Page 130 of House of Pain
The beam of light exploded around them, and the spirits shrieked in agony. Alecto closed her eyes because she couldn’t bear to keep them open at the intensity of the light.
When the shrieks died down and she felt her magic retreating, she opened her eyes to find the basement empty. Just them and Rogue, all panting heavily.
“Fucking Hel, that was close,” Andro said, and then huffed a laugh.
“The Tigers have a death wish this year, so it seems,” Val muttered, brushing her hand through her ruffled hair.
Alecto eyed her for a moment, the adrenaline from what just happened surging through her, making her muscles tremble.
“Then we shall deliver.” Her voice was low.
Blaze glanced at her, his smile deepening.
Alecto had gathered that there was something in Blaze that always awakened in the time of cruelty, especially when Alecto was the one being cruel.
She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she kind of liked it.
That fire in his eyes made her heart beat faster, the air she breathed in feel fresher, and it seemed as if the whole world was more divine in the face of their wicked madness.
To be admired for her cruelty, for the darkness that stained her half-mortal soul, was even better than feeling desired.
“Let’s get out of here. I’m pretty sure this little spell won’t go unnoticed by the Dean.”
And someone was going to have to pay for it.
42
“Alecto Black as Carmen,” Madame Raquel read out loud from the book in her hand as Alecto sat in her acting class the next afternoon.
There were a few claps in the audience, but mostly only whispers between her classmates.
Alecto couldn’t hear anything specific, but she didn’t have to. She already knew what the other students were saying.
Fucking half breed, if it weren’t for her name, she wouldn’t be here.
Of course a Snake would get the main role. I bet they fucked all night for her to land that role with a bit of magic.
Half breed.
Half blood.
Mortal trash.
Alecto had heard it all already.
It didn’t matter that it was her very first time landing the main role. It didn’t matter that she did nothing but practice her craft, polishing her skills all summer instead of going on trips around Inathis or drinking herself stupid on the beach.
None of that was ever important.
She brushed a hand over her skirt, straightening it. She ignored the glances her way as Madame Raquel finished assigning the roles.
“I want to congratulate you all,” Madame said, scanning the crowd in the auditorium.
There was no way she could make out the faces of students with the lights glaring, but when her intense gaze landed on Alecto, it seemed as if she could see right into her soul.
“Today, I want you to find your partner, the one you’ll be practicing with for the rest of the year,” Madame Raquel said. “You’ll need to work together to actually make the best out of this play. As some of you might know, there will be scouts coming to see the opening night. I really don’t need to remind you how easily it would be for dreams to come true if you just nail your performances, right?”
Alecto recoiled at the thought of pairing with Norse, who was assigned to play Seville.
