Page 55 of Divine Oaths

My cheeks burned as Kasem’s deep brown eyes bore into mine.

“Don’t tell me you agree?”

“Obviously not,” I said, but I couldn’t meet his gaze, and the disappointment that seemed to bloom there brought me back to that day in the store, when I’d eyed his money with greed.

“All right,” he said. He leaned toward me, my back pressing up against the wall as he drew closer. We were inches apart now, his thigh pressed against mine, his lips a breath away, his long lashes delicate, entreating, his smile pleasant, yet forced. “Then how about we change our arrangement? You do me a solid with what I asked of you earlier, and I’ll help you make my brother jealous.”

I pushed him away.

“You’re being a jerk,” I said. “And you’re not even drunk. I know there’s just water in your flask.”

“Oh, I’m the jerk?” He laughed. “Sorry, I thought I was just playing along.”

He stood to leave, but Honey took his hand.

“Don’t be mad, Kasem. I’m just trying to help.”

“Well, no one asked for it, least of all me.”

Honey whispered something to him, and he pulled away, leaving her teary-eyed and hurt.

Suddenly, the lights went out. Screams erupted, and some people stumbled to their feet, trying to escape the pitch-dark room. A chill filled the air, and behind us there was a sharp click as the door was locked from the other side.

The only light came from the faint glow of candles. A figure emerged from a hidden door that, moments before, had been a bookshelf. The figure wore a black veil over her face with moths woven into the lace. The glow of the candlelight and the spidery lace of her veil cast shadows across her pale face. A single moth led her path into the room.

“The hour of midnight draws near,” she said. “It’s time.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

What fates impose

I LOOKED AROUND WILDLY, SEARCHING for an exit, anxiety churning within me.

“Did everyone bring their object?” The figure in the veil drew closer, and I could make out her features. It was the woman Honey had introduced earlier as the Theta chapter president, but her name escaped me.

She gestured to Honey, who seemed to be pulling herself together after the argument with Kasem. But with the spotlight on her, Honey snapped back into her usual bubbly self.

She held up her hand, flashing us an expensive-looking engagement ring on her finger. It was gold, with the same elegant finish as the one hanging from my cowrie shell bracelet. A large, glittering diamond was fashioned on the bridge of the gold band.

All the girls squealed, while the guys exchanged knowing looks.

“Who’s the lucky man?” Janette asked.

“It’s a secret,” Honey said, flashing me a wink.

Beside me, Kasem returned to his seat, stiffening and not responding to the engagement news the way the others had. We were the only two who knew that the mystery man was none other than Alaster.

To my surprise, though, Honey pulled the ring off and placed it in the middle of the circle. Everyone started shuffling through their jewelry or objects they’d brought and placing them there too. Someone, the fan boat girl, I realized, had even brought a leather-bound notebook into the circle.

“Sianna will bring hers next time,” Honey said to excuse me. When it was Kasem’s turn, he simply took a shot from his silver flask. A few people had done something similar. Taking a shot or drinking was the only way to get out of offering something to the circle.

Joseph, the guy from Poppy House’s orientation, was among the Sigma brothers. He offered a baseball cap.

“Does that mean you’ll be the host, Kasem?”

Cheers spilled through the room, but Kasem flipped his friends off.

“Like hell I will,” he said.