Page 24 of His To Claim

Walking over to the bed, I unzip the bag revealing the wretched Servite Academy uniform. I can’t believe we have to wear an actual uniform. The one good thing about public schools, no stupid uniforms. That, and well, no judgmental, entitled assholes either.

I slip into the uniform, which fits me perfectly, letting my wet hair fall down my back, but in the end choosing to tie it into a loose ponytail. It’s still the middle of summer, and I can imagine the heat will be unbearable in this getup. Stepping over to the full-length mirror hanging on the closet door, I hardly recognize myself in my reflection. The red and black plaid skirt stops right at the middle of my thigh, the white-collared blouse made of a thin, obviously expensive material fits me like a second skin, and the black blazer embroidered with a red and gold crest finishes this “perfect private prep-school chic” look everyone’s going for.

Looking closely at the red and gold crest on the right side of the blazer, I notice it’s not just the silhouette of a man, but a knight in armor riding a stallion. A horseman. Under it in gold embroidered lettering is a phrase I can’t quite understand.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

“It’s Latin,” Stella says, walking in with Ruby and Jade behind her. “If you wish for peace, prepare for war. School motto.”

All three of them stand at the entrance of my room, already dressed to impress in matching uniforms. Jade and Stella wear their hair pulled up into a high ponytail, while Ruby wears hers loose down her back.

“That’s morbid,” Jade says as she sits down on the corner of my bed.

“The knight isn’t your typical knight in shining armor. It’s a horseman - one of the four of the apocalypse, fromThe Book of Revelations. There are four. A conqueror mounted on a white horse, given a weapon and a crown as he rides out to conquer those unworthy. The horseman of war riding a red horse, giventhe ability to take peace and make men slay one another. The third riding a black horse, given the power to make those in poverty crumble. Or death, the last and most cutthroat rider aboard a pale horse. Given the most power. For he is the only one with the power to kill, to take, to destroy.”

We sit in silence, not quite understanding this biblical phenomenon Stella is describing.

“Alright that’s some twisted shit, Stella.” Jade speaks first, breaking us all out of the trance the story caused.

“I’m sorry, shit. It’s just some parents tell their children stories about thebogeymanto keep them from misbehaving. But not ours. Our twisted parents told us this story. About the Four Horsemen and the apocalypse, that was brought about by man himself.”

“Okay, not the way we would have wanted to start the first day of school, but good to know this school is on some next level bible shit,” Ruby says, walking toward the door.

“Okay, about that, we should go before we arrive later than we already are. The guys must be waiting outside.” I grab my new book bag from the desk beside my bed and throw it over my shoulders.

The school provided us with everything we’ll need, our textbooks of course will be in our new MacBooks and iPads. Apparently, there is no need for old school notebooks or paper anymore. Everything at Servite is electronic, technology, our new best friend. Makes it easier, I guess. No need to carry books.

As we walk into the living room and head to the front door, Stella stops us by the small counter in the kitchen.

“We won’t be able to make it to the dining hall for breakfast, so I got us all some granola and protein smoothies. I keep the fridge and pantry stocked just in case. I try to only go to the dining hall for lunch and usually bring my dinner to the room or order out. There are also some vendors on campus and a couple smoothie and juice bars along with four coffee shops. They’re all found inthe courtyard where the dining hall is. We’ll pass by it on our way to the assembly.” Stella hands us each a granola and smoothie cup.

“Wow,” I say, processing all she’s just told us. Everything she’s describing sounds more like a college campus than a high school.

“I usually only go into town on the weekends or to visit my aunt and uncle, but I don’t have a car at the moment.”

“Well, we don’t have any money, so I guess it’s the dining hall for us,” I answer as I reach for the door handle.

“Oh, which reminds me.” She pulls out three envelopes and a box from the shelf near the door. She hands us each an envelope and gives me the package.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“The envelopes contain your academy library and debit cards. The school is providing you guys with some spending money for necessities. It’s all part of the program that brought you here. As for the package, it arrived this morning or last night. It was outside when I woke up this morning.”

I tear open the box and pull out three new iPhones.

“What are these for?” I ask, holding up the phones.

“They must also be from the Headmaster. The students of Servite are some of the richest kids in the world. I’m sure they just want you guys to have the same opportunities. And cell phones are essential.”

“Well, don’t mind if I do.” Ruby snatches a phone from my hand and I hand one to Jade, shoving the third one into my bag.

Once we step out of the Dahlia House, we find Drake, Kai, and Jax waiting, all three of them looking way too good in their respective uniforms, which of course are not up to the dress code. Drake’s tattoos are peeking out over the unbuttoned collar of his shirt and he’s kept his lip and eyebrow piercings in place.

“Fuck, this is like a wet dream come to life. Four schoolgirls walking toward us in those sexy ass skirts and knee-high socks. Fuck me,” Jax says, causing us all except Ruby to scowl.

Ruby struts over to her man and gives him a little twirl before his arms wrap around her and he pulls her in for a sloppy kiss.

I walk over to Drake and adjust the tie that’s also loose tied around his neck. “Hey there, Dragon,” I murmur, leaning up to kiss his cheek. Seeing him dressed like this, I can’t help it. He looks damn good it should be fucking illegal. Drake licks his lips in response, his green eyes darkening as they trail over me.

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