“On another note, I’ve had masks delivered, like the ones of Los Calaveras.” Kay grinned as if wearing the skull masks of a terrorist group who called themself mercenaries was fashionable. “We’re going to scare the living hell out of them.”
The Tacticians wanted to take them to our catacombs inside the underground tunnels, but the last time they’d done that, Mr. Morgan got enraged. He categorized it as dirtying the heritage, and I’d had to fix their mess.
“And about our first years? They’re against the Pioneers. They’re brutal,” a second year worried.
Honestly, I didn’t give a damn about our first years. I’d never asked to be a leader. I wasn’t the type to run after people or chase anyone. I wasn’t like Sylas, even if a part of me wondered if my little doll was scared by the idea that I’d come after her, and that she’d be under my mercy.
“Reward those who escape. If they fail, it suggests they’re easy prey. As Tacticians, I believe they should be capable of finding their way out. If not, perhaps they belong with the Unifiers,” I suggested, laughter echoing as I successfully trapped Cillian, my rook eating his last bishop.
I leaned back in my chair, a sly grin curving my lips. My queen in b6. His king in a4. His worthless knight, incapable of stopping my rook in c4. “Checkmate.”
Cillian’s lips turned into a frigid smile. While he could spare a draw against me in a normal chess game, he was done for during a blitz.
“If anyone can beat this sadistic asshole, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars!” Kay deadpanned, but no one came to take a seat to duel me. “Really? You’re all a bunch of cowards!”
“Oh, and one more thing,” I added, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. Standing, I showcased my new collection of ribbons tied around my wrist. One silver, one green. “The girl with the white hair and ribbons is mine to toy with.”
I stormed out of the room, leaving the chessboard behind to head to my real-life chess game. My steps were swift and purposeful as I made my way toward the entrance of the Pioneer’s dorms. I had a clandestine, late-night rendezvous to attend with the person I had selected to be my servant knight in this battle.
“You’re late,” Tara said, crossing her arms. “If you asked me here to suck your dick, you can go back to your dorm and ask your white-haired girl to do it for you.”
“Now, why so hostile, Tara?” I drawled, taking a moment to savor her clenched jaw and the simmering anger in her eyes. “As awful as it sounds, I’m not here for that.”
She squared her shoulders, attempting to maintain a facade of defiance. “What do you want, Levi?”
My sinister smile deepened. “The question is what I can do for you, Tara.”
“I’m going to catch all your first years on Hazing Night.” Her words were laced with venom. “If you’re here to save them, you can—”
I silenced her with a move forward, and leaning in, my lips hovered against her ear. There, I whispered the threat that’d sent her heart racing, detailing the dark and villainous plans I had in mind. I could practically feel the tension in her body. Tara only had one weakness.
“You wouldn’t,” she hissed through gritted teeth. “You’re a fucking bastard! You’re sick!”
“Oh, we both know I would,” I assured her. “Now, what’s it going to be, Tara? It’ll be regrettable. I’d have to waste my time hurting Yasmine while we could both have what we want if you agree to my generous offer.”
Unknown: Wear one of your ribbons tonight. That’s not a request.
I squinted at the message and finished tying my bun—without a ribbon. Hazing Night was about to start.
Unknown: It’s impolite to leave someone on read.
My thumb tapped angrily on the screen, firing back a reply.
Me: Stop (s)talking to me, Levi. It’s desperate, even for you.
Levi: Desperate haha… Duly noted.
I threw my phone on my bed, trying to erase the mental image of Levi’s sinister laughter creeping into my brain.
“You ready?” Yas asked, her eyes determined.
I gave her a resolute nod, and we marched to the meeting point in front of our common room. Exchanging a few silent glances with the first years, I pinned our hopes on Sylas’s strategy working. The fog we had released to shroud us swirled around our ankles. We wore full black like the rest of the Unifiers so Levi wouldn’t recognize me when I’d infiltrate his camp. I looked up at the security camera, knowing Levi was probably watching.
The tolling of the bell pierced the silence in the solemn air, announcing the start of Hazing Night. We dropped to the ground, the fog embracing us like a shadowy veil. A fellow student approached, thrusting a black wig into my hands. Iconcealed my identity under the wig—my white hair would give me away too easily.
“Let’s move,” one Unifier whispered, and our cohort of students surged forward in unison.
Yas and I dashed toward the Tacticians’ territory, three Unifiers shielding our rear. Their mission was to create diversions in this game of hide-and-seek. The narrow corridors of the quad reverberated with ear-piercing screams. We darted through every pillar and alcove, a pulsating bass hammering in sync with my racing heart. Their shadows were closing in on us, and every corner was a gamble.
