Page 41 of The Claiming

“Hey, honey.” She flutters her eyelashes as she waves off her friends with impatience, effectively securing a one-on-one chat with me.

I carry on walking and she matches my pace.

“So, tonight’s the night.” Her words are delivered with excitement and an invitation only a fool would miss.

“If you say so.”

“Are you taking part?”

She asks a question nobody but me and my fellow elusives has the answer to. The names on the challenge list are kept secret and nobody knows who they may come up against. There are rumors and false claims which add to the intrigue of what will prove to be an extremely dark experience.

I don’t answer her and she giggles, “I am. If it’s you chasing me, I won’t run too hard and just so you know, that will be your last chance to claim something amazing this semester.”

I still say nothing and her words rush at me with desperation. “We were so good together, Frankie. I can give you what the other girls can’t. I match your depravity, and there is nothing I won’t do for you.”

I note the cafeteria a few steps away and as we reach the door, I stop and say dismissively. “Why would I want something I grew bored with almost as soon as I had it? Go and find somebody else to play with because I’m not interested, and–” I fix her with a sneer. “If you were the only girl crawling through that dungeon, I wouldn’t bother to make chase.”

Her shocked gasp rolls off me like oil on water and as her eyes fill with tears, she whispers, “Why are you being so cruel?”

“Because you’re so dumb I must spell it out for you and save you from making a fool of yourself.”

I turn away because I’m not interested in sugar coating the situation to spare her feelings. Kennedy James is only interested in one thing. Status and position and she believes that by being my girl she will be considered the queen of the school. But I am a reluctant king and would rather that title went to anyone other than me because I’m not interested in jostling for position among the faculty. I know my place and it’s in a world nobody here would understand, except for possibly one girl, who, like me, lives a different life to the rest of the students and teachers at Rockwell Academy.

* * *

The guys areat our usual table and as I join them, Santi grins. “So, we get to bring your dark mind to life tonight, Frankie. It should be interesting.”

“Is everything set?” I ask as Ali delivers two boxes of pizza and takes the seat beside Jack.

He nods. “It’s all in place. Jesse will be at the river checking who makes it out and I will be at the entrance. Santi will be inside the chamber officiating and as we know–” he chuckles softly. “You and Jack will be otherwise occupied.”

I turn to Jack, who appears thoughtful.

“Anything to say, Jack?” I ask because I’m surprised that he put his name on the list at all. He is the only one I’m worried about because it must have been for a good reason, and I’m guessing it involves Cassie. I don’t want anyone getting in my way because Jack would be a strong adversary.

“Why did I put my name forward?” He shakes his head and groans. “I must be mad.”

The others laugh, but I consider him carefully. “You can always back out. There is a reserve list longer than roll call.”

He shrugs. “I’m curious, I guess, and have always loved a challenge.”

“Are you sure it’s not because of a certain young lady you are quite friendly with?”

Santi teases and I stop breathing as Jack leans back and sighs.

“Cassie has been in my life since I could breathe. We are close. We always have been because we share an unconventional life. I protect her and she has my back. That will never change.”

I study his expression carefully as he shrugs. “We are competitive. It’s written in our DNA and have always tried to better the other. When Cassie takes on a challenge, I’m the one beside her, which is probably why I signed up for this.”

He regards me with a blank expression. “It was never an option to stand by and watch her take on a challenge that I’m not part of. It’s not the results we are doing it for. It’s to win.”

“So, you’re chasing Cassie.” Ali shakes his head. “But if you claim her, she’s yours for the semester. Are you good with that if she’s as close a family? It would be like Frankie claiming his cousin Siri.”

Santi laughs out loud. “Can you imagine that? Both of you stuck with women you can’t have. God, I hope it happens. That would teach you a hard lesson, Frankie.”

“Or we could agree to help one another out.” I say coolly, regarding Jack through hooded eyes.

He considers me carefully. “I claim Siri and you do the same to Cassie.” He chuckles softly. “Good luck with that.”

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