The Devil's Hunt (The Brotherhood #1)

1. One

1

ONE

MILA

“ C ome on, Mila, you have to go out tonight. This is one of St. Mary’s biggest parties of the year.” Lacey, my overzealous and beautiful blonde roommate’s voice rang through my ears like a siren as she tried to coerce me into attending the social event of the year at St. Mary's University—a private college full of prestige, and a place where the rich and powerful sent their children, competing in an unspoken battle for power. It was a Catholic college everyone dreamed of going to. We were the ones that everyone wanted to be, the ones that the outside world couldn’t touch. There was so much money wrapped up in this school, it was like Hogwarts. You had to get a special letter of admittance to attend, which only meant that Daddy had to fork out a pretty penny to get you on the waitlist, and then even more money to pass the final approval process.

My father had spent most of his life working hard so he could one day splash his money around at parties and have something to brag about to his wealthy buddies. That he had a child attending one of the most exclusive universities in existence just gave him more fuel for the fire. He dreamt of having a son who would follow him into the world of stocks and bonds, but instead, he got a daughter who refused to break rules and was a pink-wearing, animal-loving book nerd who had no interest in joining the corporate world of assholes and pricks. When he realized his dreams of passing on his trading business were doomed, he found St. Mary’s—a place where his cash could buy anything…including my freedom. He paid exorbitant amounts of money just to put me on the waitlist—enough money to wash his hands clean of me, but also boast about the esteemed school his only child was attending.

He was running for governor of New York, so as of late, he liked for me to attempt to try and win over the rich and famous old guys or their sons in order to gain their favor. I hated every second of it. But I knew that he could ruin my life with a snap of his fingers. Send me away to a place far worse than St. Mary’s without even batting an eye. The walls of privilege around me were impenetrable, imprisoning my freedom and crushing my dreams of living the life I wanted—the life I would choose.

As Lacey whined in my ear about how I had to attend, that in my two years of attending St. Mary’s, I had gone out only once, and that disastrous night ended with me retching endlessly until my stomach felt as though it had been wrung inside-out and cast aside. Even the memory of that night made my stomach churn and bile rise in my throat.

“You can’t stay cooped up, hovering over your books for four years. You are literally my only friend who is a virgin, and you’re about to be twenty-one on Halloween. Which just so happens to be the best time to dress up like a slut, fuck somebody random, and do the walk of shame back to your dorm room, like every other girl here,” she argued.

“Hey, leave my virginity out of it. And for the record, I like my books, and I like doing my homework.”

“Ok, virginity aside,” she huffed and sat next to me, cradling my hands in hers and pouting her lips, determined to change my mind. “Will you please go to the bonfire with me tonight? At the very least, you can babysit me and make sure I don’t end up in Chad’s bed again.” She grimaced and exaggerated a shiver like she was disgusted at the thought.

We both knew she wasn’t.

Chad was her vice and usually who she went home with when she couldn’t find anyone else. With her peppy personality and his lack of brains, they oddly fit really well together.

“Also, you know that the next couple of weeks is where they scope out prospects for their Halloween Hunt. If you don’t go, you won’t even be considered.”

They were the elite of the elite at St. Mary’s, protected by more money and status than a celebrity. The Halloween Hunt, better known as The Devil’s Hunt, was an event that was talked about every year. This was a cult-like, fucked-up Halloween event that included a masked hunt where, when you were caught, you were either Chosen or sent home. There were rumors that those who were Chosen became sex slaves for several of the elite, and that there was some sort of perk to being their slave. You got to be part of the best parties, the status, the money, and the mind-blowing sex— or so I heard. To me, it just seemed like a way for powerful men to fuck around and have someone at their beck and call, objectifying the female gender just like old times.

What could possibly be the perk of being used as a sex slave?

