorted to the bathing chambers. Separately.
As we saunter down the halls, which somehow changed from the normal decor to a more darkened vibe, I feel uneasy.
I know what's expected.
The wedding of any Emerald goes the same.
Vows.
Blood oath.
Copulation.
It's weird and traditional, but from the oldest time I can think of, the man gets to choose the two members who are witnesses.
Luckily, for both Colt and I, I'm looking for our best interests. In the chamber, there are no cameras, whereas in the room where vows are done, there is a recorder. A man they will pick will literally typewrite the entire exchange, and like the old bastards they are, they’ll file it in a ledger.
The problem is, the ledger has been missing for fifty years.
Where have the entries been since?
"Scared?" Jordan asks me as we walk back.
"I probably should be since Colt didn't ask for this, but when we think about it, what's safer than her being married to me?"
He nods. "I agree. She's out options here, and it's not entirely fair to her."
"When has life ever been fair to any of us, Jordan?"
"Hurry up," Ten complains. "It's bad enough I've lost the girl, but you two being all buddy-buddy and fucking on the side doesn't help."
"Don't be a sore loser, Tennison. It's unbecoming," Jordan mocks our parents' tones.
He grunts and turns to us both. The hatred in his eyes isn't anything new. Ten isn't like Ross. He can't hide behind fake illusions. When he hurts, it shows. When he's mad, it's there. When he's about to come, it's obvious, though that last one is the funnest to point out.
"Not even sure why I give a fuck," he mutters.
Ten's reaction to the world isn't a positive one. It never has been, but Colt has always been a miracle to him. The way she loved him without questions. She didn't push or prod about his depression or need to be distant. She just fucking loved.
"Because she's worth fighting the entire organization for," I mutter aloud, realizing how true it is. She's worth dying for. She's worth killing for. She's worth taking them to war.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Jordan asks, his face one of pride and curiosity.
"If he is, I'm in," Ten mentions.
Stopping in the hall, I look at them both. "Let's finish what Cassidy started."
They both nod, but it's Ten who speaks. "Blood oath on involvement?"
"That'll be my second one tonight," Jordan muses aloud, showing his sliced palm. "Colt made me make the same promise."
"Seems like our little vamp isn't as lost as we thought," I concur.
Ten's eyes bleed with emotions, triggering the sad part of I’ve buried. "Think she'll ever remember us as we were?" Ten asks, his voice cracking. "You know, before her mind was fucked with?"
Tears prick my e
yes. "I thought she was when she remembered you when you asked her out for prom," I whisper.
Ten's eyes pool over, and unforgiving saltiness pours from him. "Me too, Lux. Me fucking too."
"We should go before they send others," I comment, thinking of the time we've spent.
"Especially Bridger," Jordan adds.
Turning specifically to him, I glare. "He's at least never lied to us."
"Bullshit," Jordan barks. "But that's beside the point. We need to get this show on the road."
We all head toward the chambers. By the time I've switched into the ceremonial robe, we've arrived to the water later than the others. Colt is there. No one averts their gaze as she walks in all her naked glory to the water.
I'm shocked stupid by her perky nipples, missing the metal barbells I enjoyed far too much. Her skin is covered and not in ink.
"Stop staring, boys," Noah demands, glaring at us all. It's insane that Jordan's sister is the one who is most respectful. She gestures for me to take off the robe.
Ten pulls at the shoulders of my robe, taking off the material. I look back at them, smirking. Much like Colt, the guys stare at my bare ass, and Colt narrows her gaze at my semi erect cock.
Wading into the water, I meet Colt halfway.
"Fancy meeting you here," Colt simpers, her face amused and not scared at all.
"You're breathtaking as usual, Corpse."
"Ever the charmer," she teases, bringing an inkless hand to my hand.
It's sad, seeing her in this state. It reminds me of being with her last school year, touching her innocent body, wanting to corrupt her and destroy everything that made her soft and kind.
"You must bathe each other," Ten instructs.
Noah goes to the edge of the bath, a caddy in hand. Inside are soap bars, a loufa, and bottles that are no doubt shampoo and conditioner.
"No fucking!" Jordan shouts.
The humor in his voice is obvious and adorable, and I can't help my chuckle. I'm surprised my dick is getting so hard with how I fucked Justice not even an hour ago.
Taking the soap and loufa, I lather it up with a smile.
"Woman cleans man first," Noah directs.
Colt frowns at me. "Misogynistic mother fuckers," she digs, but she takes the loufa from my hands. She presses it against my chest, her hands soft as usual and super attentive. Her smile takes my breath away as she goes against my shoulders, each stroke purposeful.
Here Lies a Saint: A Dark Bully Academy Romance Page 22