Page 37 of The Prom

“I thought that was Frankie’s job?”

“He swapped with me because he wants to be in the chamber where it all begins with Luca. I’m not complaining, though. It will be fun watching those centurions squirm.”

“You’re an asshole, Jesse.” I toss my eyes and he grins, leaning on the counter, gazing at me with puppy dog eyes as he winks.

“I’myourasshole, Imogen, and I’m rather happy about that.”

He tosses me a cold beer and, as I catch it, I can see why all the girls fall for Jesse. He is a great guy most of the time, but the lure of that sick society is too great for a guy who faces a prison sentence when he graduates. I can’t comprehend what his life will be if he falls in line and does what’s expected of him, and yet this is no way out. He’s merely swapping one master for a sicker one, which fuels my desire to help him. Whatever it takes.

EIGHTEEN

IMOGEN

If I thought anything would change, I’m disappointed. The week passes in the usual blur of class, lunch, parties and headaches. Mainly the biggest one for me is keeping Jesse at bay.

It’s a double-edged sword because on the one hand it’s important I keep him away from Jenna Sloane and on the other he wants something I’m reluctant to give him. Me.

We make out, it’s impossible not to and yet that’s where I draw the invisible line. Occasionally, I witness the impatience in his eyes, the anger even when I smile apologetically and tell him I’m not ready. It’s hard because everyone else around us is tight with their couples and I’m certain Jesse now considers me a freak.

Tonight is The Claiming challenge and I’m interested to spend time with Summer. It’s been a while because she is so heavily involved with Luca, who still terrifies the panties off me.

As we make our way to the dungeon as a group, I walk with Summer and Luca as Jesse chats with Frankie and Cassie.

I love the way they are with one another. There’s an unspoken bond between them that requires no conversation, but I don’t miss the gentle smiles and the way they are always connected in some way or another. His eyes follow herconstantly, checking she is okay, and she drags the enigma out of him and sometimes he appears almost human. If anything, I wish I was free to explore my fascination for Drake, but that will never happen all the time we are at Rockwell Academy.

I haven’t seen him since we left the grounds and have had nothing but the odd check-in text. I’ve reported back, but it’s as if a cool wall has sprung up between us and I hate how hollow that makes me feel inside.

Summer chuckles as we follow the three in front. “You know, I’m kind of jealous that Cassie and Siri get the tunnel chamber. We could have fun with that.”

I nod my agreement. “It would be more interesting than watching the river flow.”

Summer laughs. “The river flow. Wow, we’re in for an entertaining evening.”

Luca groans. “The sooner it’s over, the better, in my opinion. It’s boring as fuck standing watching Santi lord it up over the challengers. He really gets off on power.”

“Do you think he’ll ever take part himself?” I’m curious about Santi, and Ali, for that matter, because both of them resist tying themselves to one woman, preferring to whore it around with any willing female who has the misfortune to stumble blindly onto their radar.

“They have no reason to.” Luca surprises me by joining our conversation. He isn’t one for gossip, speaking even and yet this is a side to him I like. It almost makes him appear human.

“Why not?”

I’m curious about them and Summer interrupts, “Ali is a mysterious soul who has more sexual freedom than anyone I’ve ever met. He comes to Rockwell for a rest and considers one or two fucks a night a welcome break from what his usual tally count is when he is at home.”

“That’s seriously disgusting.”

I wrinkle my nose and Summer says with amusement, “Just don’t accept any invitations to visit him on the holidays. He would corrupt every bone in your body.”

I shiver with revulsion. It’s not that Ali isn’t seriously gorgeous. I mean, those Arabic good looks are a definite draw to most of the girls here. He has an exotic beauty that is mesmerizing, and I’ve seen him pile on the charm and he is assured of success with any woman he chooses to entrap.

“What about Santi then?” I’m curious and Summer shrugs. “I’m not sure. I mean, most of the time he’s as easygoing as Jesse is and would make any girl a fantastic boyfriend. Then there’s the side of him that is still in kindergarten and I doubt he has the emotional maturity to hold down a relationship.”

“You got that right.” Luca almost sounds amused, and yet he still wears his sinister aura like a shield. I am so curious about him and his life—Frankie’s too. I’m aware it’s nothing like the easy nature of living with the Reapers, and a cold shiver passes through me when they stare around them with cool indifference. Summer lives that life, Siri too, but for some reason the girls have an openness that the guys severely lack.

We reach the dungeon and as we head inside the cool damp stone walls, a shiver of fear passes through me that catches me every single time I come here.

It’s as if the souls of the damned from the past scream at me to stay away. It’s foreboding and creepy as fuck, which suits Frankie’s personality perfectly.

We make our way past the cells that are empty for now as they await the newest set of challengers, who are all up for hunting one of the girls who want to be claimed. It’s a strange situation because life at Rockwell has always been a time to explore relationships, test connections and enjoy a certain level of freedom, but Frankie’s challenge reverses all of that and tests loyalty instead.

---