Page 70 of The Prom

“The members of her Friday night club.”

She shrugs. “Teachers mainly. They are there through fear and their task is to groom a student and mess with their mind like she did to me. When they will do anything for them, they are instructed to prove their loyalty in a final act.”

Her voice falters. “Kidnap. Rape. Murder.”

She’s obviously worried that she’s said too much already and I match her urgency and growl, “You can trust me. I will keep your secret and help you. Firstly, who is under threat here at Rockwell right now?”

She chews her fingernail before whispering, “Jesse Anderson. River Callahan was, but he was shipped off to a hospital a few weeks ago for help.”

My blood runs cold as she sighs. “The other members of the Friday night club are victims of Angela. She controls themthrough fear and uses them for her personal enjoyment. To my knowledge, none of them are involved in the monthly final act, not since Jenna Sloane left.”

“What happened to her?”

“She was bringing suspicion on the society so she was cast out. When I say cast out–” Her eyes burn into mine. “I mean, she must lie underground until the dust settles and they find her a new position where she isn’t known. I overheard Angela talking on the phone and she mentioned a place in California where they intend on sending her. A college there for troubled kids, and she leaves when the next semester begins.”

“Where is she now?”

“In her house nearby. Angela visits her there and sometimes I am expected to accompany her.”

She shivers. “I want to escape, Mr. Bellingham, which is why I am trusting you by telling you this. You are new to her club. I could tell the idea of it disgusted you and I may be wrong to confide in you, but you’re my only hope. Please help me escape this place. I’m begging you.”

“Listen to me.” I smile reassuringly. “Tell me what you know. Every single thing and together we will finish this. I can help you, but first I must know your name.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a person darlin’ and not a number. We will start there.”

Her lower lip trembles. “It’s Delilah.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, Delilah. Do you have a surname?”

“Grimes.” Her shy smile tugs on my heartstrings.

“You’re not on your own anymore, Delilah Grimes and your days working as Angela Constable’s slave are numbered. Now you have a choice to make and consider it carefully.”

“A choice?”

Her eyes widen.

“Help me bring this society down, or walk away to safety now.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I have a place you can go that’s ready when you are. A safe place where none of them can get to you. I can arrange your room for immediate occupation, or you can stay a little longer and help me close this down.”

“I’ll stay.” The determined set to her jaw impresses me no end and as I hold out my hand, she clasps it with a surprisingly firm hand.

“Then we’ll shake on that.”

Her smile lights up the darkness. “I knew you would help me. You have the kindest eyes I have ever seen.”

Part of me wants to call Ryder and arrange her transportation out of here, but she will make my mission a lot easier and possibly help save more students than she will ever know. As we make our pact, my resolve hardens because Angela Constable will walk out of this over my dead body and I don’t intend on dying anytime soon.

THIRTY-THREE

IMOGEN

What with my studies, the prom and The Claiming, my life is full of activity, but there is really only one I’m interested in. Meeting up with Drake and since our night together, I am burning for more of them.

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