Page 1 of House of Malice
1
“Dean Gondalez was the one who forced the Tigers’ hand last trimester. And he was the who pushed the Dragons into murder,” Galia said, her voice filled with barely controlled fury. “And now he’s trying to do the same withmyHouse.”
Alecto was robbed of speech. Her mind was stuck trying to comprehend Galia’s words.
“Ex—” Andro cleared his throat. “Excuse me? The Dean? Venefica’s Dean is the guy behind all this shit that’s been happening?”
Galia shot Andro a quick look. “Yes,Alessandro. Didn’t you realize that someone helped the Tigers? Come on, they might be one of the Big Four, but they are the weakest of us. Did you really think they would be powerful enough on their own to hackyourspell? I cannot believe you think Riverblood would have been smart enough to even come up with a plan like that. May his soul find rest in Meadows.”
Galia kissed her fingertips and shook them thrice, as it was the custom in their culture when honoring the dead.
It was mocking coming from her, of course. Galia Rathone honored nobody, especially not enemies from whose death she benefited.
“Explain,” Val ordered.
She crossed her arms, her face cold as stone. Galia sighed dramatically. But she did what she was told.
“Gondalez was the one who came to Riverblood with a proposition. He offered their House more power in exchange for help taking your House down.” She paused, her gaze sweeping past each of them. “You see, Gondalez is a smart man. He knows that nothing unites people as much as having a common enemy.”
“So, you’ve been involved with the Tigers’ plot as well?” Val asked.
She sat down on the pool table, her favorite spot. From her pocket, she fished out a blunt and popped it between her lips. With a murmured spell, Val lit the blunt, and soon the basement filled with the sickly-sweet scent.
Val had only taken one deep puff before Alecto walked over to her and stole the blunt, placing it between her lips and inhaling the smoke.
It burned her lungs and her throat, and Alecto wanted to cough, but she held the smoke inside, letting the drug seep into her bloodstream.
When Alecto caught Blaze’s gaze, he cocked an eyebrow in question. Alecto just shrugged. She didn’t want to be sober for this conversation.
With a smirk, Val took the blunt back from Alecto and returned her attention to Galia.
“I have not,” Galia answered Val.
“So how do you know about this?” Val asked. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re feeding us bullshit right now. Why should I believe anything that’s coming out of your mouth?”
Val’s words made Galia bristle. She shifted in her seat, her eyes flicked from person to person.
“Look around you, Valeria. We are the only two High Priestesses from the Big Four Houses still in power. In the whole history of Venefica, there hasn’t been a time where two High Priests of the Big Four Houses fell one right after another. Gondalez is on a path of vengeance, ready to ruin the House of Snakes, but he will ruin all of us in the process if we don’t stop him.”
“Gondalez is from the House of Rats,” Jolene pointed out. “I doubt he would do much damage to his own House, no matter how much he wants to see the Snakes fall.”
Andro turned to Galia. “I find it odd that you’re worried about your own alumnus so much.”
Before Galia could answer, Val said, “That is because you, Andro, are completely oblivious when it comes to alumni. Galia, what does Gondalez want from you?”
“He wants me to swear a blood oath to him,” Galia said through gritted teeth. “This is how he got the other High Priests to do his bidding. Those assholes did it, thinking that it would be worth it. I know better than that.”
“Riverblood, I can understand,” Andro said, tilting his head to the side. He sighed. “But Norse? What a shame that his sexy ass is dense enough to swear a blood oath.”
Jolene and Alecto burst out laughing. Even Blaze managed a smirk while he rolled his eyes.
“Is this funny to you?” Galia snapped. They all fell silent. “Dean Gondalez has been in his position for decades. He’s friends with powerful and influential witches from all around Inathis. And let’s not forget the fact that he’s had years to practice his witchcraft, which makes him a very dangerous foe. And you think this is funny?”
“Nobody thinks it’s funny,” Val said, her voice flat. “Tell me, do you know anything about why Gondalez is so desperate to ruin our House?”
Galia shrugged. “I’m not his personal confidant, so I can’t tell exactly. But if I were to guess, then I’d say he’s probably tired of the Snakes’ never-ending arrogance and the cruelness you keep on demonstrating to everyone around you.” Her eyes flickered with so much anger, Alecto was surprised Galia didn’t start hexing them left and right. “I’m not even sure why I want to try and stop Gondalez. Maybe it’s time all of it finally bites you in the ass and your House gets what it deserves.”
“This is how it’s always been,” Blaze said. “Ruin others before they ruin you.”
