Page 2 of Crush

Aiko’s squeak draws our attention. She’s crouched on the floor, peering at Malcolm through parted hair. It’s enough to cause Malcolm to release the remaining hot air in his lungs.

She whispers, “I don’t think this is any of my business.”

My shoulders slump at the sight of my friend trying to make herself smaller than she already is while Malcolm and I rage at each other. I reach out a hand to help her up at the same time Malcolm bites out, “You shouldn’t be here, Aiko. Ember’s not receiving friends at the moment or any time in the near future. I assume you know the way out.”

“You don’t have to be so rude,” I snap while Aiko gets to her feet beside me. “It’s not like she’s your next caged pet.”

Malcolm spears out a finger, his eyeballs practically pulsing with fury. “Not another word from you, Ember. Aiko, please leave.”

“Yes, sir.” Aiko scampers out of my room, shooting a hangdog look over her shoulder as she does. I give a weary nod in response, letting her know I’ll be all right.

Hopefully. I’ve never seen Malcolm so barely controlled.

As soon as my bedroom door shuts behind her, Malcolm whirls on me. “That poor girl has no idea about the Societies, the Briars, any of it. You may be willingly putting yourself in harm’s way, but I have great respect for her father, who’s already lost so much. Do not drag her into this, Ember.”

Guilt swirls in the deepest pit of my stomach. I have nothing to counter with. I need Aiko to help look into Savannah Merricourt. To bring down Thorne. And after tonight, I’m not sure I’m willing to let her go so easily, despite it being in her best interest.

Selfish. What kind of friend does that make me?

Malcolm must take note of the shame on my face because he adds, in a softer tone, “Why did you do it? Why did you become a Virtue?”

I work my jaw before responding. “I thought it would help me.”

“With what?”

Malcolm’s eyes shine with concern. It’s so palpable against my skin, I have the urge to explain. “All my life, I’ve only wanted to make my parents proud. I didn’t think that should stop when I was taken away from them, but Winthorpe made me learn fast that doing it the honorable way wasn’t going to work. Studying hard, joining all the clubs, getting involved in sports—none of that would get me what I wanted, not when the kids enrolled here have political pull and mafia connections and … secret societies doing all the work for them. I wanted the fellowship, Malcolm. Badly. It was the one thing I clung to when I had nothing familiar surrounding me anymore. I was willing to do anything for it. Even—”

“Make a deal with the devil.”

My brows pull in. “Yes. I guess I did.”

Malcolm draws closer. “Ember, you have no idea what you’ve done, and that’s partially my fault. I should’ve been more up front with you from the start. These Societies, they look good. Shiny, sparkling, gifting you every accolade you can imagine, especially in high school. But in reality, they are cruel and operate under the greed of a singular person who likens themselves to a king. A ruler.”

“Damion,” I supply.

Malcolm nods. “Their rules are archaic at best and just as ingrained as they were almost two hundred years ago when the Nobles and Virtues were founded. The Raven’s Bluff chapter, however, our chapter, is crueler than most. They make you pay for every advantage you receive. You are in constant competition.” Malcolm risks cupping my forearms, but he does it gently and waits for me to draw my chin up before he continues. “For the rest of the year, you are at their mercy. Anything they ask you to do, you must.”

Searching his eyes, I find nothing but earnestness, prompting me to ask, “And if I don’t?”

“If you think losing the fellowship is the worst they can do to you, you are sorely mistaken.”

“Is that what they did to you? Why you—why you lost your wife?”

Malcolm blinks rapidly, his fingers spasming against my arms. But his voice is steady when he says, “It is one of many things they did to me. They also did a lot for me. I’ve been under their thumb for decades, Ember.” He squeezes my arms once more before releasing me and stepping back. “As will you.”

Deep-seated fear churns inside me at his words. It can’t be as awful as he’s saying. Why would so many of the privileged and elite join it if all the Societies did was ruin their lives? It’s not like I actually signed my soul over to a demon. “Maybe it won’t be as bad for me.”

Malcolm pauses at my door and looks back over his shoulder.

“You and Damion…” My throat is so thick, I have to clear it. “You’ve been rivals since your time at Winthorpe, and now he’s the king of the Nobles with a serious vendetta against you. I’m sorry for that. I really am. But I don’t have that kind of history. I’m just trying to survive high school, and if that means participating in a few of the Societies’ competitions or doing some favors, then I’ll do it.”

Turning fully to face me, he responds, “You are too sweet for your own good, Ember. It’s me who should apologize for getting you involved. Please know it wasn’t my choice.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand. Of course it was your choice to bring me here. You stormed into my home and literally dragged me out.”

Malcolm’s stare shrinks as if he’s in pain. He rubs a hand across his mouth. “I can’t change what occurred tonight. You’ve completed your last trial, meaning you should be inducted into the Virtues any day now. After that … after that, I will help you in any way I can. You come to me, Ember.” When all I do is stare, he repeats in a visceral whisper, “You come to me.”

His intensity is enough to prompt a nod.

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