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He’s in way over his head. Damian is going to destroy him, make him a shell of the boy I grew up with.

He might even hurt him.

But not if I stop it from happening. I’m going to get him out of this cult, no matter what it takes.

With a fire of indignation burning in my chest, I slip back to the crowd while Damian and Rhett continue their conversation. By the time they return, my chest is tight, and my palms are still damp. I do my best to keep my posture straight and my breathing steady, forcing myself to look like I didn’t just eavesdrop on a conversation that’s so wild it feels like a dream.

A nightmare.

I’m startled when Damian strides toward me, his gaze sharp. “I’m sorry we neglected you.” He searches my face. Is he wondering if I eavesdropped?

If he is, he doesn’t look the slightest bit worried. Only curious.

I force a bright smile, determined not to show him an ounce of fear. “I was fine. There’s so much to look at.”

His lips quirk. “It’s nothing compared to our Michaelmas Ball next week. It’s one of our most exclusive events. You should come.”

The words are delivered casually, but there’s a weight behind them. A command wrapped in an invitation.

“Michaelmas. What a weird name for a frat party.”

“Thornecroft is very old. We have weird traditions.”

The burning anger in me pushes me to say more. I can’t let this man off the hook. I have to show him my strength. “It seemslike you all lean in to the cult rumors. You don’t go out of your way to contradict them.”

He smiles—that same hooded smile he gave me in the garden as he approached me slowly. “I can’t control what people say. It’s useless to try.” His brow knits. “Why do you keep bringing it up? You said you didn’t believe it.”

I raise my chin. “Maybe it doesn’t take a lot of skill or intelligence to keep a secret. Maybe all it takes is…fear. Fear is enough to manipulate people.”

His eyes flash. First with shock, then something brighter, like excitement. I’ve seen this before. When I didn’t return his smile that day in class.

He likes that I’m standing up to him.

And that’s not good for me.

It means he thinks he’s already won. Like he told Rhett, he’s never had trouble withgirls like me. He wants me for some mysterious purpose, and my resistance is only an added spice to my eventual capitulation.

“If Iwerea cult leader,” he says, his voice hushed, “I wouldn’t need people to fear me.” His gaze drifts down my body and then back up to my face. “They’d follow me willingly.”

My God.

I think he meansme.

I lick my lips. “You overestimate your charisma.”

His lips quirk. “Do I?”

“Yes.” I clench my teeth. “I, for one, would never follow you anywhere.”

His eyes are an unimaginably bright blue and his smile makes me cold inside. “That’s what they all say…at first.”

6

Damian

I’m going to seduce her. She hates me now—or thinks she does—but in a matter of weeks, she’ll adore me. I can’t wait to watch that defiance soften into devotion, to see the sharpness in her eyes melt into something warm and sweet.

The thought alone sends a hit of euphoria through my veins. What better way to solidify my power? I’ll become Prior, and her virginity will be my prize.