Looking out, my hands rest on the deck’s edge. It was quiet up here, unlike the area below. Guests not allowed up to the second floor.
It was a party, not a brothel.
I find her quickly, spotting her almost instantly in the crowd. Her outfit making her stand out. Compared to all the other scraps of clothing you could call clothes. I had been serious earlier. What was she thinking?
She wasn’t,my brain reminds me. That is the problem. This Rory did whatever she wanted, answering only to herself. Conforming to no one.
I’d admire her tenacity if I wasn’t biased, admitting I wanted her gone. She may dress differently and have a little more attitude than most people. Especially ones that cross paths with a hellhound. But deep down she was like every other bloodsucking leach standing among her.
After one thing, money.
Abram handing it over once and it was only a matter of time before she tried again.
I look out farther, the water cresting over, crashing. It smacks into the wooden deck that sat along the shoreline. Lapping back and forth.
My phone at my ear, ringing, waiting for Finn to answer. A fully formed plan already in my head. Rory hadn’t gotten the hint, so we had to make it clear. Transparently, clear.
The stone railing scratches my fingers, drumming the tips along its top. What was taking him so long?
We both agreed to make an exception leaving Eli out of the loop on this. Something we wouldn’t normally do, the three of us a unit, for everything else.
It also wouldn’t have mattered. He would have been outvoted, so we forged ahead anyway. Eli is in for a surprise like everyone else.
My phone pings. I pull it away from my ear seeing a text.
Finally.
Finn: Got the goods.
The edge of my mouth curves up, slowly. Spitefully. It was showtime.
Jumping up onto one of the oversized pedestal railings, I tuck my fingers between my teeth and whistle.
The music dies abruptly. Everyone’s attention on me—a familiarity I was accustomed to. My comfort zone.
I felt a hum in my buzz. Nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with the silver-eyed vixen below. A high like I’d never felt before when those inquisitive eyes land on me.
Our earlier conversation sobering me up like a nun. My euphoria from pure adrenaline and glee. I hope Rory appreciates gestures because I only know how to do them one way,grand.
This was going to be fun… for me at least.
I stare out at the people below, unfazed. Death didn’t scare me. It hadn’t for a long time.
Greeting the horde of people, I welcome the students of KPA back. Hollering their appreciation for another kickoff to the school year.
Chorusing their approval.
“As you know, it wouldn’t be a true hellhound party without some mischief.” More like sabotage, but that would give too much away.
Rory needed to stay in the dark, same as everyone else. Even though I could sense the gears in her brain already turning. Overthinking.
It’s like a sixth sense.
“Then, let’s get this party started!” I howl, raising an over pompous fist in the air ignoring that awareness.
The revving of an engine drawing out the blaring, chanting of my guests. That pristine white Jeep Rory’d been driving the whole week catching air as it barrels through the trees. Snapping every limb in its path.
Finn comes to a skidding halt and the crowd goes wild. Phones, beers, clothes, anything you could think of. It’s all raining down like confetti thirty feet below.