Page 10 of House of Pain
When Val’s head appeared on the stage, Blaze snapped his attention to their group.
The fourth and third years were all at the front, standing in a circle, where the second years kneeled obediently in the center. Blaze tugged at Alecto’s hand, dragging her after him to join the circle.
Alecto was supposed to be inside, kneeling with the rest of second years, getting ready to find another witch to kiss, because she refused to have sex for the sake of her performance like the rest of them.
But what fun would that be for Blaze if they followed the rules?
Val’s intense gaze indicated that she wasn’t happy with Blaze’s disobedience.
But while she was their leader, and for the most part, Blaze respected that, he was her Second andlegacy.
Blaze was allowed to break some rules of hers, and Val didn’t get to say anything about it.
If she was pissy about it later, Blaze knewexactlyhow to coax her back to a pleasant state.
Besides, Blaze was sure Val would appreciate a little bit of humiliation on Alecto’s part.
Finally, lyrical music filled the stage, dramatic notes traveling through the air with such intensity, they tickled his skin. Right then, three first years—their newest pledges—appeared on the stage, long white cloaks flowing down their bodies and covering their faces as they took their spots around the stage.
Alecto’s hand stiffened between Blaze’s fingers, and he stole a sideways glance at her face.
She was probably freaking out by now, even though it didn’t show on her perfectly composed face.Good.
Just a little bit more taunting, and then it’s going to be over.
Blaze wasn’t completely heartless—he wouldn’t torture Alecto for too long.
Just long enough.
Soon, the chants started as the third and fourth years around the circle started swinging to the rhythm of the music. Blaze joined in, tipping his head back and closing his eyes, allowing himself to get lost in the music just for a moment.
The music rippled through him, caressing his skin, the tingly feeling of his magic awakening inside his chest, spreading further to the very tips of his fingers.
Someone on his side gasped, and he cracked his eyes open to meet Alecto’s bewildered gaze, her rosy lips parted as she stared at him.
Blaze offered her a lazy grin as he straightened himself. Then, he wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her closer.
Alecto tried to resist, but her efforts weren’t fertile. Soon her shoulder was pressing into his chest.
The chanting was getting more intense, making Blaze’s skin hum with anticipation. He had forgotten that once you get on that stage, once you stand there with magic making its way to the marrow of your bones, boredom dissipates.
And all that’s left is the pit of bottomless hunger for power and destruction, thirst for things their kind was created for.
The second years in the middle of the circle were midway through the action, their mouths connected, sliding from one sloppy kiss into the next one, bodies pressed tight together as if they were trying to melt into one.
It was intoxicating to watch, and Blaze’s leather pants were suddenly too tight.
He swallowed hard, dragging his attention from the middle of the circle to the girl still pressed to his chest.
Alecto met his gaze and narrowed her eyes. Grinning, Blaze wet his lips and then ducked his head down, his lips grazing hers.
At first, Alecto jerked backwards, but he held her firmly in place, swooping her hips into his palms. Unsurprisingly, she relented.
From time to time, Blaze liked to tease Alecto, making sultry remarks, watching her squirm.
Just like the other night at the party.
It brought him so much satisfaction.