Along with the rumors of this brotherhood cult engaging in orgies, the rumors of murder and sacrifice to appease whatever dark deity they worshiped spread rapidly, and when people went missing in town or girls disappeared, everyone on campus assumed it was because of this mysterious society that went by many names. The one that seemed to stick, however, was The Brotherhood of Darkness—the masters of fear and enslavers of souls.

I didn’t want to be considered as a prospect, but at the same time, I was curious about what happened to the Chosen. If that meant I sat through one of the bonfires to not only make sure Lacey didn’t get murdered in the cornfield, but also see if she was chosen to attend The Devil’s Hunt, then I would. If only to know if the rumors were true or if it was all just urban legend, because I loved that girl, but one thing she couldn’t do is keep a secret. And this super-secret brotherhood cult bullshit, I was sure, would have stories her big mouth wouldn’t be able to keep to herself—especially when it came to her best friend.

“What do you say, Mila? Will you be my date to the bonfire?” she begged insistently, her perfect face contorted into a pout.

She was committed, I’d give her that.

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach, but I bit back my apprehension and nodded.

“Fine. I’ll go,” I sighed and slumped down into my chair.

Her eyes widened in delight, and she jumped up, letting out a squeal that made my ears ring. “Yay! You’re the best friend ever!”

“But only to make sure you don’t get killed by an ax murderer,” I protested half-heartedly.

“Yes! Now, let’s get you dressed in something more modern ,” she said, sweeping her gaze disapprovingly over my plain black sweater, dark jeans, and toes tucked into black cat-printed slippers.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I asked defensively, crossing my arms over my chest and tucking my feet farther beneath myself.

“Nothing if you are going for the frumpy cat-lady thing. This doesn’t scream ‘sexy, young, studious babe ready to have a good time and maybe make out with a hot college boy at one of the hottest parties of the century.’”

“But I am not trying to make out with a hot college boy,” I insisted weakly.

“The night is still young!” she declared with a mischievous glint in her eye. “To my closet, young Padawan. Let me transform you.”

She yanked me up and dragged me to the vanity of her boudoir, where she lathered my face with more makeup than I had ever worn before. Bottle after bottle and tube after tube was caked onto my skin, but she refused to let me look in a mirror until she was finished. I expected to look like a circus clown by the time she finally stepped away. She curled my hair and then started pulling dresses over my head. I objected to every single one, but there was no use arguing with her; besides, I didn't have the heart to crush her spirit, and my protests fell on deaf ears, anyway. I think she had me try on over twenty dresses before she clasped her hands on her mouth and was speechless for the first time in her life.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“Mila, girl, you look hot as fuck.” She grasped my shoulders and gently spun me around to face the full-length mirror.

I didn’t recognize the girl looking back at me. My waist-length black hair cascaded in thick curls down to my mid-back, while my amber eyes were lined with heavy black eyeliner that truly made them glow under the light. My already long lashes were thickly coated with mascara and a smoky eyeshadow that made them appear feline-like. The finishing touch was nothing less than scandalous: deep red lipstick across my full lips and a skin-tight, long-sleeved, little black dress revealing every curve of my body before flowing loosely down to mid-thigh. I wasn’t sure I had ever shown this much leg before in my life, but I’d never felt so beautiful.

“Wow,” I whispered and ran my hands down my body, marveling at the curves I didn’t realize I had.

“Now, to finish off this ensemble. Put these boots on.” She handed me black, knee-high boots with a flat sole. “Sexy, but practical. You don’t want to get a heel stuck in the mud out there. Trust me, it’s a lady boner killer.”

Adrenaline surged through my veins as I zipped up the boots and watched her finish getting ready, snapping what felt like a hundred pictures of the both of us and posting on her Instagram with captions like, “ Cinderella is ready for the ball, ” and “ Look who I convinced to come out. She’s hot, right?”

