“Your next trial will be an individual one that will test your loyalty.” Bass set the empty goblet on the fireplace mantel and motioned to our mantra carved above it. “Fratres Super Omnia. Brothers above all. Committing this act will permanently tie you to the Serpents & Daggers.”
Once this trial was complete, none of them would ever leave the Serpents & Daggers—at least not alive.
“Should you fail to complete your mission, you will fail to ascend to the next level.” Bass nodded toward Gage and me, and we grabbed the crimson envelopes from the altar to pass out.
Just before I handed over Micah’s, my stepbrother intervened. “This one’s been altered.” He produced another envelope from the pocket of his robe.
My head snapped back at the unexpected change. “Why?”
“Something more important came up, and this Neophyte is perfect for it.” Bass’s mask couldn’t hide the smile crinkling his cruel blue eyes as he leaned closer. “You were floundering, so someone else is taking over.”
Frost crystallized over my flesh as a boulder dropped in my gut. My attention remained on Micah as he opened the envelope, tension thickening the air. Bass wanted to make sure I saw Micah’s new task.
The first page held only two sentences.
This is a dangerous loose end that needs cutting. Death is the only recourse.
My stomach dropped.
No. No fucking way.
When he flipped to the next page, his face drained of color, as did mine.
The picture, taken from a security camera outside the house, showed a girl in a red dress and butterfly mask.
Auburn hair.
Blue eyes.
Oh fuck.
Bass tasked Micah with killing the girl who overheard us.
He marked Lexi for death.
CHAPTER 20
CIGARS AND SCOTCH
Lexi
I searched the crowded room for Micah.
Not Killian. Definitely not Killian.
I was looking for my date,Micah.Damn it, Lexi, get it together. I hated the way my body reacted to Killian’s when he dragged me on the dance floor earlier. She was one traitorous little bitch. A single sexy nibble from that asshole, and my brain had turned into mush.
I rose to my tiptoes and scanned the opulent room, skimming over the older couples swaying to the melancholy tune. One second the space was filled with frat guys in penguin suits, and then a second later, it seemed like half of them had disappeared, leaving us with only silver-haired alumni.
Both Micah and Killian were missing.
If it weren’t for what Micah had said earlier, I would’ve been in a complete panic, certain that Killian was somewhere beating the shit out of my friend. He must have been right, though. Thebrothers and the pledges must have gone off to do whatever creepy thing it was that secret societies did.
Cordelia shimmied over with two glasses of champagne and an overzealous butt bump. Unlike the opening night party with the banging bass, the music this evening was more Mozart than Miley Cyrus. You pretty much needed a date leading you in a fancy waltz to be on the black and white checkered dance floor.
“You definitely look like you could use another one of these,” she said.
I wiped my sweaty palms on the back of my dress and plastered on a smile. Reaching for the crystal flute, I gulped it down in one go.
