Page 4 of Carnal Heart
Zaiah Ruca
Walking through the open double doors, I pause in the foyer and place the glowing pin on my lapel. Out of curiosity, my eyes trail up the red-carpeted stairs to the railing overlooking the room. A strange mix of relief and disappointment washes over me when I don’t seehim. In fact, I don’t see any of the Black Harts up there.
“We’re too late.” My best friend, Lana, groans next to me. “Damn. It seems all the Black Harts have already started their hunt.”
I roll my eyes, tugging her through the crowded room of writhing bodies and glittering lights. “Of course, you were hoping to catch their attention.”
“Isn’t that what tonight’s all about?”
“No,” I grumble. “Tonight is about celebrating love and romance.” I’m so fucking sick of everyone bending over backwards to please the Black Harts. Cor Night shouldn’t be about them too. Just because they are descendants of theoriginal founding families doesn’t make them deities. Although, some might argue that point.
All the Black Harts are as equally beautiful as they are terrifying.
“Love and romance.” She scoffs. “Too bad your ex didn’t get the memo.”
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me. Damn, I could use a drink right about now.” Usually, I wouldn’t drink at a big party like this, especially on campus, but I need something to take the edge off. Nerves rattle through me and my gaze scans the room for any Black Hart that might be present. I might hate the elite assholes, but they needed to know what I found out. Fuck. It’s either that or I could end up dead.
I let out a deep breath.I’m doing the right thing.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I think about the other reason I need a drink. Rumor has it Remy caught the eye of a Black Hart this year. And that’s all I fucking need right now, my conniving ex on the arm of one of the planet’s future leaders.
Good Light. Was Remy cheating on me with a Black Hart too? I can't believe this is my life. When they say certain guys can make your whole world tilt on its axis, it’s true. Only, ever since I met Remy Lombardi, my world has been spiraling downward.
I met him shortly after both of my parents passed. Suddenly, alone in the world with nowhere to go, Remy swooped in like my own personal savior. He offered me a place to stay and showered me with gifts and attention. Somehow, in a short amount of time, I became completely dependent on him. It started when my studies here at Sacrum Cor University required more of my attention.
Remy convinced me to quit my job, limit my time with my friends, and focus on my studies. Since I was on a scholarship, it was easy for me to agree. He was only looking out for my future, after all. Then, that’s when the little digs started. Remy talkedabout how frivolous my degree was. He drilled it into me that getting a fashion degree at the planet’s most prestigious school was not only a waste of time, but an insult. We rarely went out, but occasionally, we attended his father’s social gatherings, where I was introduced to influential men. One moment, he’d praise me; the next, he’d belittle my aspirations. He’d swing between compliments and dismissal of my dreams so often that I started to believe him. Eventually, the stress and shame got to me, and I changed majors.
From there, it only took two months for those verbal jabs to become physical. Angry tears fill my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. It’s so fucking embarrassing how easily manipulated I was back then.
One day after class was dismissed early, I found him in bed with someone else. He told me it was a mistake, and he’d never cheat on me again. Hatred raged inside of me. I didn’t believe him, but I had nowhere to go and no money to save me. I was trapped.
If it wasn’t for the call that Remy got from his father one night, I almost wonder if I’d still be Remy’s brainwashed little puppet. His toy to parade around and show off to all his father’s criminal friends. That phone call was the motivation I needed to get the fuck out of there. I messaged Lana and told her everything.
Making our way down the wide hallways of Sacrum Cor Hart, I’m reminded of the first time I stepped foot on this campus two years ago. Back then, I was immediately struck by the impressive archways and gilded portraits adorning the stone walls. When we finally arrive on the third level of the building and into the game room, I sigh in relief when I spot the small bar that’s manned by a fellow student.
“Thank Light, it isn’t too crowded.”
Lana squeezes my arm as we hop in line. “Are you sure you want to be here? If the rumors are true, then the chances are we’ll run into Remy tonight.”
“We have to be here, you know that.” Cor Night might be a massive party, but it’s always been mandatory, even for the Black Harts. I wave her words away. “The campus is huge. I’ll just find a way to avoid him.”
“I know, but you two just broke up, and it didn’t take long for Remy to start bragging about tonight. You don’t think he’s making it up, do you?”
I shake my head. “Remy’s too cautious about his social status; there’s no way he’d lie about this.” He’d be a fool to make up something this crazy. It would be social suicide.
“Who do you think it’ll be?”
“That’s the question of the night, isn’t it? Which Black Hart would be foolish enough to fall for Remy Lombardi?”
Goosebumps cause the hair on the back of my neck to rise. I glance around, trying to spot what suddenly has me on edge.
It’s been a while since I felt that strange sensation of being watched. That hidden, darker side of me eagerly embraces the dangerous feeling like a long-lost friend.Where have you been?
A shout on the other side of the room causes me to jump and whip my head around. Two students shout again, passionately yelling at the video game up on the holo screen. The lights in the room are dim, adding to the eerie feeling rushing through me, and there’s a dark corner near the only exit, but other than that, there aren’t many places for someone to hide. The sounds of chattering people, pool balls striking, and video game pings fill the room. Everyone is preoccupied and having a good time.
Nothing looks out of the ordinary.
Once Lana and I have our drinks in hand, I kerplop on the brown leather couch, my eyes lingering on the holo screenclosest to us, but my thoughts are lost in a dark memory. A time before Remy.
