Page 14

I smirk as Peony storms away. I’m pleased with myself. The plan is in action, and while the rest of the Trinity aren’t exactly on board yet, they soon will be. I won’t give them a choice in the matter. Our bond comes first.

Well, to them it does anyway. The only thing that would ever have trumped what we share is Peony. Time and distance have allowed me to reinforce their loyalty to The Trinity. No doubt I’ll have to remind them of that – frequently – with Odile’s reappearance. But I’m prepared to do that because the end justifies the means.

The canteen today was busy enough that my none-too-subtle message will be received loud and clear. Gossip spreads like wildfire around this campus – more than any other – and I’m certain it will be a matter of minutes before word gets back to my intended targets.

The Gods.

Such a fucking stupid name. It’s not even worthy of the capital letters they insist on giving themselves. They’re an absolute joke within our circles. As if they could ever hope to elevate themselves to such a high status. They sure as shit can’t overtake us in power, rank or following. They’re just a sad desperate band of wannabes and the Hunting Grounds will prove that.

Anyone who’s interested in Odile Kemp is on my shit list and they better fucking watch out.

Sure, it stands to reason that some foolish idiots may target Odile even more now that I’ve staked my claim. But unless they enter the Hunting Ground with their cronies for backup and support, they won’t be able to touch her, and we’ll be there to protect her when the time comes.

I smile at a plan well executed, then frown a moment later because it doesn’t mean that I don’t still have my hands full. I fucking do.

The Spirit is a flirtatious dick, and I can already tell that he’s going to enjoy fucking with Odile to wind me up. I’m going to have to remind him of his place. I don’t give a shit how blessed he is; if he fucks with what’s mine, there’s no way he’s coming back from the dead a fourth time, our bond be damned.

The Son, on the other hand, is a fucking mess at her mere presence. He’s pathetic. I don’t know exactly what went down there, though I have my suspicions. I will find out for definite. I will exploit every weakness – even if it means betraying my brothers – to get what I want.

And what I want is The Doe.

The Doe herself. Defiant to her last breath. As always. She’s going to push back and fight me at every turn. I can tell. My muscles burn in anticipation of putting her in her place, teaching her some fucking respect at long last, of punishing her for years of defiance and attitude.

I’m going to enjoy every fucking minute of it. But I will win and I will remind her that she’s ours. Mine. I don’t plan on sharing her with my brothers. They’ll protest, of course, because they’re pathetically in love with her still, but they’ll fall into line or face the repercussions of defying me.

As for Odile, I branded her before she even hit double figures and I’m not about to let her fucking forget who she belongs to. And just in case my message wasn’t clear enough, I’ll send another one. I’ll send a hundred in blood if I have to.

Pulling my phone from inside my blazer, I dial my associate.

“Boss?”

“She’ll be heading your way soon. Keep an eye out.”

“Will do.”

“I want to know the names of anyone who even looks at her sideways. Understand?”

“Do you want me to take care of them if they do, boss?”

“No. That pleasure’s all mine.”

“Sure thing.”

The line goes dead and I pocket the phone again with a smirk. Someone is going to die today because they won’t be able to help themselves.

I hope it’s one of The Gods.