Page 61 of The Vipers and Their Venom

She sighs. “This place isn’t normal, Vani. You must understand as much, no?”

I nod because of course I do, but that’s why it’s so strict and hence why I thought such things wouldn’t be allowed.

“The fraternization rules can be strict.” She shrugs. “But that’s only if you’re already promised to someone. If not, you’re pretty much fair game. Any daughter who is already promised being publicly caught will be in major trouble, as her reputation will be ruined, but lots of shit goes on behind the scenes.”

“And the men?” I ask. “What happens to them?”

“Well, it depends. On who he is and who she is. Whoher fatheris, and the man she might be getting married to. The discipline will come from the families, not so much the school.”

“You’re joking right? The guys get away with it?”

“No.” She stops walking and pulls me to one side, lowering her voice as a few students walk by. “They don’t get away with it. They won’t get dismissed, but they might lose their lives. Or a finger. Or get beaten.”

Her face is kind as she looks at me. “You might be from a world where the rules are different, but you’re clearly not from our world. The race is different, an event out of time, if you will. There are rumors, and they’re only rumors, that it’s kind of a free pass if something happens. No one knows if this is true because we can’t exactly ask the faculty, can we? It’s exaggerated bullshit,if you ask me, but because it’s the lore around the event, it really matters that no woman wanders off in the woods alone because rumors start that way, and if you can’t prove where you were? You’ll be labeled as a slut.”

I shake my head. I am regretting my choice to come here more and more.

“I won’t be as fast as you,” I say, “and I don’t want to hold you back. I’ll have to hope Angelica and Jarena wait for me.”

She purses her lips and grabs my hand. “Listen, Vani, don’t trust–”

“There you are.” Angelica rushes up to us and grabs Faith’s free hand. “We’re late for the pre-race drinks. You coming to the bar with us?” she asks me.

“No, I’m good. Thanks.” The last thing I need before the race is a night in a bar. I wish Faith had been able to finish what she started to tell me, but Angelica’s grip on her friend’s hand is firm.

“See you tomorrow,” Faith says as she’s practically dragged away. “Oh, don’t forget to tick your name off on the list,” she adds.

“List?”

“Yes, when you arrive tomorrow, your name will be on the list, with your number. Tick your name off, grab the number from the pile, and pin it to your top. See you tomorrow.”

I wave at her as she disappears, and then the importance of her words hits me.

There’s a list. I will be able to see if Reagan’s name is on it and find her number. I had considered chickening out of the race and saying I’d hurt my ankle, but nothing will keep me away now.

34

ZANE

I’m not in the mood for the race, but it will blow off some aggression and adrenaline, so I turn up for it, despite having a pass if I want one. My lack of a voice doesn’t affect my legs, though the fatigue from all the ops can hit me hard sometimes.

Everyone is treating me with kid gloves. Even that asshole, Rossi. Anyone would think he had a heart. The guy has laid off being on my back twenty-four-seven for once, and right now, I could probably get away with coasting all year if I wanted. I don’t want. Trouble is, I don’t know what I do want.

Tired, but wired, and feeling like I want to crawl out of my own skin, I head to the table with the list of participants.

I tick my name off the sheet and grab my number, twenty-four. I stick it on my tank top and wait around for the twins. This sort of thing is my idea of hell, but I’m bored, and all of our house must partake unless they’ve been given permission not to. That means our little Venom should be here. She’s avoiding us. Lex told me what Saint did, and we’ve not had any time with her since then.

Fucking Saint can be such an asshole at times. He’d better not ruin this for us, or he’ll have my fist to talk to.

Yesterday, I saw her turn around and walk the other way when the twins were approaching her. Still, while she’s at Verona Falls, there’s no getting away from us. She can’t avoid us here. Oh, she can stick with her new gal pal clique, but at least we’ll get a chance to fuck with her.

She turns up with only five minutes to go. Her new friends are off to one side. Angelica looks like she’s dressed for an Instagram picture. Faith is limbering up, and Jarena daydreams in her own world as usual.

Vani seems to be reading every damn name on the list. I sidle over to her, being quiet as I approach.

It’s in alphabetical order, you don’t have to read every name. I shove my phone under her nose with the note written on it.

She turns and shoots me such an angry glance that I almost take a step back.

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