Page 26 of The Wrong Quarterback

I shifted, still bound, my wrists aching from the tightness of the ropes. I stared at the masked guys—some of them taller, broader, others leaner, but all dressed in black, blending into the shadows. The masked guy directly in front of me itched his knee, and through the dim light, I saw the bottom of a very familiar tiger tattoo peeking out from beneath his sleeve.

That was definitely Garrett, a senior running back on the team. We’d always given him a hard time about it because the tiger’s tail looked like a dick.

I glanced around the room for more clues, and then I saw it—a stone altar on the back wall, carved with the symbol of the Sphinx, unmistakable with its sharp, angular lines and detailed depictions—a scarab at the center, its wings spread wide, surrounded by piercing eyes and Egyptian looking shapes. Dark red smears marred the mark on the wall, almost like dried blood, giving it a sinister, creepy edge.

It finally hit me then…I was being fucking initiated.

I hadn’t ever given the Sphinx or any of the other secret societies on campus much thought. I was firmly of the opinion that I controlled my own destiny. I was going to be the number one pick in the NFL draft, whether I was a part of a secret society or not.

But I guess I wouldn’t complain. Only the top students, the most powerful athletes, the ones destined for something more, ever got pulled into the Sphinx.

The guy standing closest to me shifted, stepping closer. His voice came low, muffled by the mask, but I recognized the tone. It was Charlie, the basketball captain. A smirk crept up on my lips, picturing the curly-haired, six-foot-seven, gangly looking redhead. If this was a real kidnapping, I’d never be able to take them seriously once he pulled off his mask and I saw that face. “Welcome to the Sphinx, Davis,” he said, trying to sound commanding and mysterious.

“If this was an invite, you could’ve skipped the whole ‘bag over the head and tie me up’ thing. A simple ‘you’re invited’ would have done the trick,” I drawled, drawing a few chuckles as someone finally undid the bindings. I gritted my teeth as I massaged my wrists. This was going to be fun for my game today.

Footsteps echoed against the stone walls behind me. I shifted, glancing over my shoulder, and saw three more inductees being dragged into the room, their heads covered with burlap sacks similar to the one that had been yanked over mine earlier.

The masked figures holding them wore the same masks, and they were all struggling not to get beat up by the guys they were dragging.

One of the guys was putting up quite a fight, jerking against the hands that held him, shouting curses that, even muffled, were unmistakably…creative.

“I’m going to kill you, ya back-alley hillbillies. I’ll fuck your mom and make you call me daddy! I am not going to be kidnapped by a bunch of wannabe Halloween decorations!”

I snorted. Jace. Only Jace…

Did that mean one of the others was…

The guys were all dropped to the ground, their bags ripped off, revealing Jace, Matty, and some other guy I’d never seen before.

Jace grinned scarily and pointed a finger at one of the masked figures that had been holding him. “I’m coming for you,” he mouthed, and the guy shrank back, hiding behind some of the other Sphinx members. Jace winked at me afterward, like he’d known I’d be here all along.

Matty just looked pissed, glaring around the room like he wanted to burn it all down.

The room suddenly grew completely silent, and the masked men parted, another figure stepping out in front of them all. This one was the leader judging by the fancy, gold-etched mask he was wearing. His voice, amplified by some kind of distortion device he was using, cut through the air with all the resonant authority and mystery thatCharliehad been going for earlier. I had no idea who this guy was.

“Welcome to the Sphinx,” he began, his gaze sweeping over us, the new initiates. “If you make it in, you will gain access to an organization that boasts the most powerful figures in the world. Politicians, captains of industry, even those who move the unseen levers of power—every door will be open to you.”

The four of us shifted, his words settling over us. I could feel the change in the air, the anticipation mixed with an underlying current of uncertainty. The promise was definitely alluring.

The leader continued, his voice deep and deliberate. “Over the course of the next year, you will be tested. You’ll have to prove that you are worthy of standing in our midst, of bearing the mark of the Sphinx…failing any one of these tests would be the single greatest regret of your lives…” He paused for dramatic effect, blank green eyes staring at us from behind the mask. “The three tests will happen to each of you at different times, and when you least expect it. Those who complete their tests go on to become full Sphinx members at the end of the year. Good luck, Gentlemen.”

With thatwarmwelcome, he turned and left the room through a side door I hadn’t noticed before. Charlie was up again then, this time holding a gold chalice covered with a ton of diamonds and rubies. Those were fake, right? Because that was averyexpensive looking cup.

It was the knife he pulled out of his robes, though, that really got my attention. His voice echoed through the chamber. “To prove your commitment, you will offer your blood. Your first sacrifice to the Sphinx.”

I watched as he moved to the first initiate, the one I didn’t recognize, and handed him the knife. He took it, wincing as he sliced a shallow cut across his palm, crimson drops splattering into the chalice.

I was next, and I took the knife, its hilt cool and heavy in my hand. I glanced down at my palm, flexing my fingers, knowing that any injury there could throw everything off for the game.

Somehow, I didn’t think they’d take that as an excuse, though.

I pressed the blade against my chest instead, just below my collarbone. The sting was immediate, a hot line of pain as I dug it into my skin. Blood welled up, warm and sticky, tracing a path down to my ribs.

I tilted forward, letting the blood drip into the chalice. The guy nodded, taking the knife from my hand and moving on to Jace and Matty.

And then it was done.

We were ushered up a set of stairs and out of a door, popping out onto the grass outside the Sphinx like newborn chicks.

---