Page 92 of House of Pain
“It’s a good thing you remember.”
Behind them, the voices carried over from the Dean’s building, and when Blaze glanced in that direction, there were three dark figures walking through the campus.
Killer cursed, and without a word, whirled and strode off.
Blaze had to bite down the laugh. Sometimes Houses took their rivalriestooseriously.
When three dark figures finally reached the path illuminated by light orbs, Blaze recognized Jack Riverblood accompanied by his two dads.
Neither of their faces were happy or calm.
In fact, one of Jack’s dads was fuming, his angular face red as he scolded Jack.“This was irresponsible. Bringing her with you for a weekend and then leaving her alone while you go get wasted.”
“What if whoever burned the House would have done that with her still inside?” the other dad chimed in. His face was less angry and more concerned.
Blaze pressed his back to the stone wall, hiding in the shadow as they neared the library.
“And now not only have you fucked up your Game,” the first dad continued, “but there is also no way the Tigers will be able to recover from the fire quickly enough. And you’re also suspended for a month, which leaves your House vulnerable. Do you understand how bad this is, Jack?”
Jack’s face was grim. “I understand, Father.”
They passed Blaze and disappeared around the corner of the library, so he couldn’t catch the rest of the conversation.
But what he’d heard was more than enough.
The Snakes had scored a jackpot with Alecto’s idea to burn the House down. With Jack suspended, they had the path towards the Tigers’ Book free.
The Tigers are so fucking done.
Pleased, Blaze whirled on his heel and walked away.
As he took the same path home, he once again stopped to look inside the library window at Alecto and Jolene, now both studying their books.
Alecto’s hair was pulled back with that cute clip, a few strands wild and free around her face. Blaze loved the way she looked like this the most.
After next Saturday and what Blaze had planned for her, Alecto would never look at him again.
So he stood there for a few more moments, soaking in the view of her before he fucked shit up once more.
33
The House of Dragons was an old Victorian mansion said to be haunted. It stood where Darly ended and the Cursed Forest began.Dragons loved to show off how fearless they were, but Alecto wasn’t fooled.
Their mansion wasn’t haunted.And Dragons did not ever step foot in that forest behind their House, despite rumors of their secret rituals.
Those fuckers were all bark and no bite, even if being in the presence of their High Priest Norse Fox sent chills down Alecto’s back.Andnotin a pleasant way.
Alecto was the last one to show up to the party, it seemed. As she walked through the old gate and passed people outside, already tipsy and enjoying themselves, she glanced around looking for her friends.
Alecto often got whispers and mean looks as she walked through campus. But, somehow, during the parties, most witches managed to forget what their problem with her was.
Not today, it seemed.
As Alecto entered the House and made her way through the living room and dining room, many eyes were on her. And neither of them were kind or friendly.She snorted. Guess people really suspected the Snakes for the Tigers’ House burning down last week.
Finally, a familiar face popped up in the crowd. Sadly, it wasn’t the face of someone Alecto wanted to see.
But it was too late because Blaze noticed her. He extended a hand with a glass of vodka, neat.
