Page 20 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

“It is, but not throughout the year. It opens on the night of The Massacre Ball. Currently, that part of town is closed off to the public with the preparations going on.”

“Oh.” I slump against my seat. “The annual Ball is a big deal, huh?”

“Very. Brings a lot of money to the founders.”

“I bet.”

We reach the school thirty minutes later. It’s situated up a hill and surrounded by lush greenery. Ace parks his vehicle in a reserved spot in the lot. On my tour, I was told this is a separate entrance for the staff. I’ll have to ask Greta if I can have a reserved spot as well.

We both get out and I close the door behind me.

“I’m glad you listened, Nessa,” teases Ace after reaching my side.

His body crowds me against the side door and our fingers touch when he passes me my purse, which he kept in the back seat. Tilting my head to meet his gaze, I murmur in a small voice, “About?”

“You didn’t thank me for picking you up.”

I had the urge to but I refrained. “It… was hard not to.”

“I bet.” Stepping back, he reminds me, “Don’t thank me tomorrow either.”

“We’ll see,” I joke.

He shakes his head, eyes full of amusement. Both of us fall into a walk toward the building’s entrance. Since I have aclass in the first period, I have to part ways with him to go directly to my class.

“See you at lunch.”

I nod and turn toward the opposite hallway. Students fill the halls and I sense their burning eyes on my profile. They don’t say anything but I hear the murmurs behind their fists. I catch a few of the things they’re saying, which prove my suspicions about the news spreading.

“Yeah, it’s her.”

“Miss Davenport. The new English lit teacher.”

“I can’t believe she got Augustus expelled.”

“Scarlett is going to kill her.”

The last one sends a skitter of fear down my spine. I know she’s the resident queen bee, but is she a psychopath like her brother? Do I need to watch out for her too?

Soon, I reach my classroom and enter with my head held high.

All the students haven’t arrived yet and at the sound of my heels, the ones lounging and chatting quiet down. They scamper to their seats and settle down.

“Good morning, everyone,” I greet, smiling.

A few murmur back and in the small crowd, I see Augustus’s sister. Her vivid eyes aim a glare my way, displaying anger for my hand in her brother’s absence. I expect her to lash out but she says nothing.

Aside from a glare from Scarlett, everyone else hides their true expression. Some smile politely, some hold respect, while a few are nervous and guarded.

While I wait for others to file in, I arrange the items on my table.

Today, I feel more confident. It could be entirely because Augustus and Maverick aren’t here.

While there’s nothing I can do about my personal life at home, I’m hoping to start fresh at my job.

I need one thing to go right in my life.

The moment the bell rings, I glance at the door.

Kaid, along with his friend, who joked the last time, stroll in. The former has put effort into properly dressing even though his face says he’d rather be wearing anything else.

Meanwhile, the latter has his tie loose and thetop buttons of his shirt undone.

I didn’t notice his appearance last time because I was distracted.

But there’s no ignoring the tattoos peeking around his throat and chest, the light blue hair falling over his forehead, and thepiercings in his nose and ears.

Why do all the boys in this school look older than they are?

Kaid and his friend are both rough around the edges and not refined like the rest of their peers. I wonder what their families do.

“Please close the door, Kaid,” I command.

His gaze remains hard as he shuts the door and goes to sit at the back of the classroom beside his friend.

“I hope everyone had a great weekend,” I speak once everyone is settled. “In the last class, we read a chapter. However, today I want to discuss something else. A fun assignment.”

Turning around, I write one word on the whiteboard and hear intrigued gasps ring out behind me.

“Masks?” one of the students in the front row utters with a frown.

“Yes. Masks.” Rounding the desk, I lean against it, and ask, “What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this word?”

“Halloween.”

“Horror.”

“Masktok.”

I suppress a shiver at the answer and focus on the others.

The guy next to Kaid says, “Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley.”

“ Scream .”

“Biker men,” says Scarlett loudly over the others. I don’t miss the smirk she sends Kaid’s and his friend’s way.

The girls all sigh at her answer and collectively gasp, “Oh yes!”

“Nothing wrong with those answers. If I ask you from the world of literacy and history, what or who comes to mind?”

A hand rises from the middle of the row. I recognize the person from the bracelet and smile. “Yes, Capri?”

“ The Great Gatsby .” Her voice is as timid and soft as I remember.

“Yes. Why do you think everyone is fascinated with masks? What’s the intrigue?” I ask the crowd, pacing to one side. “Is it just the anonymity? The thrill? Our curiosity?”

“I believe it’s all of the above,” Capri answers. “Everyone is attracted to mysteries in some degree or form and these men pose the biggest ones.”

“You’re right. The world wouldn’t be where it is today if we weren’t curious to solve mysteries,” I reply. “But what about these people? Why do they want to hide their identity? What motivates them?”

“They want to hide their ugly faces,” jokes Kaid’s friend.

“Could be,” I murmur, then trail off. “Mr.…?”

He straightens from his slumping position. “Wolf Tanner.”

“What else?”

“It’s the only way they can be who they truly want to be without judgment.” This comes from Scarlett in a surprisingly serious tone.

“Or a chickenshit way to do bad things and get away with it,” counters Kaid, gazing at Scarlett, who twists her neck to throw daggers at him.

Before she can respond with something mean and provoking, I reprimand him, “We’re not having a debate, Kaid. Would you care to tell the class what you think?”

“Sure.” Steepling his hands on the desk, he answers, “It’s about control and feeling powerful.

Being the center of attention, yet not. A way to conceal the ugliness and sickness in oneself.

And, of course, half of these men do it for the stupid girls throwing themselves at them despite the danger they emanate. A sure way to get laid.”

The guys all around him snicker.

He aims the last remark at Scarlett. However, it touches a nerve in me too.

Am I not guilty of the same?

Yesterday when Augustus took me on the stairs, I didn’t see the monster overpowering me. All I could picture was him on that bike, strumming my pussy the way he was revving his engine and wishing he was wearing his gear.

A treacherous part of mewas also disappointed he didn’t have his mask on like the last two times.

“Language,” I scold Kaid.

“Sorry, Miss Davenport.” He doesn’t look apologetic and leans back smugly. Wolf smacking him on the back.

“The last point aside,” I say loudly, drawing everyone’s attention back to the topic.

“There’s a certain thrill in the unknown.

A power trip. Pretending to be someone you’re not just for that rush.

But are the masks only tangible? Often, a person can be just as deadly without one.

Which one do you think is more dangerous? ”

As athoughtful and pensive look crosses their eyes, the bell rings. Before they all can disperse, I give them an assignment.

“I want you all to think about what we discussed today and write an essay about your favorite masked man, whether from a movie or social media.” Surprise flickers on their faces, making me amused. “I may be your teacher but I’m not that old.”

Gathering my things, I exit the room with a skip in my step.

If only the rest of the day would go just as well.