“The wives know. Most of the time anyways. They turn a blind eye in order to remain in the Elite. As you know, most of the Elite families pair their kids up together so the legacy continues. They’re all about purity bullshit. It’s way easier for the guys. We inherit everything. Fuck anyone we choose. The girls don’t get to be choosy.”
A bewildered look must cross my face because Kieran continues, “The men are the ones with the power. The money. All of it. Void is a place to live out the sick fantasies they can’t play out with their wives, girlfriends, or mistresses. The offering are almost always willing. Easier to agree when your life is on the line, yeah? Most of the junior Elites partake more than the senior Elites. Their parents want them to indulge, so they push them.”
I rap my fingers against my temple. “So Clara has no clue yet she’s about to be doled out to multiple men for fuck all knows what?” I confirm.
He sits forward and clasps his hands together tightly. His jaw ticks. “Right,” he says through his cigarette.
I tip my chin up. “So, if she declines, Vesper is the offering? “He nods slowly. “Yeah, but it’s because of her age. If the offering declines, they lose their scholarship for whatever reason Mortensen concocts.” He waves his hand flippantly. “Rule demands the youngest daughter out ofallElite families be first in line. After they finish with her, she’ll be remanded as an outsider. Can’t have something so used and tainted up for marriage to the junior Elites. They’ll eventually be the next generation. Never was fair but…” He shrugs nonchalantly.
I fucked her. She’s already tainted in their eyes. That explains why most Elite females have little to no experience.
“So she’s a sacrifice.” My face twists in revulsion. I’m not above sexual violence to a point. We both know Vesper wouldn’t survive their rigorous games. If she’s the offering, it will take away my opportunity for sweet vengeance, and I can’t have that.
He nods. “For the ‘greater good’apparently,” he says with air quotes.
I rake my fingers through my scraggly tendrils. Vesper’s father has kept her locked up knowing she’s a sacrificial lamb. He’s trying to protect her; preserve whatever innocence is left. Doesn’t matter his reasoning. He’s still a piece of shit who needs to be brought down and eradicated.
Kieran flicks his cigarette on the floor and stomps his high top over it, engraining the butt into the carpet. “If Vesper is targeted, that means that someone already has their eye on her if Clara declines. She’s pretty. You know she’ll be sought after.”
His words threaten to send me into a murderous frenzy. “We’re at an impasse then,” I say with a blank, emotionless tone.
His bloodshot eyes meet mine. Silence filters over the room. I know good and well the ball is in Clara’s court.
He shakes his head and lets out a vulpine sneer. “There’s no escaping this shit, man.”
The odds of Clara declining seem slim. I don’t know her other than the miniscule interactions I’ve had with her when Vesper is near, but my attention was always fixated on my songbird. Clara tends to spread her legs for anyone with a swingin’ dick.
“You’re in heavy with the other Elite juniors. You’ve got standing,” I point out.
He scoffs. “I can’t change shit. I’m powerless over rule changes, at least for now.”
He meets my gaze. “My suggestion to you is do whatever the fuck it is you need to do with her, and soon. They will be approaching Clara about it any day now.”
He stands abruptly. “Another word of advice, bro. Get her out of your system or whatever, and move on. If she’s chosen, I don’t wanna know the chaos you’ll cause in your wake.”
My eyes darken. “What about you? You’re on the devil’s doorstep with this Clara bullshit. You gonna fuck her out of your system?”
A murderous glint I’ve rarely seen from Kieran shines through. “Let me worry about my shit.”
Ican no longer look at my sanctuary the same way. It’s tainted with memories I didn’t ask for. The remnants of our toxicity linger on the keys and echo through the auditorium.
My quiet sobs resonate through the hollow walls, and I lose track of how long I lie on the cold stage floor. He comes in and wrecks me in the most cynical pleasurable way. The choices I’m faced with are no longer black-and-white. Instead, they are painted in every shade of gray. I’m afraid I’ve fully fallen into his trap. I’m ensnared in his jaws.
The walk back to the dorm leaves me plenty of time to reflect and devise other means to figure Zain out. The soft hum of distant voices reach my ears as I spiral around the courtyard towards the library. I should be funneling all of my focus into my upcoming performance, but instead I weave through the swaying trees in the shadowy darkness in search of answers. I push through vaulted doors into the labyrinth filled with ancient mile-high bookshelves. The Lexicon Building is one of the oldest at Grimshaw. The smell of fresh ink and stagnant century-old books cling to the stone walls.
I flip through my phone and send Clara a quick text that I’ll be late and to not wait up.
Among the numerous texts I’ve neglected to reply to, my father’s thread has fifteen unread messages. It’s almost as if I don’t know myself anymore. The sweet daddy’s girl who was inseparable now struggles to send a single text message. Clara tells me it’s a part of growing up and breaking free of my confines, but I’d be naive to think he doesn’t have some type of eyes and ears on me. I leave his messages for later and pocket my phone.
I scan the rows of carved hickory desks. Kieran sits tucked into the corner, slumped over his desk with a book in hand. To say I am surprised to hear from Val, one of the other Elites, that he would behereis a massive understatement. Who would have thunk it? Kieranreading? The guy looks like he shoots up people for fun.
My feet drag across the flagstone flooring towards the information desk. I check out the books I’d put on hold earlier today. Then, I stalk towards Kieran. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. He doesn’t even bother to look up as I approach, instead he’s deep into Albert Camus’sThe Stranger,completely oblivious to the world around him.
I purse my lips and go in for the kill. “I didn’t take you for a reader,” I chuckle, clutching my books to my chest.
His deep green eyes peer over the top of his old, tattered book, catching on mine. Instantly, a sinister smile creeps over his face, but it’s only obvious from the way his eyes crinkle at the corners. He drops the book neatly onto the desk in front of him. “Vesper, what a surprise.” He pushes his chair back and gets to his feet. I take a tentative step back. “Looking for your boy?” He smirks and leans against the desk in a devilishly overconfident manner. One would even find it attractive if he wasn’t such a manwhore with prison tats.
“Actually, I was looking for you,” I say simply. I rub my fingertips along the leather spine of my book.He licks his lips, a predatory glint sparkling in his eyes. “Yeah? I mean, Zain isn’t into sharing unfortunately. Sorry, doll.” He winks and lets out a traitorous laugh. I crinkle my nose in disgust and shake my head vehemently. “No, I was actually hoping you could maybe shed some light on Zain. He keeps me at arm’s length. I don’t know a thing about him,” I say quickly.
