Page 31 of The Prom

“I haven’t been honest with you.” His voice is husky and laden with regret and I tense as I anticipate change.

“In what way?” My voice is dull, reigned even, and he leans back in his chair and groans.

“I’m not a teacher.”

I wasn’t expecting this and stare at him in shock. “Then how did you get the job?”

My heart resembles a menagerie of butterflies as they flutter around a cage in panic mode.

“If I tell you, it must remain a secret.”

“Then don’t tell me.” My eyes flash as I face him. “Whatever is going on, I would rather not know. It’s obvious you lied to me and I’m not happy about that. Take me back to Rockwell, Drake, and spare me the details.”

I’m angry. Fucking livid in fact, because it’s obvious Drake is writing his own agenda here and none of it is good judging by his tortured expression.

“Listen to me.” There’s urgency in his voice that sparks alarm and my fingers tighten around the cup as I wait for the ax to fall.

“You’re in danger, Imogen and I was sent here to protect you.”

I wasn’t expecting that and my mouth drops as I stare back at him in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

My voice shakes as his eyes gleam with anger.

“Have you heard of an organization called The Serpent Society?”

“No.”

“So, nobody has told you about it.”

He appears almost angry and I’m confused. “Why would they, and who are we talking about?”

“Cassie, Jack and–” He pauses before adding, “In fact, most of your friends.”

I digest this information, something tearing at my heart as I face the fact I’m the only one in the dark about this and it’s not a good place to be knowing my friends are involved in something that may be a threat to me—or them.

“Then perhaps you should enlighten me.”

I take a deep breath and he nods, switching the atmosphere to a business one.

“It’s run by a man called Christian Duprey. It’s not a society you would want membership of but his recruitment campaign extends to Rockwell Academy.”

I say nothing and let him speak and he says dully, “Jenna Sloane is one of his recruitment officers and even though she was fired from Rockwell, she is still working nearby.”

“What has any of this got to do with me?”

“Nothing directly but indirectly you are involved more than most.”

“But I’ve never met the woman, so why would it concern me?”

“Because Jesse is currently signing the membership paperwork.”

“Jesse?” My eyes widen and he nods, a grim set to his jaw.

“She has been working on him for several months, feeding him drugs to control him and trapping him with depraved sex.”

I feel sick and yet it’s all slotting into place. It explains a lot, and I fall silent as Drake continues.

“Jesse’s initiation involves controlling another student. He must prove he has the capability to dominate and drag another person under his command, much like Jenna is doing with him.”

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