Turning, I begin my trek back across the courtyard toward the front office. Opening the schedule I stole from McKenzie, I notice there are a few classes she’s in that I’m not. That needs to be fixed before classes begin tomorrow. I told the Executive Director of Administration I’m to be in all of her classes, but this year it’s not like that. Seems like more than one person wants to test me this year.
They’ll learn. They always do.
I stare at the new dean as he tries to give me shit for wanting to change my schedule. "It's extremely last minute. We need more notice."
"I'm not explaining myself to you again." I lean back and look at the plaque on his desk. "Dick. Can I call you Dick?"
He scowls at me. "My name is Richard. And you may call me Mr. Reynolds or Headmaster."
I stand from my chair, circle around his desk, and lean against it, staring down at him. I try to hold my amusement back at the look of shock on his face. "Well, Dick, my name is Phoenix Stone.My great grandfather was Alexander Brighton." His eyes widen at the realization. "I know you're new, but you will change my schedule and you will not question me again."
He nods slowly, then presses the intercom on his desk. "Ms. Kole, please update Phoenix's schedule. He'll be out there to see you in a moment."
I push off his desk and walk to the door. "I'm pleased you decided to see things my way." Exiting his office, it takes all my self control not to slam his door.Who the fuck does he think he is?
After I get my schedule fixed with Ms. Kole, I call my dad.
"Hey, son,” he greets me as a car door slams in the background.
"Did you know there's a new dean?" I ask him. Walking toward the locker room to get ready for practice, I grit my teeth when I see Kelly and her plastic friends heading toward me.
"I found out this morning, but I've been busy, so I haven't had a chance to call and warn you." I duck between two buildings, trying to avoid Kelly, but I know she'll find me soon enough.
"Why are you just now finding out?"
He huffs. "They haven't been as forthcoming with information since your mother went missing. I reminded them of the funding we provided and that I would pull it if it happened again." There's some talking in the background. "I have to go. Send me your lacrosse schedule. I'll make sure to come to a few games." He hangs up before I can respond.
I inhale slowly as I put my phone in my pocket. My father is hiding something from me and I haven't been able to figure out what it is yet. I never wanted to follow in his footsteps. The only person I've voiced that to is McKenzie. It was the one and only deep conversation we had. But even if I don't want to, I know I will. I've already started.
I made it my mission that I would destroy Marcus Knight. That includes making his daughter mine.
Chapter 2
Phoenix
Three Months Later
Standing in line waiting to be greeted by the host, I watch everyone, as I search for McKenzie’s father. Everyone’s identity is hidden by the masks we are required to wear. Each color mask means something different. The white ones mean they’re selling, the black ones mean they’re buying. The red ones mean they’re for sale, the black and red ones mean they’re taken, but willing to share. Silver means they’ve been purchased and not up to share. Gold means they are an owner and aren’t buying.
I’m wearing a black one. I don’t intend to purchase anyone today, but there isn’t a mask available for those who want to observe. If you attend an auction, you are expected to participate in some way. So, when I put in my application to receive an invitation for an auction, I put down the type of woman I’d be interested in buying.
A woman with silver hair, big brown eyes, legs that go on for days, and full red lips. One of the things I’ve learned from my father is when a person is purchased, because women and men are sold at these auctions, they are required to have sex in front of anyone who wishes to watch.
My eyes narrow at a man who is balding. He’s short and stocky. Like our new dean. He has a black mask on as well. I know Brighton Academy has questionable attendees and staff, but this? It pisses me off thinking of him eyeing the girls he wants to buy one day. I have a lot of questions about this society and the auction they host on a quarterly basis.
How did it get started? Who founded it? And how do I become a member of the council? My father, who hasn’t shown up yet, is how I found out you have to receive an invitation before attending an auction. I filled out my application, he turned it in, and my invitation arrived three weeks later. He isn’t part of the council and has never tried to become part of it, which irritates me because I’m sure the answer lies in being a part of it. But I get it. He misses my mom and he won’t have sex with anyone who isn’t her.
I step up in the line as it moves and my eyes are drawn back to the man I’m sure is the dean. I stop in my tracks when I recognize he’s speaking to none other than Marcus Knight. I’d recognize that man anywhere, with or without a mask. Someone behind me runs into my back.
“I’m so sorry,” a high-pitched voice says.
I turn. “My apologies,” I reply. I quickly school my features when I recognize Karla. She was the cheerleading captain last year. Her eyes widen when she recognizes me. Turning to face her escort, I know immediately it’s her father. He’s wearing a white mask, and she’s wearing a red one.He’s selling his own daughter. What. The. Fuck.
My father never showed up. Something is up with him and I will figure it out. Putting that out of my mind, I pay close attention to how the auction is run. Every bid begins at half a million dollars. Men and women are sold. Some want to be sold and others are terrified. It’s almost as if those who are terrified had no idea they were being sold. This doesn’t surprise me considering whathappened to my mother. However, I assumed the girls being sold were kidnapped. I didn’t realize their own fathers sold them.
It doesn’t surprise me though. I’ve recognized a few of the girls, all of them graduated from Brighton within the last year or so. I also keep an eye out for my mom. But I already know she won’t be one of the women. I’m sure if she were going to be sold, it would have already happened.
Sitting in the back row, I watch how everyone bids. There are more black masks here than there are people to buy.Will they stay and watch those who were bought have sex with those who purchased them?I’ve been asking myself the same question.Should I stay to see how it operates? Or should I wait?
