Page 40 of Vicious Knight
I didn’t expect to see her, so I shouldn’t be disappointed.
Knowing Ivy she will have rushed back to her dorm.
That’s okay.
Tonight was just the beginning.
A taste of her.
The next night, we gather outside the boathouse for the first big trial.
This event is the only thing that’s successfully occupied my mind enough to keep me from seeking out Ivy Yegorov.
I’ve been working with Caspian and Lucian all day. Now we’re here for the big moment.
Caspian, Lucian and I stand before the twenty pledges who are competing to be selected for our elite group.
“Haec nox est nox, quam vitam tuam effundis vetus ac de novo incipis,” Caspian speaks first as our leader, reminding them of the first paragraph of our Creed.
It’s in Latin, like the Oath. It translates to: Tonight is the night you shed your old life and start anew.
“Ego spondee,” they all reply in unison, confirming their pledge to us.
“I hope you'll all remember that.” Caspian scans over the guys, focusing mainly on Kade, who stares back with a stern face.
Caspian switches his gaze to James next, who still looks like he was ravaged by wolves. James is lucky Kade didn’t kill his ass. The fool would have died in that chamber last night if Lucian hadn’t come to find me when he did.
“Tonight is the beginning of the rest of your lives.” Like a war commander, Caspian walks down the line of the first row of pledges and stops. “Each of you here was assured a place at Raventhorn, but it is not guaranteed that you will become a Knight. The same as it’s not a guarantee that you will become part of my elite. Tonight, eight men will be chosen to continue the trials for the elite group. In the weeks to come, only four will remain.”
I focus on the four I’ve been drawn to since the semester began. They’re standing together now. Kade, Dmitri, Logan and Alek, Lucian’s cousin. I predicted Alek would join the trio, which he did.
They were accepting of him joining their pack for two reasons.
The first is, he’s Lucian’s cousin. As Lucian is already in with us, they believe Alek has a sure spot and want to make use of him. It’s human nature to use others. Part of the survival of the fittest.
The other reason is he’s just as unhinged as they are.
“Over to you, Thorne.” Caspian looks at me.
I give the pledges a wicked smile. A sign I’m about to fuck with them all six ways to Sunday. “This trial will take place in the river.”
The puzzled look on each of their faces is exactly what I expected to see.
Except for the moonlight and the light from the boathouse, it’s pitch black. Since I gave no indication that there would be any water activities, they’re wearing T-shirts and jeans.
“You will work in groups of four. There’s something at the bottom of the river I need your group to retrieve for me. The item holds some specific meaning to each of you in the group. I will hand your team leader a number. First, you must locate that number along the riverbank to know what part of the water to enter.” This idea was one of my best. Inspired by my love for Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Resident Evil movies.
“The first two groups to bring their item to me will win tonight’s round. There’s a box of waterproof flashlights over by the boats. Use whatever you can find around the docks to help you.” I smile wider when I think of the twist in this trial. “Oh, and beware of my friends at the bottom of the river that bite. They’re particularly fond of human flesh.”
With that declaration, even the guys acting like they’re hardcore motherfuckers look like they’re about to shit themselves.
“What’s down there?” James stutters. The little prick has the audacity to look scared in front of me.
“Crocs.”
The silence that descends on the group is like death. Still, unmoving and cold. It lasts for a full minute before James takes a quick breath. Or maybe it’s more like a gulp. Or he heaved.
“How did crocs get in the water?”