Nina ignored me and kept talking. “Don’t worry. Token lesbian, meet token gay.” She waved in Jamie’s direction.
“Ah.” I said, “Well, he has it worse off than me.”
“In what way?”
“He was raised here.” I joked, and Nina elbowed me in the ribs.
“Very true. He agrees with you about V, by the way. He also picked up a vibe.” A vibe?
I looked over at Valentina, who was sitting with Adan at a round table full of the same guys they’d had over at her pool the other day. She leaned back in her seat casually, wine glass in hand, brandishing her customary bored look.
“Anyway,” Nina continued. No, go back to Valentina, go back to the vibe! I silently prayed. “I was having a blast chatting with him, and then I remembered why we aren’t friends.”
I looked over at Jamie again and noticed the other kids sitting at his table. He was quiet, listening intently to something the boy next to him was saying. In a partially unbuttoned, crisp white shirt was a tall guy with blonde hair that practically screamed Wellsley Prep. To be fair, most of the teenagers here did, barring the ones serving us, but this kid looked like the poster child for high school bullies.
“Enter Shane Gallagher, Jamie Russo’s cousin. Total prickwad. If you think V is bad, stay away from Shane. He’s like the guy version but amped up with white male privilege. Trust me. You don’t want to touch that.”
“What, Jamie like, always hangs around him or something?”
“Something like that. I don’t know if it’s because Jamie’s Mom makes him or something, but their families are super close. Either way, when you get Jamie, you usually get Shane.”
“Gallagher and Russo… sounds familiar. Are those -”
“Our neighbors?” She answered. “Yup, two of the original Six families.”
“Wow.” I said, “Small town, huh?”
“You can say that again.” She pulled her phone from her clutch and showed me the time. “Oh my gosh, it’s almost 10! We should head down to the beach.” A clutch, I thought. Duh. Why didn’t I think to borrow one from Nina? I could fit all kinds of cool knick-knacks in there. Not to mention my dad wouldn’t be stuck carrying my phone in his pocket like I was some thirteen-year-old kid.
I scanned the room for my father before following Nina towards the back of the mansion. Was this whole secret society thing the right choice? It didn’t really feel like something I’d do. I wanted to mention it to my dad, but he was still on the dance floor with Macy, looking gleeful as ever. This was my only night with my dad before he left for a bit, and I would barely get a chance to spend time with him. Well, if my dad wanted me to get to know the other kids here, this whole Order of the Six thing was probably a good idea after all. If he were too busy for me, I’d do what he wanted and meet some other teenagers.
I held my dress up with one hand as my feet pressed into the cold sand, my heels dangling from the other. Nina and I walked silently down the trail to the beach behind the Cunningham Estate, joining a small crowd already gathered and somber on the dimly lit beach.
“One hundred years ago, the Order of the Six was born.” A male voice called out confidently. He wore a black mask over his face, matching his suit. Six others were standing silently behind him in similar masks, a mix of men and women in glamorous formalwear, covered almost completely by deep burgundy robes. The sight was chilling until I noticed a sliver of silver material peek out from the bottom of one of the robes. Rebecca Cunningham, I thought. That explains the Cunningham house as the first meeting location. The water glistened black behind the masked group. I trained my gaze on the speaker, commanding the attention of everyone with ease.
“Six families, prestigious in nature, all with the same goal in mind; power. From power breeds opportunity. Cunningham, Gallagher, Vasquez, Fontaine, Russo, Muller. You know their names. You know our names. But as the Order grew, so did the families, and the Order began bringing in other members. Members just as strong and capable as the original Six. Each of our most recent chapters boasts a mix of members selected from the original Six families as well as some from the other distinguished families in Newport. That is why you were all invited today. Because we see potential in you. Because you are someone.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes at that.
