Page 55 of House of Malice
“We are curious to find out why,” Val said. “Why would a prominent student with huge prospects quit everything to move to the Gods know where and teach art lectures at the college where worst of the worst of warlocks are?”
“That is indeed a curious matter,” Leigh said. “And I’d also be interested to know why that is hidden from his records.”
“He doesn’t want people to know,” Alecto said. She licked her fingertip and flipped the page of the magazine. “It means that he either isn’t proud of it, or he doesn’t think it would look good on his resume. Or—”
“Or he went there with a purpose,” Rogue cut Alecto off.
Blaze glanced at the demon leaning against the bookshelf with his arms crossed.
“And what would that purpose be?” Alecto asked, frowning. “It’s Grimswater. Being a teacher there doesn’t really open any doors. And it’s not like you make influential connections there either.”
“That is where you are wrong, Black,” Val said. She tapped her finger on the pool table. “We often forget that warlocks who attend Grimswater come from influential families who couldn’t control their children.”
She threw a glance at Blaze, and he ground his teeth.
“When it comes to making connections with people of influence, Grimswater might be as good as Venefica,” Val said.
“That’s not all,” Rogue said. “Grimswater is a well-known college in Hel.”
“Well, that is certainly not a surprise,” Andro scoffed.
“Well-known for what?” Val asked. “This is the first time I’ve heard about this.”
Rogue smirked. “That is because you never asked about it.”
Val crossed her arms, glaring at Rogue. “Then tell me.”
“The college is just there for the eyes,” Rogue said. Blaze sat up straighter in his seat, leaning forward. “It’s a distraction, so that people do not look into the things that happen in the underground club run by the same board that runs the college.”
“What sort of club?” Alecto asked.
“I’ve heard rumors,” Leigh said. They all turned to her. “But those are only rumors. There is no evidence.”
“There’s plenty of evidence in Hel,” Rogue said.
“What club are we talking about?” Blaze asked, irritated.
“There is an underground members-only club for the very rich and very influential—and extremely perverted,” Rogue said. “It’s extremely exclusive and has been operating for decades.”
“How come nobody heard of them?” Andro asked.
Rogue jerked his chin at Leigh. “As you can see, some have. Anonymity is one of the rules, and those who mention the club to outsiders die.”
“What does this exclusive club do?” Alecto asked. “Roll around in piles of cash, while jerking off at the fact that they are rich, probably famous, and members of an exclusive club?”
A corner of Rogue’s mouth curved up, and he looked at Alecto. Blaze wanted to punch the guy for looking her way.
“Close, but not quite,” Rogue said. “It’s an entertainment establishment for warlocks with peculiar tastes. They traffic mortals from the mortal realm: women, children, and men. At the club, they organize shows for the members using mortals.”
All hair rose at the back of Blaze’s neck.
“What kind of shows are we talking here?” Alecto asked, her voice low.
“Some include torture, some murder,” Rogue said with a shrug. “Others are rapes, and others include all together. The club caters to all tastes.”
The silence was deafening.
Blaze rubbed his chin, unsure whether he should believe what Rogue said. But then, demons couldn’t lie…
