Eight
SCARLETT
B eep! Beep! Beep!
The blaring sound of the alarm I set for seven o’clock this morning, knowing well enough we’d probably not wake up on our own accord, wakes me abruptly. My head’s throbbing, my body cramping, feeling as if I’ve just barely fallen asleep. Luckily enough, I didn’t have too much to drink last night so at least I’m not hungover, just severely exhausted.
A soft groan comes from beside me and I turn to find Stella spread across the majority of my bed, with the covers pulled over her head.
“How are you feeling, Silver?” I ask, pulling her covers down slightly.
“Better than I deserve,” she mumbles, rubbing her eyes tiredly. “I don’t know what got into me. I never drink like that, especially not the night before school starts. I swear I’m more responsible.”
“Well, it looks like our bad influence has already rubbed off on you. ”
“Oh please,” she says, sitting up. Her hair is a mess of strawberry blonde curls, eyes puffy and tired, and her facial expression shows exactly how she’s feeling. “You guys have been nicer to me than anyone has in a long time, and you don’t even know me,” she says with a genuine smile on her face.
I nod agreeing with her. “You came in not judging us, not asking questions, not blaming us for ruining your school’s reputation without even knowing us. You just accepted us for who we are and showed us a hell of a good time given the circumstances of the day. You’re the real deal, Silver. An honest to God unicorn.” She laughs, a small blush creeping over her cheeks as she takes in my compliment.
“We’re going to be best friends,” she says with the widest grin I’ve seen on her since we met. “I can feel it.”
I laugh pushing her playfully. “Come on, Silver, we gotta get ready or we’re gonna be late.” She turns to the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand beside the bed and gasps in horror.
“Crap… that’s the time. We’re going to be so late.”
“Well, I’m gonna shower.” I head over to the bathroom as she scatters anxiously off the bed, tangled in the sheets nearly tripping over herself.
“I’ll go make sure Jade and Ruby are up.” I clear my throat and she halts in the doorway, confused by the way I’m looking at her, smirking and shaking my head. “Right, okay I’ll wake up Jade, and you can wake up Ruby. I’d like to live for my first day of school.” I laugh knowing she’s probably right.
Ruby is not a morning person. She’s actually not an any time-of-day person, especially after being out so late the night before. Girl needs her beauty-sleep and anyone who interrupts it better beware of the wrath of the ferocious dragon when they do.
After one of the fastest showers I’ve ever taken, luckily quick showers were essential at the Grayson’s since we were always running out of hot water, I head back to my room and notice a garment bag similar to the one Stella pulled out of Ruby’s closet yesterday. Stella must have laid it out before heading to her room to get ready.
Walking over to the bed, I unzip the bag revealing the wretched Servite Academy uniform. I can’t believe we have to wear an actual uniform. The one good thing about public schools, no stupid uniforms. That, and well, no judgmental, entitled assholes either.
I slip into the uniform, which fits me perfectly, letting my wet hair fall down my back, but in the end choosing to tie it into a loose ponytail. It’s still the middle of summer, and I can imagine the heat will be unbearable in this getup. Stepping over to the full-length mirror hanging on the closet door, I hardly recognize myself in my reflection. The red and black plaid skirt stops right at the middle of my thigh, the white-collared blouse made of a thin, obviously expensive material fits me like a second skin, and the black blazer embroidered with a red and gold crest finishes this “perfect private prep-school chic” look everyone’s going for.
Looking closely at the red and gold crest on the right side of the blazer, I notice it’s not just the silhouette of a man, but a knight in armor riding a stallion. A horseman. Under it in gold embroidered lettering is a phrase I can’t quite understand.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.
“It’s Latin,” Stella says, walking in with Ruby and Jade behind her. “If you wish for peace, prepare for war. School motto.”
All three of them stand at the entrance of my room, already dressed to impress in matching uniforms. Jade and Stella wear their hair pulled up into a high ponytail, while Ruby wears hers loose down her back.
“That’s morbid,” Jade says as she sits down on the corner of my bed.
