“You’re about to find out anyway, so screw it,” she said, as though she’d finally tired of protecting the Night Sons’ secrets. “If Enzo chooses you as his Fawn, which after …” She gestured toward his mess. “I’m almost positive he will.” Sympathy passed over her features. “He’ll make your life a living hell, Blair.”
She scooted closer and lowered her voice, as if Enzo were listening somewhere. “If there’s any chance your parents will let you drop out, leave now.”
My pulse roared as I squeezed my eyes shut. I was stuck here. My stepfather wouldn’t allow me to drop out. And I had better odds of my mother ignoring my calls than answering them.
I buried my hands in my hair, bowing my head, remembering I didn’t even have a phone. I must’ve lost it in the woods, or Enzo had stolen it while manhandling me.
Asking for a replacement would only add to my problems. I was already at the top of my stepfather’s shit list, and it would hand my mother another excuse to unleash her favorite punishment—the silent treatment. Last time, she stretched it to eightmonths straight. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to beat her record next time.
Enzo’s words from last night clawed their way back into my head.“I’ll force you to bathe in their blood before I drown you in it.”
My insides went tight. I believed every word.
“I don’t get it,” I muttered. “Why do families send their daughters here, knowing this can happen?”
Daphne lifted a shoulder in a tired shrug. “Most people have no idea the Night Sons or Fawns even exist. To them, Saint Vale is just prestige and pedigree, a secure place where their nepo babies can screw up without the world watching.”
“What about the ones who do know?”
“They’re usually former Sons or former Fawns. And in those cases, the parents hope their daughters get chosen.”
“What?” I shrieked. “Theywantthis to happen?”
“Only the powerful become Sons. And sometimes those Sons end up marrying their Fawns. For certain families, being chosen can be a great opportunity … or it can be hell. With Enzo, it’s always hell.” She rubbed her arms as her gaze traveled to the window behind my bed. “He’s had two other Fawns. Clarissa last year. And the girl before her ended up institutionalized.”
Oh great. So death or an insane asylum.
“Have you ever been a Fawn?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I like to believe I’m safe, but nothing is guaranteed.”
“Safe?” I leaned forward. “How?”And how the hell do I get on that list?
“I’m friends with most of the Havens.”
I blinked at her. “The … who?”
“The Havens. Every Son can mark a girl as off-limits. Just one. They usually pick a sister or someone in their family. Those girls are called Havens. I’m friends with most of them and considered part of their group. If a Son were to choose me, it’d piss off their Haven. They don’t want that drama.”
I stared at her, then at the shredded curtain, then at my desk,where my MacBook once had been. “What the hell did I get myself into?”
“The underbelly of the rich and powerful,” she said gently, climbing over me to hop off the bed. She squeezed my foot in a small, pitying gesture. “Saint Vale was built on secrets. I’m sure your parents didn’t know this could happen.”
“Why would Enzo choose me?”
She shoved her feet into her slippers and shrugged. “No one understands Enzo. His mind’s warped, and his heart is dead. His Fawns have been different every year. There’s no pattern. He has no preference. I heard that he wasn’t taking a Fawn this year, but I guess he saw you and changed his mind.”
What the hell did I do to catch his attention?
Whatever it was, I knew one thing for sure: I hadn’t dragged myself through life, fighting to survive, only to kneel to Enzo Marchetti.
If he thought I’d submit, he was wrong.
I’d fight back.
My throat felt raw when I cleared it. Probably leftover damage from my screaming last night.
“They tortured Jett in front of me,” I revealed.
