Page 96 of House of Pain
He shook his head, tsking. “I’m actually surprised it was as easy to get to you as it was. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, knowing how easily swayed you are with a little bit of attention. Isn’t that right?”
Rage surged through her, and she swung her arm, trying to catch Blaze’s jacket or his arm, but he stepped away just in time, laughing hard.
“Don’t be too mad about it, now. I didn’t lie when I said that I enjoyed myself with you. It’s always fun when she’s trying to pretend like she hates it. But you didn’t hate it, did you?”
Alecto pressed her lips into a tight line, refusing to speak. Her heart was hammering so hard she thought it might leap out of her throat, and her cheeks were burning with heat.
Chuckling, Blaze lowered himself to squat in front of her, their eyes on the same level.
“The moment I showed you a little bit of attention, you were ready to jump me and do whatever I wanted you to do, isn’t that right?” Blaze asked, cocking his head to the side. “All of that tough-girl act is just a facade. You’re ahalf breedafter all. You’re beneath us all, no matter who your father is or which House you belong to.”
Needles prickled Alecto’s throat. She couldn’t swallow.
It wasn’t something new, being punished for not being a pure-blooded witch in the world of ruthless witches. There was not a single day in her life when she didn’t have to fight to prove her own worth. To belong in a world that didn’t want her.
But the Snakes had become the one place where Alecto didn’t have to worry about it. She belonged because it was her birthright. She more than earned her spot in the Inner Circle.
Apparently, all that was in her head. She didn’t belong. She’d never be equal in their eyes.
“Let me make it very clear for you,” Blaze said with a sigh. “You dare fuck with me one more time, and I’ll end you. Consider this afriendlywarning.”
“Fuck you,” Alecto spat. “If you fuck with me, I’ll fight back.”
“Yes, and that’s all fun and shit. Our little bickering back and forth. But know your fucking place, Black. There are certain things you half breeds are good for. I can’t deny it. Stick with that, why don’t you? It’s what you know best after all.”
Alecto growled, thrashing once more, trying to reach for Blaze.
She was going to rip his fucking throat out.
But Blaze jumped back on his feet, whistling a tune as he turned and strode away. After a moment, he stopped and lifted his hand, a cloth bag in his palm.
“Good luck getting home tonight,” Blaze threw over his shoulder and walked away.
Alecto’s chest burned with anger so bright it was hard to breathe. But she was grateful for it because anger meant there was no place for other emotions.
The forest was dark and gloomy, and Alecto had an uneasy feeling. There was a reason why this forest was forbidden and no students were permitted to enter it. There were things here that were better left alone.
Especially at night.
She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths as she tried to come up with an idea of how the fuck she would escape. She wasn’t strong enough to pull herself up and untie her legs, and right now, she wished she was part of the swimming team or something.
Blaze took her bones, so there was no chance for her to use her magic. Not unless she wanted to draw from herself, but she knew better than to do that.
A few more breaths, and Alecto opened her eyes. She glanced around, checking for any threats, but she couldn’t see very far in pitch blackness. She lifted her arms to her hips, checking her pockets for something, anything. To her surprise, there was a pocketknife in her back pocket.
Alecto brought it to her face, inspecting the black blade. It wasn’t hers. She never carried knives with her. She didn’t even own one, apart from her athame that she only used for the spells. Did Blaze—
Something on her left rattled, and Alecto went still. She slowly turned her head to the side where the sound came from.
Six pairs of red eyes glowed in the darkness. The same rattling sound echoed in the night again, and Alecto barely held the whimper inside her as she recognized the sound.
Hollowa spiders made that rattling sound right before attacking their prey.
Panic rushed through her. She didn’t have time. She needed to act now. The large body moved forwards, long hairy legs inching towards her as the creature approached.
Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
Alecto drew in a breath, glancing at the knife. She wasn’t going to fight the fucking spiders with it. They’d end her before she even got to stab them.