“The knight isn’t your typical knight in shining armor. It’s a horseman - one of the four of the apocalypse, from The Book of Revelations . There are four. A conqueror mounted on a white horse, given a weapon and a crown as he rides out to conquer those unworthy. The horseman of war riding a red horse, given the ability to take peace and make men slay one another. The third riding a black horse, given the power to make those in poverty crumble. Or death, the last and most cutthroat rider aboard a pale horse. Given the most power. For he is the only one with the power to kill, to take, to destroy.”
We sit in silence, not quite understanding this biblical phenomenon Stella is describing.
“Alright that’s some twisted shit, Stella.” Jade speaks first, breaking us all out of the trance the story caused.
“I’m sorry, shit. It’s just some parents tell their children stories about the bogeyman to keep them from misbehaving. But not ours. Our twisted parents told us this story. About the Four Horsemen and the apocalypse, that was brought about by man himself.”
“Okay, not the way we would have wanted to start the first day of school, but good to know this school is on some next level bible shit,” Ruby says, walking toward the door.
“Okay, about that, we should go before we arrive later than we already are. The guys must be waiting outside.” I grab my new book bag from the desk beside my bed and throw it over my shoulders.
The school provided us with everything we’ll need, our textbooks of course will be in our new MacBooks and iPads. Apparently, there is no need for old school notebooks or paper anymore. Everything at Servite is electronic, technology, our new best friend. Makes it easier, I guess. No need to carry books.
As we walk into the living room and head to the front door, Stella stops us by the small counter in the kitchen.
“We won’t be able to make it to the dining hall for breakfast, so I got us all some granola and protein smoothies. I keep the fridge and pantry stocked just in case. I try to only go to the dining hall for lunch and usually bring my dinner to the room or order out. There are also some vendors on campus and a couple smoothie and juice bars along with four coffee shops. They’re all found in the courtyard where the dining hall is. We’ll pass by it on our way to the assembly.” Stella hands us each a granola and smoothie cup.
“Wow,” I say, processing all she’s just told us. Everything she’s describing sounds more like a college campus than a high school.
“I usually only go into town on the weekends or to visit my aunt and uncle, but I don’t have a car at the moment.”
“Well, we don’t have any money, so I guess it’s the dining hall for us,” I answer as I reach for the door handle.
“Oh, which reminds me.” She pulls out three envelopes and a box from the shelf near the door. She hands us each an envelope and gives me the package.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“The envelopes contain your academy library and debit cards. The school is providing you guys with some spending money for necessities. It’s all part of the program that brought you here. As for the package, it arrived this morning or last night. It was outside when I woke up this morning.”
I tear open the box and pull out three new iPhones.
“What are these for?” I ask, holding up the phones.
“They must also be from the Headmaster. The students of Servite are some of the richest kids in the world. I’m sure they just want you guys to have the same opportunities. And cell phones are essential.”
“Well, don’t mind if I do.” Ruby snatches a phone from my hand and I hand one to Jade, shoving the third one into my bag.
Once we step out of the Dahlia House, we find Drake, Kai, and Jax waiting, all three of them looking way too good in their respective uniforms, which of course are not up to the dress code. Drake’s tattoos are peeking out over the unbuttoned collar of his shirt and he’s kept his lip and eyebrow piercings in place.
“Fuck, this is like a wet dream come to life. Four schoolgirls walking toward us in those sexy ass skirts and knee-high socks. Fuck me,” Jax says, causing us all except Ruby to scowl .
Ruby struts over to her man and gives him a little twirl before his arms wrap around her and he pulls her in for a sloppy kiss.
I walk over to Drake and adjust the tie that’s also loose tied around his neck. “Hey there, Dragon,” I murmur, leaning up to kiss his cheek. Seeing him dressed like this, I can’t help it. He looks damn good it should be fucking illegal. Drake licks his lips in response, his green eyes darkening as they trail over me.
“Well shit, when did this happen?” Jax asks in surprise, looking over to Drake and me while he scratches his head in disbelief.
“Bitch, it’s been happening. Guess my sis is now ready to show the rest of the world,” Jade says with a smirk.
“Looks like after last night, we need to show everyone here we are a united front and can’t be pushed around the way they intend to do. They’ve got their kings, well I've got mine,” I say, pulling Drake in closer and giving him a small peck on the lips. I hear him groan as he tries to deepen the kiss but I push away laughing.