“The chapter standing behind me is the previous generation of the Order, now collegiates in their own right. Four years ago, they stood on this beach, just as you do tonight. This year, with their youngest member starting University, each member of their group can call themselves a scholar. To you, they are alumni. Their absence leaves room for a new chapter to grow in their place here in Newport. They have appointed me to lead the new generation of the Order of the Six, just as their leader was appointed by one before them.” He nodded at Rebecca, who dipped her cloaked head in acknowledgment, then handed him his own crimson-colored robe. He threw the robe effortlessly around his shoulders and pulled the hood up.
“I will put you through a series of tests challenging your bravery, cunning, and intelligence in order to determine who will be inducted and who will be cast aside.”
I looked around at the group of challengers beside me. My eyes went straight to Valentina and Adan, standing on the other end of the group. Adan caught my eye and gave me a subtle wave. Valentina looked ahead intently. I recognized Jamie and Shane and a few of the other douchebags that were sitting at their table. The rest of the group I didn’t recognize.
“You may think you know who we are. You may believe what you heard. Forget all of it. This year, we start a new Order. Our Order will not focus only on Yacht parties and early admission to the most elite universities in the country. This year, we will become a part of something incredible. This year, we will change history.”
I leaned over to Nina and whispered, “Are you sure this isn’t some sort of cult?”
“Shh!" She elbowed me.
The six people in cloaks all moved at once, heading back up the beach pathway and in the direction of the party. In their absence, I noticed something in the water behind the leader.
“Floating deep in the ocean behind me are ten dinghies. Each boat holds a scroll with the information for the time and meeting place of the next challenge.” He paused, probably for dramatic effect. “Twelve of you will take on this challenge, but only ten will advance on. If you do not succeed, you will be left behind.” He paused. “There can only be six.”
He started walking toward the beach path, then stopped to address us. “The only rule is this. You must return by the burning of the Yule log. Even if you retrieve a scroll, you will be disqualified if you do not make it on time.” Murmurs began amongst the group. He walked a few steps back towards the mansion, then looked over his shoulder. “Do not get caught, do not be obvious, and tell no one of this invitation. If your participation in the Order is made known to outsiders, your regret will reach far beyond simple disqualification.” His oxfords crunched into the sand as he turned and headed off. I watched the back of his head as he slipped off his mask and cloak and disappeared into the night.
I turned to Nina, shivering. I ran my hands up and down my arms to warm up. “Okay, so now what?” I asked her, her face pinched as she looked out at the dark water. The others around us started spreading out across the beach and talking in hushed whispers. Before Nina could answer, we heard a splash and some whooping sounds coming from the ocean. Pretty much everyone turned to see Shane Gallagher and a couple of his buddies from the table earlier diving carelessly into the frigid water. Their bare chests glistened in the moonlight. Jamie stood at the edge of the water, only his jacket off, looking timid as ever.
“Jamie, get your ass in the water,” Shane shouted, stopping to look at him. The other guys paddled out quickly into the night, leaving Shane behind. Jamie hugged his thin figure and didn’t respond.
A guy at the other end of the beach stripped and started wading into the water but stopped mid-thigh. Even from where I was s
tanding, I could see him shaking. Nina must have noticed the same thing because her hand went to my arm and squeezed. I jumped a little, her touch ice cold. I put my hand on her shoulders and rubbed her arms as we watched a couple wander off down the beach.
“I wonder where they’re going,” Nina said.
“They’re going to try and find a kayak,” Adan said as he approached us, Valentina following close behind.
“They’ll be lucky if they make it back in time. It’s going to take them forever just to get it down here.” Valentina said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. I noticed the ends blanketing her back and wondered if it kept her warm out here in the frostbitten night.
Our heads all turned at the sound of Shane’s voice again. “I’ll get your scroll for you this time, Russo, but mark my words. You owe me.” With that, he turned and dove underwater.
Nina shivered deeply. “Oh god, you don’t want to owe Shane a favor.” She whispered.
“We should hide their clothes,” I said to the group. “They’d deserve it.” Valentina snorted so loudly I couldn’t help but look at her. Her lips were turned up, and I could even see her teeth. Butterflies rumbled in my stomach, and I urged myself to stay cool.
Adan ran a hand through his hair. “We can’t.”
“Why not?” I asked. “Shane’s an asshole.”
