Page 467 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
We all followed her up to the front door. I grabbed the eagle head knocker and tapped it against the thick wooden door.
A little window slid open and two dark eyes peered through at us. “Password?”
I stepped aside to let Chad answer.
“Roses are red, violets are blue. For my future brothers, I brought something new.” He gestured to me, Ash, and Slavanka.
Oooh. I’m their offering? Yes, please.
The window slammed shut and then the door creaked open. But no one was there. It was just a dimly lit foyer with way too much wood trim on the walls.
“I guess we go in?” asked Chad.
I shrugged and stepped inside. Everyone else followed. And then the door slammed shut behind us.
Ash jumped and grabbed my arm.
“It’s okay,” I said. “They’re just messing with us. Classic pledge hazing.”
“Is it?” asked Ash. “I really think we’re about to get murdered.”
“We’ll protect you,” said Chad, puffing out his chest.
Slavanka laughed. “Hehe. Friendboy make funny joke.” She pried a great sword out of the hands of one of the suits or armor that lined the hallway. “Now we safe.”
We took a few more steps into the hallway. And then Ash tapped my shoulder. “Pssst. Chastity.”
“Yeah?”
“I have to pee. Like…really badly. Scary things shrink my bladder.”
“Okay, we’ll find you a bathroom. Wait a second! This must be what Single Girl Rule #3 is all about. Never let your friend go into a bathroom alonein a creepy mansion.”
“Sure,” said Ash, jumping back and forth with her legs pressed together. “Just find me a bathroom before I pee my pants.”
“I got you.” I turned to Chad and Scooter. “We’ll be right back. Ash has to pee.”
“You can’t just leave us,” said Chad. “The invitation was very specific. We were supposed to bring girls.”
“Okay. Slavanka will stay with you guys. I’ll go with Ash.”
“Actually,” said Ash. “I’d prefer if Slavanka went with me. You know…since she has a sword and all.”
I shrugged. “As long as you don’t have to go alone, then the Single Girl Rules are satisfied.”
Slavanka and Ash ran off.
“What now?” asked Chad.
And to answer his question, a door opened.
A cloaked figure emerged. “Good evening, gentlemen. Thank you for coming. And for bringing such a beautiful offering. Please join us.” He stepped aside and gestured into the room. A dozen or so cloaked figures were inside, all lounging on plush sofas talking to girls in party dresses. I craned my neck to see if Adonis was one of the guys. The cloaks made it difficult to be sure, but none of them looked quite tall enough to be him.
Chad started to walk in, but the cloaked man put his arm up to bar his entry. “Not you. I was talking to her.”
“Huh?” asked Chad. “Then what are we supposed to do?”
He pointed down the hallway. “Go down the hall and take a left. Door 3A.”