“Don’t gotta try to convince me, princess,” he says, putting his arm around my shoulder as we head out toward the auditorium.
The auditorium is about a ten-minute walk across campus and we barely make it in time. When we finally arrive, we head inside and find some empty seats near the middle of the room.
The room is vast with stadium style seating, a large stage at the front, and a podium set up with seats on one side and a large projector screen on the other. Sort of reminds me of what a college commencement ceremony would look like. At the top of the stage is a large banner that says, Welcome Stallions, Class of 2020 .
Stella clarifies the Stallions are the academy’s mascot, which makes sense with the whole “horsemen” bullshit.
As we take out seats, I can’t help but look around searching for the Horsemen, but they are nowhere to be found. Their queens , however, are seated in the front row looking every bit the rich mean girls they are. I recognize Headmistress LeBlanc as she walks up to the podium with a group of whom I assume are teachers as they take their seats on the stage. She taps the microphone causing it to screech, and the room grows quiet.
“Welcome, students, to Servite Academy’s 100 th Annual Welcome Day Assembly.” Cheers erupt as she takes a brief pause. “As you all know, I am Headmistress LeBlanc, and I am honored to be greeting you today. This morning is incredibly special to all of us here at Servite Academy as this next year marks the 100 th anniversary of our school inauguration. This morning we will have a special speaker, as well as an important announcement. As you all know after the assembly you are to report to your homeroom class. Today’s schedule will run slightly differently as you will attend all your classes but for a shortened amount of time. Just enough time to get familiar with your schedule.”
Jade elbows me as she rolls her eyes and points a finger gun at her head before “pulling the trigger”. We all laugh but are quickly quieted by a group of students sitting behind us.
“Starting tomorrow,” Headmistress Leblanc continues. “We will resume our normal hours with your first class beginning at 8:05 a.m. and school ending at 3:15 p.m. May I remind you that for the first two weeks of school, you are prohibited from leaving campus. After the second week you may leave campus only on weekends or with special permission. I will now give the...”
She’s suddenly interrupted when a large sound echoes through the auditorium walls. All eyes turn to the back of the room where the Four Horsemen walk in, entering as if they aren't already late. The four of them, impeccably dressed in the Servite uniform, neatly tucked and tailored to perfection, walk directly to the front of the room and make their way to the four empty chairs on the left side of the stage. The room grows eerily silent as Headmistress LeBlanc makes no acknowledgement of their interruption but carries on with her speech.
“As I was saying, I will now give the mic over to Headmaster Servite.”
The crowd applauds as Headmaster Warren Servite appears and walks over to the podium beside her. He turns and glares toward his son and the other Horsemen, but Ace’s glare meets him right back. As Headmaster Servite speaks, I notice someone I hadn’t seen hiding in the far-right corner. Agent Wesley Servite stands at the end of the stage, dressed in an all-black suit, his eyes scanning the room until they connect with mine, a spine-chilling grin instantly appearing on his face.
“Thank you, Headmistress, for the warm welcome. Students, welcome. As Headmistress LeBlanc mentioned, this year is an incredibly special year as we are nearing our 100 th Anniversary. Ninety-nine years ago, my great-grandfather Walton, founded Servite Academy as a place for the most notable and influential individuals to send their children to receive the best education and opportunity. Here at Servite, we’ve prided ourselves in providing the world with successful scientists, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and businessmen alike among other professions. The alumni that have graduated from Servite Academy have continued on to attend the most elite universities in the world, including the country’s top three Ivy League Universities: Holland, Pembrooke, and Westminster.”
This time it’s me who wishes this sermon would end and we can all get to class. But as I turn to whisper something to Jade, I still feel Agent Servite’s glare stuck on me.
Headmaster Servite continues. “I’m honored that this year we can extend this wonderful opportunity to those who may not have received it anywhere else. This year as a celebration of our century long success, we have implemented a new philanthropic program where six teenage students from our neighboring town of Pleasant Hills, chosen to receive full-paid scholarships to attend Servite Academy.”
All eyes in the room immediately turn to the six of us. How quickly the news spread of who we are, a charity case. My gaze has been locked the entire time on Agent Servite, who now approaches the podium standing behind his brother .
