Page 171 of Seeds of Malice

I repeat, "I really am proud of you. You were fucking amazing up there."

She takes a deep breath.

One of the new freshmen rushing our frat enters the room. He's wearing the same silver thong and bow tie as the other servers. He has a tray of drinks with smoke rising off them.

"What's this?" I ask, pretending I don't know, but I've had it often.

"Rum & Smoke. I was told that only those who survive get it," he answers.

"These are good, Ivy. You're going to love this," Lilly declares.

I pick one up and hand it to her. Everyone else takes one, and I grab one for myself. I hold my glass in the air. "To passing the first test and being one step closer to making all your dreams come true."

Everybody clinks the shots together.

I instruct Ivy, "Don't sip it. Take it all at once." She nods, and we all toss our shots back. The alcohol travels down my throat and warms my belly. I get an instant buzz. It's the strongest alcohol we have, and it's guaranteed to give Ivy more liquid courage to do what I want her to do next.

Avery returns to the room almost as if on cue, announcing, "They're eliminating all the other steps for you two."

"Really?" Ivy questions.

"Why is that?" Lilly asks.

"Well, all but one," Avery adds.

"So then we only have to do one more thing, and then we're sisters?" Lilly questions excitedly.

"Yes. You two got lucky. You just get to have fun in this next part."

"We do?" Ivy asks with relief in her voice.

"Yeah."

"So what do we have to do?" Lilly inquires.

"Bobby, Lilly, Dax, Ivy—you're to stay in this room until the sun rises," Avery states.

"And?" I question, as if I don't know what's going to happen.

She drops the bomb. "Bobby's in charge. Everyone has to follow his orders and do whatever he wants."

Ivy glances around the room at the couches and several pieces of sex furniture that I'm pretty sure she has no idea what are used for. Fear takes over her expression.

"Sounds fun." Lilly smirks.

Avery motions to Cindy and Marcey. "Come on, ladies. Let's leave them alone so they can finish their rush requirements."

Marcey and Cindy follow Avery out of the room, and the door shuts. The click of the lock fills the air.

For the first time ever, the hairs on my neck rise.

Ivy grabs my arm.

Bobby goes over to the stereo and turns on the music. He goes to the bar, fills four glasses with scotch, and sets them on a tray. He brings it back over to us.

"I'm okay," Ivy says.

Lilly giggles. "Nope! We have to do whatever Bobby wants!"

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