Page 82 of The Initiation

Thirty-seven nothings…

I just shake my head.

“Then what were you doing? You look exhausted.” He frowns. “I really think it’s time to leave that place.”

This morning, I was up early to get to the dining hall, since I was expecting Syn to come back at some point last night. I was sure he’d be there to resume his torment at breakfast. Only, he wasn’t. He wasn’t in Payne’s class either.

But the early morning isn’t why I look exhausted. Since Thanksgiving, my mind has been spinning, keeping me awake. The little sleep I’ve managed to get has been restless. Last night, I even dreamt that someone was in my room, standing over me, but when I woke up, I was alone.

If I’d have asked for passwords, I doubt Gemini would have provided any, but I still can’t decide if the questions I asked were the right ones. When I told Payne I hadn’t found out anything, that wasn’t entirely untrue.

He already knew about the XXXVII tattoos, and that thirty-seven was what Cole told me. But the part about it being a secret society?

Over the weekend, I tried bringing it up again—when I was alone with either Royal or Gemini. Neither of them would give me any more information, and they both kept telling me to drop it. Gemini, with a somewhat manic glint in his eye, so I couldn’t decide if he was really trying to scare me, or if that was his way of saying everything he’d told me was bullshit. But Royal acted worried—afraid, even. Like Gemini had no right to put me in this position, and that the safest thing was to forget everything I’d been told.

Forgetting wasn’t an option.

Every question I’d already answered only seemed to create more questions, but the answers were still leading me back to the same place.

The Elite.

XXXVII.

Only, there was still something about how Royal, and even Gemini, were reacting to this, which left me concerned enough that, for now, at least, I know I need to keep my mouth shut.

“I’m not leaving,” I tell Payne. “Not until I get into their computers or their phones.”

Do I think there will be contacts conveniently labelled with XXXVII in there? No. But, there might be something in their emails and messages.

Because the other thing that keeps me up at night is Syn, Royal, and Gemini’s involvement…

James Patrick Keyingham was killed before any of them attended this college, so I sincerely doubt any of them had been involved directly. But if they were members of this secret and supposedly dangerous society—the same group keeping my brother silent—then surely they have to know something more?

Payne sighs as he opens his desk drawer. He pulls a small bag out and tips it upside down to empty the contents on the desk. From the collection of wires and plugs, he plucks out a small black item. “Here.”

I take it from him. The thing is cylindrical. About half the length of an AA battery, and a little bit wider. There’s a small glass dome on one end, and two thin slots on the other. “Is this a camera?”

“Nanny cams. They have about twenty-four hours’ worth of battery life before they need recharging, and about two weeks of memory for recording. If you can get this in one of their rooms and point it at their computer, you should be able to record the keys they use.” Payne pushes the wire and battery pack at me. “Plug it into the battery pack and you should get at least a week or two before it dies. You won’t need to worry about snooping around so often to risk raising suspicion.”

Looking up at him, I tilt my head. “You want me to go back in there?”

“Like hell I do. I want you out of there. But I know you’re going to go back, no matter what I say, so I’m trying to help get this over with as quickly as possible.” He frowns, then reaches over and takes my hand. I’m expecting him to take the camera from it, but he just holds onto me. “I will find a way to distract Synclair, Royal, and Gemini, so you’ll have some time to safely put that in.”

“How are you going to do that?” I ask, trying not to stare at his hand.

“I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” He still doesn’t let go of me, instead, just stares back at me. “I spent the week going over everything I’ve found out so far about Lucy’s last known whereabouts, looking over her bank statements… Something happened to her, Tori. She’s either dead, or she’s hiding from something so bad that she just doesn’t exist as Lucy Barnes anymore. Whatever happened to her, you can’t let happen to you. Do you understand? You have got to be careful.”

He means it. I can hear the sincerity in his tone. The fear in his eyes is making me feel… lost? Confused? Maybe even a little sad.

Since Cole was arrested, I’ve felt so alone. Everyone I know turned against me. Even people I didn’t know turned against me. Like I was just as guilty as Cole. I’ve been bombarded with hate and revulsion. The only ray of warmth and light has been Penny, but she was by my side from the day I met her and has steadfastly refused to move, even when I’ve tried to push her away.

But Payne, he was like everyone else at first. Just another person in a very long line who wanted me gone. Who used his power to add to my misery… Like Syn.

Over the years, I’ve learned not to trust people. Royal’s been acting like he cares, but only when Syn isn’t watching. I’m happy to let him think I’ve lowered my guard, but if anything, he’s only made me more wary. Syn and Royal—and Gemini—have been best friends for forever. They’re linked by this XXXVII, somehow… When it comes down to it, Royal will pick Syn. And I’ll be expecting that.

But I don’t get that vibe with Payne. And that scares me.

Because I don’t know what I get.

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