Muffled music that wasn’t classical bullshit could finally be heard. We came upon another set of doors that opened up for us. Gone was the beautiful darkness. We were let into an underground stadium.
“Phones and weapons,” a woman asked.
I eyed her up and down, but there was no tingle or draw. Even to slit her throat.Boring.I pulled my phone out and handed it over along with my gun. They weren’t getting all my weapons, but those they would clearly check for were handed over. Lux, Rem, and Samson followed suit. Every gun and knife that couldn’t be hidden was passed over. The tray became heavier with each item, and the woman attempted to keep the smile on her face as she stood there. However, it dipped as Samson passed over a knife that was still covered in blood.
I laughed. “Had fun without me?”
Samson shrugged, pushing his fingers through his perfect blond hair. And the moment his hand dropped to his side, the facade was back in place. A smile that could trick an old lady out of every dime she had. He shined it on the woman holding all of our stuff, and she blushed, completely forgetting about the bloody knife he’d just handed over.
“Please make sure to have everything locked up,” Samson said smoothly.
The woman was practically hypnotized. “Of course, sir. One second, I will give you all you need.” She turned around and placed our things in one of the safes on the wall. She handed over a single tablet.
Samson took it from her and brushed his fingers over hers, making her giggle like a schoolgirl.
“You’re gorgeous,” she gushed.
Her face went red, and she licked her lips seductively. Rem, Lux, and I hung back, watching Samson work his magic. It didn’t matter that the hands he was touching her with had caused more death than Jack the Ripper. Or the fact that he was undoubtedly thinking about how best to kill her slowly so that her screams didn’t die until he was ready.
She cleared her throat and leaned forward, pushing her breasts out more. I wondered what would come out if I sliced them open.Maybe cut down the middle, or should I cut around?
I blinked as Samsonreturned to us. The phone number was in hand as he handed the tablet to Lux.
We headed further in. Music blared through the area, and the closer we got, I made outSTFDby Tezatalks. A good album, one after my very own heart. Rem pushed the final doors, and we entered a huge area filled with both Aridole’s elite and grime.
Most students from the four high schools in Aridole were in attendance. Some might find it strange that a bunch of teenagers gathered up like this. However, in Aridole, nothing was ever as it seemed. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and every single person in attendance knew they had to be at the top if they would survive. Even adults of the cesspool they called home knew the rules. Knew that every single one of them here was biting at their ankles and would soon be stripping them of their power. It was a bloody vicious cycle that made my heart beat harder, making a heady rush feel like I was walking on cloud nine at all times.
“Ah, Lux, long time no see. Ready to lose this year?” Frances Cramer asked.
“If you think you have a shot, then, by all means, try,” Lux said.
Rem shook her head. “Small dicks don’t last long out here.”
Frances stepped toward her. I licked my lips, knowing exactly what would happen. People always made the mistake with Rem. Yeah, she had a pussy, but she was a fucking king. Before Frances could see it coming, Rem pivoted on her right leg and lifted her left to bring it across and down on Frances’s temple.
He fell, blood dripping from his mouth and nose, just as Rem put her foot down. Lux walked right over him like he was nothing. I followed behind, laughing, sparing his small puddle of blood the tiniest bit of interest. What could I say, my parents swore I wasn’t human. My fascination with the warm crimson liquid went beyond what was considered polite in high society. “Can we take him back as well?”
“No,” Lux said.
“You are really being a cockblock tonight.”
Lux’s dark gaze came my way, and the glare he was giving me would have made a lesser man piss himself. It just made me giddy.Will today be the day? Will Lux kill me?
“Get that crazy look out of your eyes. You aren’t going anywhere,” Lux said and moved further into the room.
Scantily clothed women came our way, handing us drinks and blowing kisses at each of us. The one who grabbed the most attention was Samson with his fake smile and fashion model good looks. How in the hell didn’t people see through it?
We stopped at a booth that was reserved just for us. Ever since freshman year, we have been the kings of Press Prep. It was alright, not all that important. However, Lux said that we had to be at the top at all times because after high school, he had plans, and there would never be a bottom for us. As long as I got to have my fun and the people most important to me lived, I was set.
I flopped down next to Rem and stole a smoke from her.
“Feeling antsy?” she asked.
I ignored her question. I was antsy for something else, but I wasn’t sure what just yet. “I wonder what the theme will be?”
Freshman year had been a money game. The ones with the most ruled. With all the endeavors we were in, we’d won by a landslide. Not to mention we had a world-class model on our side who just happened to be a hacker.
Sophomore year had been a physical fight. Rem and I had entered and tore the competition apart. The only downside was we weren’t allowed to kill anyone. Still broke bones and collected a few teeth. And the year before was a poker tournament. Lux won it without so much as a challenge.