“I would like to give the mic over now to my brother and our head of security and defense here at Servite Academy, Agent Wesley Servite.”
“Thank you, Headmaster,” Agent Servite says, his eyes still locked in with mine. A devious grin spreads across his lips as Jade elbows me once again. Breaking my stare, I turn to her and see she’s looking at me with the same frightened eyes she did that first day we met Agent Servite, when he came looking for our parents. I quickly turn my attention back to the stage as he speaks.
“As Headmaster Servite mentioned, this new program we have implemented allows six less fortunate students the opportunity to attend the number one academy on the West Coast for their senior year of high school. An opportunity, if it weren’t for us, they would never have had.”
I scoff at his remark. This fucker’s making it seem he’s done us a favor by dragging us here.
Suddenly, I feel a heaviness around me like someone’s watching me. Looking toward the side of the stage, I find Ace’s glare is directly on me before he flicks his gaze back and forth between his uncle and me. I guess I’m not the only one who’s noticed Agents Servite’s speech is meant for me.
“Please help me in giving a warm Servite welcome to our newest students.” No . Fucking asshole . “Malachi Saint, Jaxon Wylde, Damon and Ruby Drake, Jade Wolfe, and Scarlett Steele.” Again, all eyes are on us, but nobody makes a sound. All you can hear is Agent Servite’s loud staccato claps. “Guys, please come join me on the stage,” he adds, but not one of us moves.
Suddenly, Alek and Beckett appear on either side of our row, arms crossed, glares planted on their faces as they watch us. I hadn’t even seen them leave the center stage. Alek clears his throat causing Drake, Kai, and Jax to stand, their natural predator instincts telling them these guys won’t back down without a fight. Jade and Ruby stand as well, but Jade turns to me with a look asking if we even have a choice in the matter .
Nodding in agreement, I slowly stand to follow as Alek and Beck escort us to the center stage. Silence continues until we are at the front center of the stage beside Agent Servite. He walks over to me, reaching his hand out for me to take, that same wicked gleam in his eye as he awaits my move. My brows crease together as I glare at him but reluctantly take it knowing I don’t have any other choice but to act complacent.
Not like I’d want anyone to see my reluctance to be near him and start asking questions. At the contact of our hands a sudden clapping sound starts. We all turn to find Ace standing, his eyes darkened and staring directly at my hand in his uncle’s. Looking up at me, rage clear in his eyes as he claps louder until the entire auditorium follows his lead, all standing and clapping vigorously.
All around us, students and teachers alike clap and cheer as Agent Servite leads me over to the podium beside him. I quickly pull my hand back from his grasp just as Headmaster Servite walks up and joins his brother. Ace also steps forward and moves to stand beside his father. The three Servite men, three generations of monsters standing there like they’re fucking gods and everyone should bow down to them.
I guess the fact is these people do exactly that.
“On behalf of the Servite family and academy we’d like to welcome you to our school. We’re honored to have you here and are excited to see what this program will bring,” Headmaster Servite says arrogantly.
“Boys and girls, that concludes our assembly. Please exit the auditorium and find your way to your homeroom class,” Headmistress LeBlanc says, dismissing us.
But before I can walk off the stage, Agent Servite grabs hold of my arm pulling me back toward him.
“Not so fast, Miss Steele. I will escort you to your first class,” he says, causing me to stiffen in his hold.
“Like hell you will,” Drake growls, stepping up and pulling my arm out of Servite’s grip. At Drake’s brash movement Ace stands guard of his uncle.
“Back off, Dragon Boy,” Ace says as he steps in front of Agent Servite, but Drake doesn’t even flinch. That’s my Dragon, my fierce protector, and a bit of a control freak.
“Back down, nephew, he’s harmless,” Agent Servite mocks with a sly grin as he looks between Drake and me, clearly amused.
It’s my turn to speak for myself. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I say, turning away and walking off the stage pulling Drake by the hand behind me. I hear a growl, but not sure exactly which Servite man it came out of, as I’m too afraid to turn around. The rest of the group follows behind us and we meet up with Stella outside the auditorium.
