Page 193 of House of Pain
He focused on the Dean’s secretary at the front of a floating chalkboard. At the very top, there were twelve marks representing twelve Houses.
“Fuckers,” Val muttered as Miss Bellthrove announced that the House of Dragons were close to stealing the Book from the House of Monkeys.
Norse, sitting a few rows ahead of them, glanced over his shoulder.
Anger and something else pinched Blaze’s chest when he realized the leader of the Dragons was looking at Alecto.
His hands fisted against his will, and Val didn’t miss it. She narrowed her eyes as she took in the scene, but she didn’t say anything.
Blaze ignored her.
When Miss Bellthrove announced that the Snakes almost had the Tigers’ Book and the Tigers almost had theirs, a wave of chatter went around the auditorium.
It was no secret anymore why the Tigers were missing two members.
Hatred.
Disgust.
Admiration.
Fear.
Blaze could smell other students’ emotions in the air.
“Guess who’s the most hated bunch of all?” Val snickered, clearly pleased with everyone’s reactions.
Blaze smirked as he exchanged glances with Andro.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have left Riverblood alive,” Andro muttered.
“I thought you were against getting other witches killed,” Blaze teased.
“I’m against killinginnocentwitches. Riverblood is anything but that.”
Were any of their kind innocent though?
They were birthed by the Gods out of the blood of mortals and demons, their souls twisted and dark, destined to be the ruthless rulers of all three realms.
Didn’t that make them allequallysinful?
It took a while for Miss Bellthrove to finish her speech.
“Thank you for your participation this trimester,” the Dean announced.
Cheers and applause, followed by shouts and howling, erupted around them.
The Dean’s gaze settled on their little group as he said, “Once again, congratulations to all who survived this round, and best of luck in the next one. May the best House win.”
“May the best House win!” the crowd cheered, and the meeting was over.
“Well, that was uneventful,” Andro sighed with disappointment, rising to his feet.
“Very,” Val agreed.
Andro stretched his long body, yawning as he turned away, eyes scanning the crowd. They waited for the other students to scatter.
Blaze leaned back in his chair, resting his arm over the tops of Val’s and Andro’s when a hot breath tickled his neck.
“What happens when a King’s head is cut off?” a hoarse voice whispered into his ear. The hairs on the back of Blaze’s neck rose as his muscles stiffened. “You’re next, Leveau.”
