Page 38 of Ruthless Chaos

Tara doesn’t react, though,

Her eyes don’t leave the road. The narrow country road has broadened a bit. It’s the first sign that we’re heading toward civilization. The road is still flanked by the forest, though it doesn’t feel like it’s closing in on us anymore.

“Basically, Saint Frederic was started by three people. They each funded one of the dorms, and eventually those dorms became more than just student accommodations. They became social groups, each modeled off the philosophy of their founders.”

I nod, following her explanation.

The term ‘social group’ seems a little light compared to the cultish activities I saw unfold this morning, but I don’t mention that.

“So Hemlock, for example, was founded by Anna Davies. She was one of the most influential women of her time. She worked as a courtesan and had some of the world’s most powerful men under her spell.” Her voice is filled with reverence. “The history books don’t talk about it, but her pussy ended the Napoleonic War.” She grins. “That’s the whole point of Hemlock. To create the next generation of women who will use their femininity to do great things.”

My lips form an ‘O’.

By itself, I like that history. I’ve always believed that women are more powerful than we’re led to believe. Society—and oppressive men—like to keep us subjugated because they fear how powerful we can be.

Appraising a woman like livestock and categorizing her because of her looks is not how it’s done, though. Hemlock House got it wrong with that.

“What about the others?”

“House history is secret and is usually only passed down among actual members. Kingmaker is some sort of secret society for men, but I have no idea what they do. I just know not to fuck around with them because some of them are psychopaths and you’re never sure which ones until it’s too late. Chaos House believes that sex is some sort of manifesting tool, or weapon. I’m not entirely sure.”

To know that Alexander is not just a part of Kingmaker but theirleadersends a shudder down my spine. He did seem dangerous, but in a magnetic kind of way.

Now I know it was deeper than that.

That’s probably how he gets people under his spell.

“And Hell House?” I ask.

Tara laughs. “It’s actually called René Vogt House, but it got that name because it's a shitshow down there. Eight, sometimes nine people to a room, communal showers—it’s probably worse than jail. Fights break out there all the time. There’s barely enough food. I think people even die there but they cover it up.” She grimaces. “It reminds me of a comuna.”

Suddenly, I’m thankful Cassidy didn’t send me there.

If that’s what it’s actually like, the threats make sense. Why would anyone ever send their kids to a university with those kind of living conditions?

“Are all the people who live there rejects from one of the three houses?”

She shakes her head. “Most people end up there to begin with,” she says. “Saint Frederic is a strange place, Allie. Some of us come here to make connections, to carry on a family tradition, and some people are sent here to die.” She skates over the latter part of her sentence. “A lot of the people on Hell House come from families who don’t really care what happens to them.”

My throat feels thick. I expected Tara’s explanation to make things a little clearer. Instead, I feel like I’m finding out things I shouldn’t.

Things that make me feel like this is the most dangerous place to be.

“Why would anyone want to endure that?” My voice is mousy.

Tara’s lips twist into a glum smile. “Because shit is worse for them wherever they are from. Saint Frederic is one of the only places in the world where people like us can have a semi-normal life.”

People like us.

I tamp down the bubble of anxiety. “The Peace Treaty, huh?”

It’s bait, and I hope she takes it because I want to know more about that too.

She bops her head sharply. “Yes, it protects us all. For some people, it’s more protection than what they have back home.”

That isn’t hard to believe. It’s the whole reason I am here.

“Does it really stop people from getting killed?”