to the right.
“Aren’t we going inside?”
“That’s Aspen Halls. For classes only. And as it’s Sunday, it’s locked up tight. If you wanna study on the weekends you can head to the Hemlock Library on westside. Accommodation is on east.”
We rounded Aspen Halls and my pulse elevated at the sight before me. A hill rolled down to the most beautiful lake I’d ever seen. Its glistening blue water stretched out towards a snow-capped mountain in the distance. It was picturesque, breath-taking.
“That’s Tahoma Mountain.” Blake pointed it out. “And right down at the base of it is Sycamore Beach. It’s a decent hangout, especially in the summer.”
“Nice.” I smiled.
Everlake Preparatory was right on the edge of the Chinquapin Mountain Range and though the air was cold, it was also the freshest I’d ever tasted. It was a far cry from the beach town in SoCal I’d been calling home for the past few months. I could practically feel my tan fading already as a lick of Fall hung in the air.
Most of the trees that circled the lake were pines and more gothic buildings poked out from within them, while others sat right on the lake’s edge. I spotted the huge boathouse in the distance and students out kayaking on the still waters. The landscape lured me in, begging me to explore the rising hills of forest either side of the lake and the sun gilded beach at the most northerly point of campus.
“Wanna know the story of the Everlake, Tate?” Blake asked, his brows arching as that dark look entered his eyes again. He spoke to me like he’d known me a lifetime and I couldn’t help but start to feel comfortable around him already. He had the kind of aura that drew people in and made them hang on his every word. I could see what he meant about being unpredictable, there was something purely wild about him which a part of me longed to know.
“Sure,” I agreed as he led me down the hill toward the path that curved to the east of the lake. I hugged my coat tighter around me as a cool wind washed off of the water and brought the scent of reeds and the sound of chattering birds with it.
“There’s a Native American legend from the Kotari tribe who used to inhabit this land. They warned the men who came here and settled around the lake that the Night People who lived in the forest were always watching them.”
“The Night People?” I breathed. That sounded seriously creepy.
“Yeah, they’re dark spirits who come in the night and drag their enemies into the trees never to be seen again.” Blake’s dark green eyes sparkled with the story and a grin pulled at my mouth as he went on. “The Kotari tribe warned them that if they didn’t send sacrifices into the woods once a month, their entire people would be slaughtered.”
“So what happened?” I asked, falling into the tale despite being totally sure it wasn’t true.
“They didn’t listen,” he said in a gravelly tone that sent heat flooding into my belly. “And a week later, their mutilated bodies were found floating in the lake. Hundreds of them. Men, women, children…”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, do you really expect me to buy that?”
He shrugged innocently. “I’m just telling you how it is. You’d better watch out or you might get offered up to the Night People for the monthly sacrifice. Because if no one dies…then we all die.” He jabbed me in the side and I laughed.
“So how can I avoid being chosen?” I played along.
“Well if you suck the right cocks I’m sure you can stay out of trouble.” He smirked and I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I don’t suck dick for favours. Besides, if I got thrown to the Night People, I reckon I’d come back leading them so I guess I’ll take my chances.”
“Is that so?” His eyes dipped to my mouth and he wet his lips like I was his next meal.
“Yeah, that’s so.” I smirked, turning my gaze out across the water.
An incredible old church stood out on the far bank, its high walls climbing up to a steepled roof. It even had a huge stained glass window in the shape of a crucifix taking up most of the front wall, staring out over the lake. I itched to spend some time exploring the building. I could see myself spending a whole lot of time in there.
No, Tatum, you’ve gotta stay