She drove out into the countryside, in the middle of nowhere, to a place that I don’t think you could even find on GPS. It was pitch-black—until it wasn’t. The bright orange glow of a massive bonfire drew us in like moths to a flame, its blaze licking the sky with orange embers that flew high above us. Cars lined up like fenceposts, creating an eerie perimeter, and rock music blared through the darkness. The steely night air sent shivers over my bare skin, and I felt a sense of excitement and dread as I followed Lacey to the center of the crowd.

Everywhere I looked, people were dancing—drunkenly swaying and spinning around me in wild abandon. I suddenly felt self-conscious about my outfit and wished I’d brought a jacket to cover up. It wasn’t that I was dressed any skankier than the other girls there, but I was way out of my comfort zone.

“Dance with me," she screamed, but all I could do was stand there motionless, feeling completely out of place in this drunken social setting.

“I’ll pass.” I pulled my arm back and went to sit on a hay bale to start people-watching. Everywhere around me were people drinking, laughing, and flirting. Lacey was the center of attention, spinning between groups like a pretty butterfly, and I envied her confidence. She’d begun to chug beer from the keg when Chad materialized next to her, and then, within seconds, they were all over each other on the hay bale next to me.

It was a carnival of lust and breathy energy, and my heart clenched in jealousy. I felt out of place, so I walked across the field to grab a cup of something that looked like it contained mostly vodka and sipped it while observing the flaming bonfire in front of me. The comforting warmth of alcohol started to spread through me as I sunk into a hay bale, looking out over the fire that illuminated the faces of the people around me. Trying to let go of my inhibitions, or at least pretend that I belonged there, I glanced around and surveyed the scene—a cornfield maze to my left and a game of strip poker to my right, while couples occupied couches nearby. My gaze swept past all of them until it rested on a dark-haired man whose intense stare was locked on something in my direction. However, it wasn't the pretty redhead in his lap wearing a skirt so short I was pretty sure I could see her cervix that caught my eye and rendered me frozen like a deer in headlights. It was the intensity of his gaze and the realization that he was looking at me .

Not someone else.

His eyes were dark, mesmerizing, and overpowering. Sucking the air from my lungs and wrapping around my entire body until every nerve ending hummed with electricity. It was like I was being held captive by invisible chains.

My skin heated up with an unfamiliar sensation, a strange mix of excitement and fear coursing through my veins.

The girl on his lap was devouring his neck, and her perfectly manicured hands were sliding up and down his chest while she gyrated against his cock.

But it was like she wasn’t there.

Not while his eyes bore into mine.

They never wavered; the smirk on his face held me captive in a trance-like state. It felt like time had stopped; there were only us two. No one else existed in that moment.

I felt my skin being ripped apart from his stare, as if he had peeled back all of my inhibitions and exposed the darkest parts of my soul.

Suddenly, I felt a hot breath whisper into my ear, “Looks like you could use a drink.” An overwhelming cloud of cigarettes and alcohol engulfed me as I jolted to look at the source of the voice. The drunken brute stood inches from me with icy blue eyes, golden hair, and an aversion to personal space.

“I’ve got one, thanks,” I muttered before turning back to look at Mister Tall—I think— Dark, and Handsome, who had piqued my curiosity. But all I saw was his back as he walked hand in hand with the redhead to the cornfield, leaving me behind and alone with the blonde hulk next to me.

I clicked my tongue in disappointment and looked back at the blonde. “You know what? I’ll take you up on that drink, actually.”

I mean, why not? Lacey was playing tonsil hockey with Chad, half the crowd was engaged in an orgy, and the other half was either passed out drunk or giggling and running through the corn maze. And here I was, sober, a party-pooper, the pariah of this shindig—invisible Mila, standing by the bonfire like a fucking loser, ignoring attention all because a dark-haired snack of a man had a staring contest with me for half a second .

An intense staring contest, but nothing to read into.

“That a girl!” Blondie handed me a red Solo cup of some brownish alcohol and toasted me. “I’m Zach, by the way.”

His pearly white teeth glinted in the orange glow of the fire, making me feel a strange chill creep up my spine. He reached out for a handshake, and I reluctantly slid my hand into his.

