Chapter 9
Parker
The only good thing about October is the Fright Night parties.
Asher and I go to them every year together, and even though Mia is off-limits to me right now, I still need to get out and live a little.
Sitting around and being depressed isn’t going to help anyone.
I’m not shocked that Mia broke things off completely with me, but it does hurt. I just need to hang on to hope.
My excitement over the party at Grimsley Hall is quickly squandered when I get to my bedroom and find a crimson envelope waiting for me in the center of my desk. “Fuck, man, really? That soon?” I say under my breath.
I rip open the envelope, pulling out the card.
Sub rosa
Your first trial has called you. It’s time to confess.
Under the rose? “Well, looks like I’m doing this trial without Leo’s help ahead of time.
” I quickly get dressed, pulling on a pair of dark denim jeans and a hoodie, and head to the living room to wait for Asher.
He always takes forever, so I pull out my phone, bringing up some old photos of Mia and me.
I scroll through them, my heart in my throat, wishing like hell I could find a way to fix all of this.
“You ready?” Asher asks like he’s the one who’s been waiting for me. I release a pent-up breath, rolling my eyes at him.
“Took you long enough, I’ve been out here waiting.”
“Chill, Dad, I’m right on time. It’s not like we have to drive to get there. It’s around the corner,” he says as if it’s not a big deal that we get there late. But then again, why would he be in a rush? I want to know what the hell I’m walking into tonight.
“I’m ready to find out what all the fuss is about. People have been guessing the theme for weeks, especially because we had to RSVP. Who does that?” Corvus, I say in my head, answering my own question.
“Yeah, whatever it is, it should be a good time. Week one was intense.”
It absolutely was for me, watching my woman be ruthlessly fucked in the dirt like the primal goddess she is. Little rebel, being so dangerous, playing in public.
“They usually are, brother.”
“You lookin’ for a hookup tonight?” he asks me as we fall into step with each other.
“Of course I’m looking,” I lie. Well, I guess it’s not a complete lie.
I’m always looking to hook up with Mia. And if she hadn’t asked for space, I’d be half tempted to sneak into her room tonight to watch her sleep, maybe fuck her while she’s sleeping.
My lips curl up at the side. She loves waking up in the middle of the night to her pussy being eaten. Such a greedy girl.
“Wasn’t sure if you were done crawling back to Mia every time you get an itch.”
I drop my head back and groan at the thought of her taste on my tongue.
“She’s gonna be the death of me. She’s seeing Leo, and he doesn’t seem down for sharing.” In fact, he said it in no uncertain way, he is definitely not down for sharing. Pretty sure she’s breaking it off with him, too, though.
“You are?”
Is he serious right now? “Dude, it’s Mia. Yeah, if she wanted it, I would share. Plus, Leo is hot as hell, which is the problem.”
“He’s worried you’ll be into him and not just her.”
“Bingo. Which, I can’t argue against, ’cause I’d totally fuck him if he was into it.
” It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud, but it’s the truth.
Leo is hot, especially when he’s pissed off.
I’d love to get him on his back and fuck him into submission.
I bet then he’d have no problem sharing Mia with me.
Two Ravens croak from above us as we exit Crimson Keep, and just like usual, Asher stops and looks up.
They perch precariously on the edge of the arch, peering down at us.
I’ve never understood his connection with the ravens here, but I swear, it’s like they communicate with each other.
Asher’s head cocks to the side as they look at each other before the two birds croak again.
“Not haunted, my ass,” he whispers under his breath.
“You about done talking to your friends?”
“Shut up, Park. Something just feels off lately. You don’t feel it?”
Besides the fact that I was just pulled into a secret society that’s been around for hundreds of years? But I can’t tell Asher that.
“Nah. It’s just the time of year. I swear it’s like the school comes alive the closer we get to Halloween.”
Asher seems to shrug me off, lost in his own head.
We finish our walk to Grimsley Hall, the larger-than-life Gothic building standing tall in front of us.
Tonight’s Fright Night theme is Mad Scientist, which is original considering everyone in this hall is majoring in either sciences, psychology, or sociology. Including Leo.
EDM echoes into the chilly night as we walk up the moss-covered stone steps and push past the faux cobwebs strewn across the entrance.
