Kings of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #1) - Caroline Peckham ,Susanne Valenti Page 0,144

little shit!” Brown yelled and Saint released him with a tsk.

Brown hugged his hand to his chest, trying to get his composure back, but he looked like a far smaller man than he had when he’d walked in. I was shocked into silence as I stood there, having no idea what to do.

“It’s your choice,” Blake said in a cold voice, moving forward to rub shoulders with Saint again. Kyan pulled me forward too, lining me up beside him. Brown’s eyes slid to me, his features twisting as he marked me out as one of them. I wanted to scream that I wasn’t, that I hated them as much as he clearly did. But I’d only be punished for it. And I didn’t think I’d enjoy it this time.

Brown clenched his jaw, his eyes whipping back and forth along the four of us. “This isn’t over. Mark my words.” He turned and stalked out of the building and a ragged breath escaped my lungs.

Saint adjusted his tie then walked straight back over to the breakfast table to finish his meal, acting like he’d never been interrupted. Blake slid onto the couch to watch TV and I stood there, realising my hand was still locked in Kyan’s grip. I glanced up at him under my lashes and he mouth twitched at the corner.

“We look after our own,” he said in a low voice. “It’s cutthroat, baby, but it’s how we survive. We’re extending that to you, so you’d better remember to offer the same courtesy.” He released my hand and I was left in the wake of his threat. Or had it been a reassurance?

It struck me that the Night Keepers did have a survival plan after all. They were the type of beasts that could make the most powerful of people quake in the night. And it only worked because they were so unquestionably unified. If you were their enemy, so fucking help you. I knew that better than anyone. And somehow, I was sure the worst was yet to come.

***

I made it through a relatively painless day at school considering the fact that most people simply ignored my existence. The Night Keepers threatened anyone who even looked at me for too long, so I at least didn’t have to worry about getting called names anymore. For reasons beyond my comprehension, they didn’t want anyone abusing their precious little pet but them.

My phone buzzed as I made it to the lake, hoping to steal an hour or so to myself in the Hemlock Library. But fate was not on my side.

King of the Fuckwits:

Come to The Temple. It’s time to learn the rules.

I clenched my jaw, sending him a squid emoji just to mess with him. He couldn’t get mad at it; it was harmless. But I knew it would piss him off all the same.

I headed back to The Temple, dragging my heels until I pushed through the door and prepared myself for another evening in hell.

Kyan and Blake were sprawled on the couch playing video games again. They didn’t even look up as I entered, but the two of them raised their hands and pointed toward the upper level where Saint’s room was located.

“Thanks underlings,” I taunted, breezing past them and feeling their resulting glares following me.

I headed up the wooden stairway and my heart started to pound out of rhythm as I reached the top. This space felt sacred, off limits. And being summoned here was just another power play. The first thing I knew as I reached the balcony was that Saint dominated this room.

The exposed, grey brick walls were bare and a huge circular, stained glass window cast the enormous bed before it in blue and green light; a tree was featured in the ornate image, a juicy red apple hanging down enticingly from a branch to seemingly perch above Saint’s head.

Everything in the space was immaculate. From the rack of vinyl beside a freaking old school record player to the single nightstand and organised dark wood desk.

Saint stood at the end of the bed in a smart shirt and slacks, his hands clasped behind his back and his body haloed in light like he was an angel. It was a twisted kind of joke that didn’t amuse me in the slightest.

My gaze fell on my suitcase which was parked at the side of his room beside a closet.

“This transition has been sloppy,” Saint spoke, breaking the silence but increasing the tension in the air