Page 18 of House of Pain
“Oh, shut up. You love it when I sing,” Val shot back.
So it was set.
They agreed to carry out their plan with an actual demon instead of a Guardian.
When Alecto once more met Rogue’s deep amber gaze, there was something very intense in it that made hairs rise on her arms and neck.
There could be only trouble when it comes to Rogue. It was written on his smooth golden-brown forehead. Alecto could only hope that trouble found other Houses and not theirs.
“How are we going to deal with him being around though?” Jolene asked.
“Simple,” Val said, hopping off the sink. “I’m going to let one of the new pledges go, so there will be one spot left free. Rogue is going to take that spot and officially be property of the House of Snakes.”
As always, Val had it all covered.
8
Val rapped her knuckles on the chalkboard floating in the air, drawing Blaze’s attention back to her.The chunky piece of white chalk was working hard scribbling something on the board.
Blaze hadn’t even noticed how his attention had wandered from the meeting to Alecto, who was folded in a leather chair in the corner of their home library. With her chin propped on her hand, she eyed Val intently.
All thirteen members of the House of Snakes—Rogue included—had gathered for their monthly meeting that took place every full moon without any exceptions.
Even if you were missing a limb, on the verge of bleeding out, you still had to be at the meeting on time, or Val, the High Priestess of their House, could expel you.
“Rogue Smolder,” Val announced. “He’s new to Venefica this year. Transferred from Hollowbay University. And he just joined the Snakes.” She paused, eyeing the witches. “We had to say goodbye to that first year, whatever her name was, to make space. Which should remind every one of you that if you’re not legacy, your place here is never guaranteed.”
Blaze barely held a laugh in.
How funny it was coming from Val, who pointedly wasnotlegacy.
Of course, nobody said anything. Just a few nods and they were moving on to the next topic.
“Anyway, today we need to discuss our Game strategy for this year,” Val continued. The piece of chalk was finally done with the scribblings. Val’s magic grip loosened, and it plopped on the floor. “Last year we were real close to stealing the Tigers’ Book. But we were not fast enough. This year, we can’t afford to make the same mistake.”
A few nods in agreement went around the room.
“Our target House this year is the House of Tigers. Again. So I wanna hear all ideas for—”
Blaze ignored the rest of Val’s tirade as he dragged a finger over his jaw, eyes darting between Alecto and the chalkboard.
That kiss at the Ceremony was a bit more than Blaze anticipated. He was supposed to humiliate her in public.
Yet, that’s not what happened.
Blaze could still feel the way Alecto’s teeth sunk into his neck. The way her lips sucked his skin, leaving the mark behind.
Blaze was in control. Until suddenly, he wasn’t anymore.
It absolutely annoyed the fuck out of him.
Who the fuck did this girl think she was?
To make matters even worse, Galliermo had to remind Blaze how big of a fucking shame he was, while Alecto’s father praised her to the Gods, even though she was a fuckinghalf.
When Blaze returned home for the dreaded family dinners next weekend, he wouldn’t stop hearing about it.
Alecto’s and Blaze’s fathers were business partners and old friends, going all the way to when they both were members of the House of Snakes. How come Alecto’s father looked at her with stars in his eyes, while Blaze’s father couldn’t wait for a moment to humiliate him?