At the door, a senior named Alfie is checking people in, handing us a black satin blindfold as he checks off our names on a list. We’re the last ones to enter, which annoys the shit out of me.
Not that leaving Crimson Keep fifteen minutes ago would have changed much, but maybe I could have found Leo to get a tip for what to expect.
Inside, the place has been transformed and is creepy as hell.
The lights are off, fog machines in every corner, cauldrons overflowing with steam, bubbling with colorful concoctions.
Apothecary jars, skulls, and bones line counters and windowsills.
Everything glows neon green and purple, reminiscent of Ravensmere’s Lights Out, Frights Out party.
We watch Alfie join another senior standing on a table and shouting at everyone to settle down.
“Alright, alright! Shut your mouths and let’s get this going.
You each RSVP’d for this party and for good reason!
Tonight, we’re going to have a little anonymous, dirty party game! Ever heard of a glory hole?”
What the fuck? Gasps and nervous chuckles echo around us, but blood rushes between my ears, and I sway on my feet.
“Did you know?” Asher whispers.
“Swear I didn’t. But I’m not fucking disappointed.
A glory hole? Who has this kinda opportunity?
I’m not passing it up; I don’t care what happens.
” My stomach rolls with nausea. Can I seriously do this?
I think of Mia, and my heart sinks into a pit of bile.
My eyes scan the room, looking for Leo or Mia, and coming up short.
What the fuck is happening? This can’t seriously be my trial.
Alfie continues to ramble on about receivers and givers, but all I can hear is my pulse rapidly thumping. Under normal circumstances, this would be fun as hell, but can I seriously hook up with someone else? Even if it’s anonymous?
“...team that gets their partner off the quickest wins. We call it a competition, but there are no losers in glory hole roulette!” Alfie laughs deviously like a mad Chester before he continues.
“Now that you know the details, if you no longer wish to stay or participate, just come see Sophie, and she’ll get you crossed off the list.” A handful of people rush forward, and the only thing keeping me rooted to my spot is knowing I was called here for the trial; otherwise, I’d be heading right out that door with the others.
Asher looks at me, silently asking me if I’m staying.
I don’t have much of a choice, buddy. Let’s see what happens.
“In honor of the season, though, we’re giving you some extra help to lube things up.
” Alfie lifts a black sheet and tosses it behind him with a flourish, revealing a large jack-o’-lantern, its face carved into a sadistic smile.
Alfie dips his hand into the center, pulling it back out with a handful of wet, stringy guts.
For fuck’s sake, please tell me they aren’t insinuating .
. . “Givers may use hands and guts, absolutely no mouths or other holes. Now let’s put these pumpkins to good use!
” Jesus Christ, they’re actually serious.
I’m all for food play, but pumpkin guts? What the fuck?
“Holy fuck, is this actually happening?” Asher says next to me, looking at me with shock etched deep into his features.
Alfie starts to usher us through the dark corridors of Grimsley Hall, lit with decorations and fog kissing our ankles.
I look around again, trying to find Leo and coming up short.
I barely register the music or the whispers floating around me as I try to figure out what the fuck is happening right now.
I look at Asher next to me, who looks eager as fuck. Wish I could say the same, buddy.
As we reach the basement of Grimsley Hall, flames flicker wildly in sconces on the walls, and the smell of dirt and decay permeates the air around us. My stomach rolls with another wave of nausea.
We all filter into the large open space, taking in our new surroundings by the light of the dim flames.
Along the entire length of the wall in front of us are what have to be glory hole booths.
Boxed structures with two doors on opposite sides, and no windows, which look similar to a confessional.
I stand next to Asher, wondering if I should just say fuck it and make a break for it.
There’s no goddamn way I can get in one of those booths and fool around with someone who isn’t Mia.
“Parker Kingsford!” My name is called out by a girl on the other side of the room, standing off to the side of the last glory hole booth.
I give her a smile, not wanting to be rude, my eyes looking her over and trying to place her, and then it hits me.
She was one of the people at the initiates’ meeting.
A friendly face. Maybe if I can get in with her, we’d both be in the same boat, and I can explain why I can’t let her touch my dick.
“Fuck, I hope I get paired with her,” I whisper in a little bit of relief. Asher just laughs under his breath, lost in his own world at the moment.
“She looks about ready to climb you like a tree, man. Have fun with that.” Yeah, that won’t be happening.