“What the fuck is that guy’s problem?” Kai asks me as we approach Stella.
“Yeah, Scar, he’s been on your dick ever since they showed up at the foster home.” Jade turns to me questioningly. She knows that Agent Servite was the one who showed up all those years ago, but I never told her about his threats or the crude comments he made to me about my mom.
“Looks like he’s got a hard-on for our dear Scarlett. I’d say that’s some sick shit, but fuck have you seen him?” Ruby says, biting her lip.
“I don’t want to get into it right now. We need to get to class.” I pull out my class schedule which says that I have English Literature as my homeroom class. “Westerly Hall, Lecture Room 2A. Can you point which way, Stella?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I’ll walk you,” Ace says as he comes up behind me, of course with the Horsemen in tow.
“Back the fuck off, Servite,” Drake spits out at him, quickly stepping in front of me, guarding me from Ace.
“Look, Dragon Boy, I’m getting sick and tired of you getting in my face. ”
Ugh, these boys are gonna be the death of me with their need to be in control, and stupid show of male alpha-ness. I have to admit in any other circumstance I’d swoon at the sight of the two of them coming face to face for me, but fuck, Drake doesn’t deserve to be caught up in some shit because of his need to protect me.
“If anyone’s walking her to class it’s me,” Jade says, stepping up to me and hooking her arm in mine.
Though now it’s Bass who steps forward to meet Jade. “Back down, Little Wolf,” Bass snarls at her.
That’s the second time he’s stepped in when she has, calling her ‘Little Wolf.’ I look over at him and catch a glimpse of desire in his eyes as he gazes at her. Jade takes an almost unnoticeable step back, looking slightly intimidated. Again, something she never does.
“But your class is across campus,” Stella whispers, causing us all to turn to her. “I have copies of all your schedules,” she clarifies when she sees the confused looks on everyone’s faces. “It was to help you guys find your way on your first day. Kai and Ruby, you guys are on the north side of campus in Cahill Hall. Jaxon and Drake, you guys are on the south side in Percy Hall. Jade, you are with me on the east side in Whitmore Hall, and Scarlett is on the west side in Westerly Hall.”
“With me,” Ace adds matter-of-factly.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll walk Scar to her class and then head to mine.” I turn to Drake, placing my hand on his shoulder. From the corner of my eye, I can see Ace step closer at my touch so I purposefully use my other hand to turn Drake’s face away from Ace and direct it to me.
Ace grunts, barely noticeable, but I hear it and something in me unsettles at his obvious discomfort.
“I can’t make you be late on your first day. It’ll be fine. Ace will just kindly show me where the building is. Then I’ll be on my way, alone,” I say, glaring toward Ace who smirks smugly thinking he’s won .
Drake doesn’t look pleased but honestly, he has no right to be pissed. Ace and I are bound to run into each other, especially since he’s made it clear he’s watching my every move.
“You keep your dirty hooves off her, Horseman,” he says, turning his attention toward Ace. “Looks like the Servite men are handsy. Be sure to relay the message to your uncle.”
Ace frowns, his brows scrunching inwardly and his icy blue eyes darkening. I swear I can almost hear him freaky growling behind me.
Drake leans over and kisses me greedily before stepping back. The kiss is nothing more than his way of showing Ace I’m his. Strange thing is, I’m not sure I belong to him either.
“See you later, babe,” he says, turning and walking off with Jaxon.
Kai and Ruby take off to the north, while Stella and Jade look to me once more before turning and walking toward the east side of campus.
“Wait up, cuz. I’ll be walking you and the Little Wolf,” Sebastian calls out, following closely after them. Alek and Beck take off as well leaving me alone with Ace for the first time. I look up and find him smirking down at me like he’s won some stupid contest to show whose dick was bigger, so I turn and walk toward Westerly Hall by myself. He can go celebrate his win with some other girl who gives a damn.
“Thought you said I could walk you,” he calls out, catching up to me.
“I said I’d let you show me the way. But that isn’t necessary anymore,” I reply, not bothering to look back at him. Servite Academy’s campus is massive, and the buildings divide the campus into four sections. The North, East, South, and West. By process of elimination, I now know which direction to take toward Westerly Hall.