“He is,” Adan admitted. “But I think a bunch of wet, naked guys would tip the party off that something is going on down here.”
Valentina’s smile dropped. “Yeah, we can’t risk exposure.” She said.
Nina pointed to Jamie. “And we don’t want them to blame Jamie.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. What’s our plan then? We can’t stand here all night. We’ll freeze to death.”
Adan slipped his jacket off and started over to me like he was going to put it on my shoulders. With Nina still looking at Jamie, I shook my head silently at Adan. He paused, then placed his jacket over Nina’s shoulders. Her hands went immediately to the soft fabric and pulled it tighter around her, giving Adan a grateful smile as she did so.
“I’ll go in,” Adan said as he started unbuttoning his shirt. My eyes lingered on his fingers. “I’ll grab scrolls for all of us. That way no one else has to go in.”
Valentina stepped in front of Adan, forcing eye contact. “No way, Adan. We’re not helping these losers. ‘There can only be six, remember? We’re not making it easy for anyone else to get one of our spots.”
Adan dropped his hands and looked at Valentina, disappointed. “V…”
“No, Adan. They have to earn their spots. Plus, by the time you get four scrolls off the boats, you’ll freeze to death.”
I looked up to the house, its bright lights spilling over the cliff above us. I spun around to face Nina. “I’ll go in for us. We’re running out of time, and I don’t want to waste time arguing.”
Nina’s eyes widened. “But you’re the worst swimmer here. You’ll never keep up with Adan. You could drown, Harper. I know I said this was important to me but swimming out there in the middle of December is a death sentence. I’ve been swimming in this ocean my whole life. I should do it.”
I gave her a look. “Nina, you clearly can’t tolerate the cold. It has to be me.”
“Forget it, Adan,” Valentina said beside me. She wasn't talking to Nina or me, but we looked over at her anyway. “You may be a fast swimmer, but I know the water. I can get us out to the boats and back safely in the dark.”
“V-” Adan started, but Nina cut him off.
“I thought you didn’t want to help us losers?” Nina asked spitefully.
Valentina clenched her jaw. “Well, if Harper’s cold, lifeless body washes up on the beach, I’m pretty sure we’ll all get disqualified. I’m not taking that chance.” She looked to Adan, her face softening. “Speaking of, can you stand watch by the beach trail? If anyone from the party decides to take a leisurely stroll by the water, distract them. The last thing we need is a bunch of drunk parents finding us.” He nodded and jogged up the beach towards the house.
“Nina, do you think you could manage to find a few towels? And maybe figure out how we’re going to dry our hair and stuff when we get back. The leader guy said we couldn’t be obvious.” I asked her. Nina nodded enthusiastically and followed in step behind Adan.
“That was Cunningham,” Valentina said without looking at me as she turned and headed towards the ocean. “The mask wasn’t really that clever, not when you’ve known someone your whole life. It was so obvious. And even if it wasn’t, the Cunningham’s are notorious big wigs in this town. If there’s a secret society, you can bet they’re at the forefront of it.” She must mean Jack Cunningham, Rebecca’s brother, I thought.
I followed close behind Valentina but stopped abruptly when her hands went behind her back and fiddled with her zipper, pulling it down a little.
“Um, what are you doing?” I asked her.
Valentina laughed. “You want to go swimming in an evening gown? It’s too heavy; it’ll drag us down. We’d never make it back in time. Plus, we can’t show up at the party completely soaked. We have to get naked.” She still wasn't looking at me as she spoke, and I was grateful. A lump had formed in my throat, and I worked hard on swallowing. Her fingers pulled at the zipper again, but it wouldn’t budge. She looked over at me.
“You need to help me.” She said, and I froze, then tried to recover.
“You could ask nicely.” I retorted, folding my arms.
She dropped her arms from her back, exasperated. “Don’t throw a fucking tantrum. I’m helping you. If I ask you to unzip me, you do it.” She turned away and pulled her hair to her front, leaving her back exposed.
