Page 60 of House of Ruin
There was an archway on the right, leading to a dining room, where Blaze could peek at a black wood table standing under a massive crystal chandelier.
He casually walked around the room, looking for a place to hide a coin. There weren’t any books here sadly, just plenty of marble statues and other knickknacks just like at the Snakes’ home.
Finally, Blaze settled on a white marble bust of the Mother on the mantle.
From his pocket, he fished out another coin, and holding it in his palm, he pressed it to the back of the bust, where the symbol of the snake wouldn’t be noticeable.
A few drops of blood and a chant later, the spell was done.
Blaze turned to leave and froze in place.
Galia stood by the door. Her face revealed nothing.
“Got lost, Leveau?”
Blaze didn’t even blink, stuffing his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.
Galia’s eyes flicked down to his waist, where he knew she could see a tiny sliver of his naked skin that got exposed once he dragged the jeans lower on his hips.
He smirked. “I was looking for some party favors. Forgot mine at home, and this poetry night seems like a drag already.”
“You won’t find any party favors here,” Galia said. “But I have some in my room.”
Blaze huffed a laugh. “Sounds like an invitation, Rathone.”
“Maybe it is.”
“And here I thought we were enemies.”
Galia looked him up and down. “We are while we’re at the academy. But we won’t be here forever.”
“So?”
“So,” Galia said, slowly walking towards him, “when we graduate and leave this place, we’ll have to think about the future and the alliances that are useful outside the walls of this place.”
Galia stopped a few inches away from Blaze, looking up at him.
“Ah, aren’t you an ambitious little Rat,” Blaze said, tilting his head to the side. She didn’t even flinch at the insult. “Big Four don’t fuck with each other.”
“Snakes don’t. Other Houses do. Always have. And the times are changing, even for your House. The old ways don’t work. If you want to keep the power, you have to form smart alliances.”
“I thought Norse was your choice of an…alliance. Trouble in paradise?”
Galia smirked. She placed a hand on Blaze’s chest.
“I haven’t made my decision yet,” she said. “Have you? There isn’t much to choose from in your own House.”
Blaze’s blood simmered with rage.
But Galia wasn’t wrong. Once they graduated from Venefica, they’d have to think about what was next. The jobs, the marriages…anything and everything to ensure they kept their privileges and status.
Time was ticking. And if Blaze didn’t choose a bride, Galliermo would do it for him.
Slowly, Blaze dragged his fingertips up Galia’s arm, over her shoulder… When he reached her neck, he wrapped his fingers tight and grabbed her waist with the other hand, turning her around so her back was against the fireplace.
A breath hitched in her throat, but she didn’t fight Blaze or his grip, the hand holding her neck tight.
Blaze leaned in closer, and whispered over her lips, “If I were you, Rathone… If I were you, I’d wait to see who survives until graduation. Because clearly it won’t be all of us.”
