Page 3 of Carnal Heart
The morning I followed Zaiah into the gardens was the morning I planned on speaking to the beautiful fashionista. I don’t know what it was about Zaiah with his colorful outfits and large, innocent doe-like eyes, but I just fucking knew I had to make him mine. Maybe it’s because everyone was vying for my attention, unlike Zaiah, who was always completely engrossed in his books, oblivious to my crimson gaze drinking him in.
Right as I was about to step out from the shadows, Remy wrapped his arm around Zaiah. I saw red. That animalistic side of me wanted to rip out his throat and claim Zaiah right there in the school gardens for everyone to see.
It was the last day I saw Zaiah. Figuring my little crush was pathetic and pointless now that he was gone, I stopped stalking the beautiful man and decided it was time to get over him. I missed my chance. He left. End of story.
After most of the Black Harts spot their prey and leave for the party, I make my way downstairs, past the crowded entrance, and over to the next room. The music is louder here. Paired with the writhing bodies and eager eyes, I’m ready to leave.
Instead, I make my way onto the dance floor. At one point, a pretty female flirts with me and hands me a drink. I down it in one shot. And then I down another. As soon as more people see me socializing, the flirty remarks keep coming, and the roaming hands become braver. The wild touches and grinding bodies make me hard, but no one has caught my attention.
Whispers and questions reach my ears. Rumors of certain Black Harts and who they might choose. At one point, a few people ask if it’s true that I plan on picking Remy as my Praeda. I growl in frustration. Even here on this fucking dance floor, I can’t avoid my father’s request. When the next person gets in my face and scoffs, claiming that Praeda is rigged and my prey hasalready been chosen for me, I shove the taunting asshole away from me.
The stares are nothing new. Being watched is expected. But as I slip into the shadows, leaving a flurry of confused faces behind me, I have to admit, there’s something thrilling about being hidden in the shadows, unobserved.
I might not want to do my father’s bidding and go after Remy Lombardi, but with my luck, I’d accidentally pick him just because I erased the guy’s face from my memory. I pull up my multi-slate and find the email Father sent. Just as the photo loads, movement catches my eye.
My whole body jerks forward in shock before I freeze in place.There’s no way.
He’s back?
Zaiah Ruca stands there with his best friend, looking even more beautiful than ever with his vibrant red hair and sensual, pouty lips. As usual, he’s unaware of my gaze on him. He’s wearing a pair of tight-as-sin black pants and a pastel floral crop top under his blazer. I’m pretty sure that shirt goes against our dress code. It’s such an innocent little rebellion, but fuck, it makes me hard as steel.
My eyes drop back down to my multi-slate and I sneer. Is this some kind of fucking joke? I half expect my father to be nearby watching or for one of my fellow Black Harts playing a trick.
Right there in front of me, and on the screen, is a photo of Remy Lombardi in the gardens with his arm wrapped around Zaiah.
I grit my teeth. Just knowing that someone took this photo of Zaiah when I was there, too, fills me with rage.
Although, now that I look at the photo closely, the focus is on Remy. Someone was following Remy.
But what about Zaiah? And how is he here now?
A quick scan on my multi-slate shows me records that Zaiah never actually left Sacrum Cor University; he just changed majors.Fuck. No wonder I never saw him.He was constantly in different buildings.
But he was still here. All this fucking time.
Sticking to the shadows, I creep closer, eager to hear what he’s saying to his friend.
A notification beeps on my multi-slate, and I’m momentarily distracted by the photo of the man who took Zaiah away from me. As I stare at Remy Lombardi, my father’s words replay in my head. ‘I don’t care what you do with him, just do something.’
I smirk.
Father wanted me to choose a Praeda this year?
My eyes find Zaiah again.Well, I have chosen.
Father said he didn’t care what I did with the Lombardi kid, as long as I did…something.
For the first time tonight, I smile. A genuine, wide smile.
Father is going to be so pissed. I’ve decided what I want to do to Remy Lombardi, and I want to fuck him over. That cocky little shit thinks he can spread rumors about me and take what’s mine. He needs to be put in his place. No one can tell a Black Hart what to do, ever. Especially not during Praeda.
I’m going to take what that prick foolishly thought was his.
I chuckle to myself, unable to keep my heart from racing with adrenaline. “Oh, Father, you should have chosen your words wisely.”Let the hunt begin.
Huh. Maybe there’s something to this whole tradition bullshit after all.
Chapter one
