Page 39 of The Prince of Power

“Anyways.” She brightens. “I’ll never move up because of Hunter.”

I frown. “Hunter? Why?”

“He loves torturing me for fun.” Her smile grows mischievous. “I like to say it turns him on, which only gets me in more trouble.”

I nod slowly. “But it’s not real trouble, right? Even the whole servant thing is just a kind of hazing?”

She couldn’t have been “hazed” the way I was. In the middle of nowhere in the dark. With a knife. Not Damian’s sister.

“Right,” she says. “It’s actually really fun to play castle every day. Are you ready for me to show you around? Damian will be waiting for you.” She pulls the door wide open.

As I follow her out, a slew of questions race through my mind. How could someone who seems so normal be the sister of that…psychopath? If this really is a cult, how could she be a member?

What would the cult even be about? There’s been no mention of gods. Just four entitled guys acting like they’re part of something sacred. If Thornecroft is anything, it’s a glorified boys’ club—dressing up control in theatrics to make it feel important.

Maybe Lucy doesn’t know. I get the impression that only a few people are in on the big secrets. Damian told Rhett—on the evening that now feels like an eternity ago—that he could learn more secrets if he were willing to sacrifice me.

It seems unlikely that Damian’s own sister could be blind to what this place is, but then again, her whole demeanor is so light. She even said the words “play castle.”

Maybe this is part of how they lure people in. They make it seem like one big game. By the time you see the true darkness, you’re already in over your head.

We round a corner, and a tall figure steps into view, nearly blocking the hallway. Hunter. He looks like he just showered, and I’m struck by how handsome he is. His beauty isn’t aspiercing as Damian’s, but maybe it’s because his face lacks expression. He’s so blank all the time.

His gaze lands on Lucy, and his mouth pulls into a small smile. Even the faint movement lights up his entire face.

I was wrong. His beauty is intense. He just needs the right spark to set it off.

Hunter crosses his arms. “I didn’t give you permission to make eye contact with me.”

Lucy rolls her eyes. “Why don’t you take me into the courtyard and give me a public flogging?”

He lowers his chin. “I’d enjoy every moment of it.”

Lucy waves a hand in his direction. “Of course you would, you kinky bastard.”

With that, Lucy walks past Hunter, leaving me to scurry behind.

“So wait…” I say breathlessly. “That eye-contact thing is for real?”

“A lot of people here take it seriously. You know how frats are. They make stupid little games into some kind of religion.”

“Yes, but…” I lick my lips. “Does that mean I’m not allowed to make eye contact with Damian either?”

Lucy sighs. “Technically, no. Not with Hunter, Kane, or Asher, and definitely not with the dictator.”

I snort. “A perfect name for Damian.”

Her eyes twinkle. “I like you, Ava.”

My chest warms. I like her too.

Lucy leads me down another corridor. “So here’s the gist of your duties,” she says with a smirk. “You do anything Damian says, and that’s basically it. Anything he makes you do will be for his own entertainment. Because he’s a sadist.”

“I’ve noticed.”

She nods. “So don’t let him figure out what you don’t like doing, because he’ll definitely make you do it. Once you’re his consort, he’ll treat you much nicer.”

I scoff. “I’m not interested in being his consort.”