Chapter Four
LEONA
As soon as Zander went back into the room with the next candidate, one of the other guys in the house — he introduced himself as Shawn — steps up.
“Congratulations,” he says with a crooked smile. “You are now eligible to join Valens. In fact, you’ll be the first woman we have had here in six years.”
“I would have been,” I correct him coolly.
“Actually, I just wanted to take part in the challenge to see if I could maybe test myself a bit and to meet some new people. So, please tell Zander thanks but no thanks for the generous offer. And no hard feelings.” I smile to take the sting out of my words.
Shawn looks as if I’ve hit him over the head. He’s that surprised.
“No thanks?” he echoes.
“That’s right, but as I said, no hard feelings, OK? It was great fun! And maybe I’ll see you all at the party later on,” I call over my shoulder as I walk away.
His mouth is actually hanging open.
***
“So, I just can’t believe you outfoxed that fox, Zander Morell,” Erin says in open admiration. “Absolutely everyone is talking about it!”
“I doubt it’s everyone,” I say, smiling. Then I grin, and add, “I’m pretty sure Zander won’t be telling the story to a group of admirers at the party tonight.”
Erin laughs out loud at that, but Laurel looks serious. “I don’t think he has a sense of humor,” she says darkly, “so if I was you, I would be hoping he has decided to take it in a sporting manner and to play it off as a loss to a better competitor.”
“A competitor, who is going to have to look a million dollars tonight at the party, after her win,” Erin crows.
“Oh, I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” I say with a nervous giggle.
“Sure you are,” Erin says. “That’s what this year is all about. Parties and hookups, looking great, drinking and having fun.”
I really am sure I’m not ready for all of that, but I don’t want to be written off as boring and so I find myself nodding.
“That’s my girl,” Erin says.
“Don’t worry, Leona,” Laurel says with a laugh. “You won’t have to say much. No one will be able to get a word in for Erin.”
Erin curls her nose up at Laurel before picking up a cushion and throwing it at her, but she doesn’t try to deny what Laurel said.
“So, who are these guys, and what’s Valens anyway? Is it a frat or what?” I ask, more to change the subject than out of genuine desire to know more about Valens.
In truth, I can’t say I don’t want to know more about Zander Morrell.
I can’t get the asshole out of my head. Those rippling muscles. That way-too self-satisfied smirk. Fuck him.
Only… I actually want to.
I groan. He has been on my mind since the challenge ended several hours ago.
I saw right from the get-go that he was willing to do anything to get that code out of me, and my being a woman was not an excuse.
I had used that against him in the end. I wasn’t sure whether he had treated me as an equal or someone totally inconsequential, but frankly I wasn’t fussed either way.
I KNEW I sure as hell was his equal and his underestimating me had meant I won.
Still there was something about him. There was a darkness in him that echoed in me, but I suspected his ran much deeper. It should have scared me and set me running as far away as I could get from him. It didn’t. Instead, I felt a magnetic pull towards him. I just wasn’t exactly sure why.
I realize Erin has started answering my question while I was drifting on my reflections…
“Sort of I suppose, but they call it a house not a frat. All our societies are houses, but that’s just semantics, because frats have gotten such bad names over the past few years.” Erin says. “Anyway, there’s a lot more to Valens than just chugging kegs and hooking up.”
“Yeah, you also have to believe your shit don’t stink to be a part of it,” Laurel says, rolling her eyes.
“She’s just pissed off because she failed the initiation,” Erin says and surprisingly Laurel shrugs her agreement.
Laurel adds, “There’s one major difference between Valens and a fraternity — gender is irrelevant.
Valens is run by Zander Morrell, although technically it’s led by him and Shawn, Damien and Lucien.
I suppose, you could call it a sort of pre-business group.
The Valens name is after some Roman emperor who was all courageous and that and who was big in passing on his knowledge, I think.
The elite of the elite get to join, and they support each other.
I guess it’s a bit like the Illuminati or the Masons but without the dorky handshake,” Erin concludes.
“Or the vampire, I hope,” I add.
Erin laughs and nods.
“Yes, or the vampire,” she says. “Like I said, it’s not all parties and studies; it’s also about the futures of the members.
Let’s just say that the people in Valens will do whatever it takes to succeed and, generally speaking, they aren’t bothered who they hurt to get what they want.