“Mila.”

“I’ve never seen you at one of these parties before, and I would remember a pretty face like yours," he continued, devouring me with his eyes as if I were prey in a jungle.

“That’s because I don’t normally go out,” I retorted coolly, trying not to show my lack of confidence or the uncomfortable feeling of fear that was building inside me.

“And what changed your mind?” he asked, now inching closer to me. The smell of alcohol on his breath made me cringe as he lingered just inches from my face.

“See that long-legged blonde currently swallowing that guy’s face?” I pointed toward Lacey, who had her arms around Chad's neck and was kissing him passionately— no , more like licking his face.

He nodded slowly, almost imperceptibly, never taking his eyes off of me.

“She convinced me to come out.” My voice cracked when I said the last part, a dead giveaway of how uncomfortable he made me feel.

“I see. Well, I think I should thank your friend then.” His lips broke into an unsettling smile.

“Yeah, I guess if you can pry their mouths apart, you probably could.” My voice shook as I made a weak attempt at a joke, a normal occurrence when I was nervous, while I took a sip of the drink he gave me. It tasted like honey and fire combined, but there was a faint taste of something else I couldn’t quite put a finger on. It tasted delicious, and I found myself halfway through the cup before I realized it.

“You look really pretty tonight,” he told me, running his fingers up and down my arm.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and instinctively, I wanted to run away. But instead, all I could do was take another sip of my drink and say, “Thank you."

The way he was looking at me made me wildly uncomfortable. He licked his lips hungrily and stared at me like I was an animal in a trap, and he was about to rip me to shreds.

Something felt wrong.

“I need to make sure that my roommate is okay,” I murmured, practically jumping off the hay bale and looking toward the direction that Lacey and Chad had been.

Neither one was where I last saw them.

She left me.

She never left me.

“She went into the corn maze with that guy,” Zach said behind me, pointing to the entrance of the tall stalks of corn and taking a sip of his beer.

Without another word, I pushed my way through the crowd, not caring who I brushed against or stepped on, until I made it to the maze entrance. There was screaming and laughter from inside, and groups of people pushing past me and disappearing inside. I looked around one more time for Lacey before I entered the maze. The tall stalks of corn were like looming giants, enclosing me in a soundproof prison of dark green foliage. The stalks blocked out all light from the bonfire except for a slight glow emanating above. The loud rock music that had been blaring vanished to a dull, manageable hum, and tension filled my entire being as I saw couple after couple disappear inside, looking for a secluded spot.

“Lacey?” I called. “Are you in here?” I looked for her blonde hair, but none of the couples were her or Chad. I moved farther into the maze, taking a right, then a left, doing my best to remember which way I came. But I hit dead end after dead end, and before I knew it, I was turned around. I could feel my heart racing faster as panic started to set in. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and a strange feeling of dizziness overtook me. I felt like I was drunk, but I only had two drinks. I quickened my pace, my desperation rising with each misstep .

This intoxication was unlike any I had experienced before, like a fire raging in my body. My vision began to blur, and my steps were heavy as lead, but I kept trudging forward, blindly bolting around corners, desperate for an escape out of this damn maze. I hit another dead end and stopped short when I saw red hair attached to the girl from the couch and the handsome stranger with his hands gripping the back of her head as she sucked his dick. Her head bobbed back and forth, and his eyes were closed as he moaned.

I felt like I had intruded on something intimate and private, but I couldn’t look away. His jaw clenched tightly, and he moaned with pleasure. The corn stalk I was leaning against gave way and sent me tumbling into their secret space, ripping away what remaining composure I had left.

Flustered and embarrassed, I tried to excuse myself. “Oh God, I’m sorry—I just…” I apologized, picking myself back up and pulling my dress back down.

His dark eyes met mine, and instead of anger, he gave me a mischievous look, like he wanted me to see what he was doing.

Like he wanted me to stay.

