Page 18 of Play Dirty
But everyone knows the truth.
Behind the masks and champagne, it’s about selection.
Affairs are arranged. Deals are sealed. Lines are crossed.
For girls like us, it’s the only sanctioned chance to taste danger before we’re leashed.
Our lives are already mapped out. There’s no harm in a little fun; it’s more like training. As a crowned one, it’s my duty to train the new petals—teach them how to bloom into somethingdesirable. Obedient. Beautiful. Silent.
No one likes a woman who talks too much.
Not in our world.
The feeling of dread curls around my spine, sinking into my stomach. I suck my bottom lip into my mouth and type another message to June.
Hey, call me.
I stare at the message, hoping to see thereadsign. Anything. But, like the other five, it just says delivered. I take a deep breath and rise from the bed. I smooth my black pencil skirt and pull down the silvery corset. My hair is slicked back into a side bun, dusted with silver stars. No accessories tonight—just a thin sterling-laced mask. My heels click on the wooden floor as I walk to the closet.
Swinging the door open, I stare at it as if June will pop out from inside. But there’s nothing. Only boxes and our jackets that we barely managed to put away. My phone pings, and I almost trip over a random box trying to get to it. The contents from inside the small brown box spill onto the floor, but my attention is on the message.
Disappointment floods me when I readhismessage.
Devil
Library at midnight.
I toss my phone onto the bed, not bothering to reply. It’s not like I can say no. I can't. My eyes scan over the small space before landing on the box and scattered papers. Walking over, I crouch and pick up a piece.
From thelook of it, it’s a newspaper clipping, careful not to tear it. I open it.
“What in the—?” I mutter, reaching for another small piece of paper. This one is a crumpled-up piece of white notebook paper with the name Nico Reyes scribbled in the middle and a random address. Quickly, I scramble back to my feet and grab my phone– opening up the maps app and typing the address on the sheet.
How strange?
A marina?
What is this about?
Not knowing what to do with this information, I gather the rest of the pieces of paper and place them back in the box. What is June up to? Placing the box back in the closet, I reach for my all-black fur jacketand slip it on before closing the door. That sinking feeling appears in my stomach again — making me nauseous. And I can’t help but wonder again, what is June hiding? She’s not a crowned one, despite her father being part of Velarium and her mother being crowned. June decided to break away from all of it– not without a serious push and a major family fall out.
However, she accomplished her goal– no Delta Kappa Theta. Unfortunately, her freedom is an illusion; she might pretend, but we all know who holds the leash. At the end of the day, June Morelli is a Villalargo elite, and like all of us— she will also bleed.
Some more than others, but in the end, we all bleed the same.
I arrive at the party a little after nine, too early for my taste. However, as a crowned it’s my duty to make sure the party is perfect. I hire staff for all our events, but I still need to make sure that the decor is what I asked for. Tonight, we will be hosting the annual party in the university's main hall, nothing but a large white stone pillar. Massive black-and-metallic balloon arches decorate the doorway. Thisyear's theme is a silver and black masquerade; everyone must come dressed to impress and wear a mask.
No exception.
You also have to be invited.
This isn’t just some random sorority party; this is where the top of the food chain in Villalargos comes to claim what’s theirs and for the crowned ones to pluck their petals. Music blares from the speaker, smooth and classical. Selected servers move around the crowd, holding trays of champagne and seafood appetizers. Nothing screams money like a small mother of pearl dish filled with Beluga caviar and a single grissini. Thankfully, the rest of the girls are mingling with donors, while I drown myself in the bubbles of the rose-colored champagne.
Drunk is the only way to go.
The music is becoming too much.
The light is too bright.