I suppose if we had a mafia here, they would be the feeder group, and anyone who is in Valens is proud to scream it from the rooftops. ”
“Wow,” I say. “It’s a lot to take in. I’m glad I turned them down, now. I’m not sure I am up for all that intrigue and ladder climbing.”
Erin makes a face that says It’s crazy, right? and then she glances at her watch.
“We have an hour to get ready before we have to leave. Leona, what are you going to wear?”
I look down at myself and point to my leggings and long red t shirt.
“This?” I say.
It was meant to be a statement, but it comes out as a question.
Erin shakes her head. “Nope,” she says. “It’s the first party of the new semester and trust me, everyone will be dressed up.
Look at Laurel.” She is dressed in a silver lamé mini dress and towering matching heels.
Her hair is teased into an even higher afro than this afternoon, and long silver and glass earrings hang down past her shoulders.
I nod and Erin goes on. “She’s worried she might be underdressed.”
Laurel laughs. “I’m not worried at all,” she says. “Look, if you’re comfortable wearing that, wear it. But Erin’s right — people will be dressed up for tonight’s bash.”
“I’ll go change,” I say.
I head for my room where I open my wardrobe and start flicking through the clothes there. I haven’t really brought party clothes. I always thought the university party thing was a bit of a myth and that in reality we’d be hanging out in a student bar in old jeans and a sweater.
There’s that one dress I brought just in case, but it’s more for a club than a house party.
I get it out anyway and hold it up in front of me.
It’s short, pale pink, and the only thing connecting the tiny top part to the skirt part is two twists of material.
I can’t even wear a bra with it. No. It’s way too over the top.
“It’s perfect,” Laurel says from behind me.
I had no idea she was standing in the doorway to my room, and I turn to look at her.
“Isn’t it a bit too much?” I ask.
“Honey, it’s just the right amount of much. When it comes to Valens House, nothing is too much.” Trust me.” she reassures me with a smile.
I suppose I’ll have to trust her, at least for now.
“OK, I’ll wear the dress,” I say, already wondering how far my student loan will stretch if I am going to need more of these types of clothes. Erin nods her approval and moves away from the doorway.
I spend the next forty-five minutes or so getting ready. I apply make-up and tidy up my curls. I do my nails and dig out a pair of nude heels. Finally, I put the dress on, and as I look in the mirror, I feel as if I’m looking at a different person now.
“Come on Leona, our ride is here,” Erin shouts.
I wasn’t aware we were getting a ride, but with heels the size of mine, I certainly won’t say no to it.
“Coming,” I call out.
I spray a generous amount of perfume on and then grab the handbag that matches my shoes. I shove my phone, my house key and some money into it, and that’s about all it holds. I go back to the lounge.
“Wow. You look amazing,” Laurel says as I come in.
“Thanks,” I reply.
Erin comes into the lounge from the hallway. She looks me up and down and then grins.
“Well, aren’t you just the penny that shines,” she says.
It’s a new expression to me but I’ll take the compliment. We all troop out of the house, and I see a large black car with blacked out windows waiting for us. It’s not the sort of car normal people drive, either. It’s the sort of car that comes with a chauffeur.
“That’s our ride?” I ask. “I just thought you meant a friend was picking us up.”
“Shawn sent his driver,” Erin says as if that explains everything. Seeing my confusion, she smiles. “Shawn is my brother. He is one of the hosts of tonight’s party.”
I still have questions, but I don’t get chance to ask them before I’m ushered into the car. It’s a short drive, no more than what would have been a five minute walk, but I have to admit it’s kind of fun turning up in style.
We pull up outside of a large house that sits in its own grounds.
There are people milling around on the steps leading up to the open front door and there are people dotted all around the grounds.
All of them watch as we get out of the car and for a moment, I feel like I’m a celebrity, or at least catching a ride with some.
Everyone seems to know Erin. As we walk towards the door, she throws out introductions to me.
Within minutes I have forgotten most of the names, but no one much seems to care when I just greet them with a smile or a hi.
When we reach the house, music is blaring and more people are milling around. A few are already dancing.
“This is Tilly Powel,” Erin says as a tall girl comes over to greet us. Her blonde hair is streaked with red color and she’s wearing a dress that perfectly matches that shade of red.
“Tilly, this is Leona Marshall. She’s my new roommate.” Erin explains.
“Hey,” Tilly says. “How are you finding it so far?”
“OK, a bit overwhelming, if I’m honest,” I admit with a soft laugh.