Page 2 of The Devils They Are

Former members of Cedar Heights Academy and Willowbrook Academy, they kindly dedicate their time to their old stomping grounds. Some might say they are corrupt for engaging in what a normal person would describe as illegal activities, but I would argue it's a community service. Outside of here, we’re all model citizens.

I'm surrounded by the crowd of blue jerseys—my fellow classmates from Cedar Heights Academy. Across the room, it’s a different color scheme–stark white attire with black writing. It's laughable, utterly fucking ridiculous even—a color used to depict purity and innocence… two words you would never associate with the assholes of Willowbrook.

Somewhere in the middle of the room around the cage, that's where things start to get a littlemixed up. People from the rival schools pass each other as they head to the restrooms or drinks line, no clear barrier between the two groups. We co-existmostly in peacewhile we wait for the scheduledfights to start. But even through the large crowd, I can spotthemeasily.

The so-called Kings of Willowbrook.

Rylan Astor, Hunter Lannister, and Tai Beckett.

On their side of the room, they've set up makeshift thrones—if you can even call it that. Made from chunks of metal, barbed wire, and oak, the three of them sit a foot and a half above their people—staring down at them like self-proclaimed Gods among men.

They aren't Gods though. They are Devils—evil in poor disguise.

As if sensing my heated hatred coming his way, a pair of baby blue eyes snap in my direction. His lips curl into a smirk, fingers dressed in silver rings strumming along his jaw.

Rylan Astor is the bane of my existence. Wait, that's far too polite.

He's an abomination, an odium to my very being.

A dash of moving light reflects little hints of caramel in his dark brown hair as he turns to his left, responding to something Hunter has said.

If there was ever a walking contradiction, it would be Hunter Lannister. His sharp forest green eyes never miss a single thing, but he loves to pretend to be naive. An apex predator, he will lure you in with false pretenses, waiting for the perfect moment to strike when your back is turned.

I can only assume that's why he's dyed the tips of his jet-black hair red—to warn people that he's not afraid to spill blood.

Well, neither am I.

Hunter's father might be the dean of Willowbrook Academy, but while that doesn't give him an exact automatic pass to do whatever he likes, he does grab the nepotism perks by the balls. Which is why he's a conniving snake.

You'd be stupid to fall for his charms and good looks. Designed to be the perfect predator, he will draw you in until you slowly suffocate to death.

But despite all their questionable doings, they are well protected. People often make the mistake of thinking Hunter is the number one threat in their group, but I'd argue they are all equally fucked up.

Rylan definitely snapped that title up with ease a few years ago. His father, Max Astor, is the mayor of Ridgeview Valley. At least until the next election in a few months.

It was a close count in numbers, but I have no doubt it will swing back to us again. It's never a popularity contest—just merely a battle of numbers. And a whole bunch of us from Cedar Heights just turned eighteen and we're ready to flip the numbers as soon as we get the chance.

It's easy to tell I'm the current topic of their conversation, the two of them watching me closely. They don't even bother to hide it. And of course, their attention and heated whispers grab the awareness of the third member of their little kingdom.

Tai Beckett looks over, finding me easily in the sea of blue, a wide smile flashing my way. Some days, I would love nothing more than to wipe that smug look off his face.

Pushing his ashy silver hair back, I can't help but notice his fingertips as his eyes scan over me. His black nails match his soul–I guess he can accessorize too.

His hazel eyes are more on the green side, but close up, there’s specks of orange and blue around the irises.

When he doesn’t shift his gaze from me, I lift my hand, slowly raising my middle finger shamelessly at him.

After I fell down the Wikipedia rabbit hole and learned that purple was the color of royalty, I decided to adopt it for the foreseeable future. Unlike them, I don't need a dick to rule—let alone three. I'm strong enough to hold that title on my own.

Rylan raises an eyebrow, amused at the exchange between Tai and I. But I stop wasting my energy on them when a body is shoved toward me.

Joshua falls down onto the concrete floor with a heavy smack, groaning for a brief second before pushing quickly to his feet. Archie remains behind him, blocking the escape with his arms folded.

"Joshua," I start firmly, folding my arms. "Have you been sharing pictures that don't belong to you?"

His eyes snap to mine, trying to keep his expressionless, but panic quickly flashes back at me. "I didn't realize it wasyourcunt," he answers defensively. "I just found it… amusing."

Liar liar.I bet this asshole jerked off to my photo at least five times.

---