Page 45 of The Devil's Wrath

I left without another word, my blood simmering with barely leashed violence. I would do what needed to be done, as I always did.

But I would do it my way.

THIRTEEN

WRENLY

Halloween.

It had been over a week since I’d seen Theo. He’d called a couple of times to check in, but he’d seemed distracted. I hadn’t pushed him for answers. We weren’t boyfriend and girlfriend, so it wasn’t my business. But I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t curious about what he was up to and why he hadn’t come to see me yet.

We’d had sex—wild, passionate, fucked-up but hot sex. That was it.

So what if his words had made me feel like he’d wanted more with me? People said things they didn’t mean all the time in the heat of the moment.

They had been just that—words.

I’d needed to get my shit together and stop checking my phone every two seconds, hoping he’d texted me, so I kept myself busy, focusing on work and hanging out with Vera, who had quickly recovered from the events of that night at the quarry.

The hospital had been short-staffed, so I’d been picking up some day shifts. Before leaving, I went to the break room to grab my purse when I overheard a couple of nurses giggling and swiping through photos on one of their phones.

“You have classes at St. Mary’s, right?” one of them asked.

I slid my stethoscope into my bag. “Yeah, why?”

“Well, my sister Brook just texted me and said she and her friend Emily were picked for some ‘hunt’ by some frat dudes. I guess three guys dress up in costumes and chase the girls through the woods, and whoever wins gets ravished and worshipped. She said a guy named Theo invited her. Have you heard of him?”

I froze, gripping the strap of my bag. “What did you say?”

The nurse looked at me, confused. “The Devil’s Hunt. It’s some fraternity tradition or something. Brook said it’s supposed to be super exclusive and secretive. Only a few girls get picked each year.”

“What frat did you say it was?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Something cultish. The . . . the Brothers?”

“The Brotherhood?” I said, my mouth going dry.

“Yeah, that’s it! You’ve heard of them!”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the break room, ignoring the confused calls of the nurses behind me. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail. I hung up and stared at my phone, hoping it would ring. But it remained silent. When I got home, I showered and tried to call him again. There was still no answer.

What had I expected from a rich frat boy? That just because he’d said some nice words and had given me the best orgasms of my life, we were suddenly going to ride off into the sunset together?

Stupid, stupid.

He had warned me about his life, and like an idiot, I hadn’t listened. If he was out there fucking other people, then there was nothing stopping me from doing the same. My pride was hurt, so I did what any irrational person would do . . . I texted Vera.

What Halloween party are we going to tonight?

Oh my god!!! I’m so glad you asked! Pi Kappa Alpha at St. Mary’s for all the girls not chosen for The Devil’s Hunt.

Good.

I’ll send you the address!

Meet you there!

---