The warmth from her body immediately hit me as I pressed my fingers to her back, grasping the zipper. My other hand steadied itself on her shoulder blade, pressing the fabric together and getting a good angle to pull. I yanked it a few times until the zipper released, then brought the metal down her back slowly, exposing more and more skin as I went. Goosebumps rose across her flesh, and my heart rate picked up.
When she was fully unzipped, she turned to me expectantly. I gaped and realized she was going to help me with my dress. I turned. Valentina grabbed bunches of my dark blonde hair and laid it over my shoulder, her gentle touch surprising me. I clasped my hands together in front of me to stop the shaking, which was no longer the result of just the cold.
She pulled the back of my dress open with the same care I’d taken on her, then went so far as to push one of my thick straps down my shoulder. I was absolutely buzzing at this point, but I managed to steal a glance back at her over my shoulder. Our eyes met, and something jumped between us. I stood very still, like maybe if I moved, the moment would shatter. After a few seconds, her hands fell from my strap, and she moved abruptly to the edge of the ocean.
I quietly let out the breath I was holding and let my other strap fall. Valentina was in front of me, pulling her dress down and letting it land in a pool of silk around her ankles. She stood in front of me in nothing but a pair of cheeky nude underwear and a bare back. I looked down at myself, eternally grateful my dress allowed for a bra. I let my own dress drop and refrained from holding my hands over my own black undergarments, attempting to emulate the same confidence Valentina was giving.
Valentina took a breath and walked straight into the water, showing no signs of fear. I did the same but gasped when the icy cold water bit my skin. Valentina was up to her waist when she turned back to me, still, only ankle deep.
“I’m not waiting for you. If you can’t keep up, that’s your issue.” She turned away and waded deeper into the blackness. The view of her bare skin had me chasing after her, more so than the risk I’d be taking if I fell behind.
We swam quietly through the water, her pace always much quicker than mine. I did notice her slow down a few times, though she never glanced back at me, and I wondered if she needed a break or if she was waiting for me to cat
ch up. At one point, I turned around to see how far from shore we’d gotten and immediately regretted it. The mansion was starting to look like a dollhouse with how far out we’d swum. I was certain my lips were turning blue, and even Valentina was now audibly shaking, her breaths coming out ragged.
“There.” She said with some effort, her shoulders moving up and down in the water. I followed her gaze to a row of shiny white dinghies tied to buoys bobbing in the water. The entire setting was wildly creepy, the darkness swallowing much of the scene up whole.
“You grab your two, and I’ll grab mine.” She instructed and swam a couple more paces to the boats in front of us. There was no one else here, so either they’d retrieved their scrolls already and headed back, bailed before they made it, or simply decided not to try.
I pushed my arms out, propelling me forward, the action exhausting me. I hovered by the closest dingy and caught my breath, wanting to get this over with but knowing I was losing energy by the second. A splash sounded as Valentina pulled herself out of the water and into the boat. I kept my eyes trained on her as she tried wiping her hands off before picking up one of the scrolls. She pulled it open and read its contents with great interest.
As she stood up again, I tried, I mean I really tried, not to look at her naked body. The moon lit up her features, and despite the glacial temperatures, I felt a spike of warmth run through my torso. She tossed the scroll into the other boat and crouched, jumping from one rocking boat to the other. She landed with a thud.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice tight.
“Get your scrolls.” She said forcefully, ignoring my question. I did as I was told, mimicking Valentina’s route until I held both scrolls from my own dinghies in my hands. I peered into the water, wondering if Valentina had left without me, considering the time I’d wasted. Yet there she was, scrolls lifted above her head to stay dry, the rest of her floating expertly in the ocean.
I looked down at my own scrolls and stuck them in my left hand, holding them up and praying I wouldn’t accidentally drop them. If the ink smudged, they’d likely be unreadable, which I suddenly realized was probably part of the whole challenge. In a clumsy move, I managed to keep my right hand on the edge of the boat while jumping into the water. My thigh smacked the boat's rough surface on the way down, and I winced. That was going to bruise.
There Can Only Be Six Page 5