Page 93 of Tag

“Fun for who?” I asked flatly.

“Some of the Marked and then the Huntsmen, of course. Think of it as a hazing of sorts.”

“It’s a lot like hazing,” I said slowly, realization sinking in.

“That implies we’re trying to join something,” Roxxi argued. “Last I checked, we didn’t ask to play.”

“We agreed to participate when we signed our acceptance forms for Crowsfell. I’ve been looking into it,” Cloe divulged. “Either way, our names will end up on a shiny plaque.”

“That’sfucked,” Roxxi stressed, going to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “If someone tries to drag me out to the middle of nowhere and strip me down for a twisted-ass campus tradition, I swear to God I’ll go to jail.”

Cloe straightened, brushing an invisible piece of lint from her top. “Look, we’ll get cameras and a full security setup as soon as I talk to my dad. Until then, we are going to check every doorand window before we leave and each time we come back. No exceptions.”

Roxxi capped her water. “Adding to that, when the Hunt officially starts, we don’t go anywhere alone. Period. As for Layla? She doesn’t get to come and go anymore.” She motioned to the sliding glass door. “That’s done.”

Ari nodded slowly in agreement. “Once we talk to the guys about all of this, I think we’ll feel better, but I like that we’re doing this on our own first. We’re not being damsels.”

“That word could never apply to us,” Cloe stated as if the very idea was insulting.

I sighed. “Let’s just get started.”

We began checking every entry and exit door, then each window in the house, including the ones in the basement that didn’t open. Even then, it didn’t erase the feeling that someone was watching.

Because someone was.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SANJANA

My eyes locked on the amber-streaked sky. The late afternoon sun had dipped just enough to cast everything in a warm golden glow and creeping shadows.

“One, two, down!”Roxxi’s sharp call cut clean through the blasting beat of our cheer anthem.

My core tightened instinctively as the ground surged up. Kellan and Noah caught me with perfect timing, their grip solid as they dipped into a cradle. The distorted guitar faded as the portable speaker cut out. My feet met the turf again, my heart still racing from the routine and adrenaline. We’d been running this for the past hour. The visuals were sharp, unapologetic, and loud, our formations in sync with every beat drop.

The pyramid drills had tested everyone’s stamina, and the basket tosses had been the centerpiece, mine especially, launched hard and clean, with the wind slicing past my skin before I was caught in familiar hands. Across the field, the football team’s warm-ups bled into the atmosphere. The sound of their pads colliding. The low growl of voices as the coaches shouted like drill sergeants, each command layered beneath the echo of our music.

“Nice job, everyone!” Roxxi exclaimed, clapping her hands once as her eyes scanned the squad. “Way to push through.”

“You nailed it today,” Mrs. Gale echoed from the sideline, standing beside Mr. Kruger, who had reappeared today like a barely functioning ghost.

His too-bright eyes and jittery energy gave away more than he probably thought they did. The rumors about his cocaineuse and marital issues weren’t anything new, though. Layla and Brooke bumped fists nearby, their laughter breathless, cheeks red from exertion. I bent to grab my water, still buzzing myself.

“You flew, girl,” Roxxi praised, nudging my arm as she came up beside me. “You never let me down.”

“Thanks,” I rasped with a smile. “But you know I couldn’t do it without Noah and Kellan, and our amazing team captain.”

“I am pretty damn amazing, huh?”

I laughed and turned to watch the football team, already knowing exactly where my eyes would land. Ryder stood near the 40-yard line, helmet tucked under one arm, barking out instructions to his offense. His voice carried: firm, focused, completely in command. His dark practice jersey clung to him, and for once, he wasn’t wearing sleeves underneath. The ink on his arms was on full display, all sharp lines and significance I probably knew too well.

“You look like you’re about to combust,” Roxxi leaned over and whispered.

“Shut up,” I hissed under my breath.

She gave me a slow, knowing grin. “Not a single girl or guy here would blame you. He looks like a sin and salvation rolled into one today.” She swept her eyes over the guys on the field and the benched players. “A few of them do.”

“Don’t go getting our players in trouble, Roxxi,” I warned jokingly.

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