“I’m really sorry,” I managed to mutter, and my cheeks flushed hot with shame. My heart pounded against my sternum as I abruptly turned, fumbling through the maze, into the darkness, and hopefully toward freedom. I was lightheaded and didn’t know if I wanted to throw up or pass out. Either way, something was wrong with me, and I needed to get out of the maze fast, so I kept walking, hoping eventually I would find Lacey or the exit. I just wanted to get home, crawl into my bed, and stop the spinning.

I took another right, and then a left—maybe it was left…I don’t really know, I just kept forcing my legs to move because at that point, they felt like they were stuck in quicksand, struggling to push through the never-ending sandy nightmare. I stumbled again and slammed into the ground. Every breath felt like a chore, as if gravity was pulling me deeper and deeper into the ground.

I was so tired and just wanted to go to sleep .

Under the eerie yellow glow of the full moon, I lay there wide-eyed and helpless, hidden in the tall stalks.

Heavy footsteps broke into my haze, drawing nearer and nearer to my paralyzed form, the cut stalks crunching underneath their feet. I turned my head toward the sound and saw brown boots making their way toward me. My vision faded in and out, and a figure emerged from the shadows—Zach, a sick grin twisted on his face as he got closer until he was on top of me, his harsh lips bruising my neck as he squeezed my breasts so hard it brought tears to my eyes.

“No…stop…” I whimpered weakly, my voice no more than a whisper, knowing no one would hear me in this sea of corn.

He brushed aside my feeble protests with a chuckle, his hands pushing and pulling me in all the wrong places.

“Shh, it’s okay. I’m going to take care of you,” he murmured against my skin before pushing my dress up and ripping away my underwear. Cold terror washed over me when I felt his fingers inside me, invading me without mercy.

“No…I don’t want this…please don’t do this…” I swatted at him, but my hands fell limp to my sides.

“I am going to make you feel so good…” he moaned.

I screamed for help, tears streaming down my face, but nobody heard me.

There was no one to save me.

By all appearances, we were just another horny couple getting it on in the cornfield.

I knew what was about to happen, and I was powerless to stop it.

I tried to move my hips, writhing beneath him as I fought to scoot away from him, but I couldn't break free from his ironclad grip. My fingertips scraped against the rough ground, searching for anything I could use as a weapon. Feeling around, they closed around a rock, cool and hard in my palm. I gritted my teeth and gathered every ounce of strength within me before bringing it down against his head with all my might.

He toppled over momentarily, giving me enough time to scramble away, but by the time I rolled over, he had already regained his composure. He caught hold of my ankles, dragging me back toward him, and leering at me with pure evil in his eyes.

“Nice try, you bitch,” he snarled, blood dripping from a fresh gash on his forehead. He raised his hand to deliver a punishing blow across my face. Pain exploded through me, my bottom lip split open, and warm blood filled my mouth.

I had nothing more to give and no strength left to fight him. He knew he had won.

“I’ll give you one thing, you’re definitely stronger than the other girls. I should have double-dosed you. But don’t worry, you’ll be begging me to fill this tight pussy of yours in a minute, you little slut.” His voice was low and menacing as he forced his pants down and pulled out his cock before pressing it against me. Everything inside of me constricted in pure terror as I waited for the inevitable violation that was sure to follow.

But it never arrived.

Instead, as my vision grew dim, a shadow descended behind him, and a sharp glint of silver moved across his throat so quickly that it was almost invisible. Blood spurted from the gaping wound in his throat, bathing me in a river of hot crimson blood as his body dropped lifelessly beside me.

A silent scream ripped through my body as I lay helpless on the cold ground. Surrounded by a flurry of dark figures, a deep voice rumbled out orders that I was too terrified to understand. Strong arms scooped me up, pressing me close to the figure’s chest. The scent of sandalwood and tobacco infiltrated every pore in my body as I was carried away. My head fell to their chest, and my eyes closed tightly as I drowned in an ocean of darkness.