Page 8 of His To Claim

Kai’s eyebrows furrow as rage takes over his playful expression. “It’s just Saint,” he sneers, correcting him, having chosen to drop his father’s last name when he arrived at the Grayson’s.

That causes the tension in the room to rise, the earlier feelings of confusion now shifting to anger. “Of course, Mr. Saint. As I was saying, we lack diversity. We accept nothing but the best. The children of the wealthiest, most influential people in the country walk our halls but it’s not enough.”

“So, what do you want from us?” I blurt out, causing both men to look in my direction. I immediately regret it the moment Agent Servite’s lips curve up into a sinister grin.

“That is the burning question, is it not, Miss Steele?” Agent Servite says smirking at me.

“What we want is for the six of you to attend our academy,” Warren adds, interrupting his brother and causing the six of us to laugh hysterically.

Drake is the first to speak. “This must be some kind of sick joke.”

Warren’s lips form a tight line as he glares at us clearly offended by our laughing. “I see how this may sound comical, but I assure you it’s no joke, Mr. Drake. We have implemented a new program at Servite Academy to help the troubled youth in our surrounding neighborhoods. The six of you will be the first students to join this program.”

“You mean guinea pigs,” Ruby scoffs nonchalantly, rolling her eyes at the two men before us.

Both their eyes glaze over with some sick desire as they shift their attention to Ruby. “In a sense, Miss Drake, but I assure you that you will all have an equal opportunity to make something of yourselves and get out of this mediocre town. The students and faculty of Servite Academy are eager for you to join our school.”

“That’ll be a hard pass, sir,” Drake says, standing up from his seat beside me, but not releasing his hold on my shoulder. “We may be poor orphans, troubled, or whatever you want to call us, but make no mistake. We won’t be pushed around by a bunch of privileged jackasses and prissy beauty queens. We’ve seen the type of kids that go to your academy sneaking into Pleasant Hills when they feel like causing a little trouble. We’ll be no part of that.”

Agent Servite grins, as he leaves his place leaning against the wall of the hallway and moves over to stand beside his brother placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I understand your reluctance, Mr. Drake, but I think my brother here may not have made himself clear. You are mistaking his words. The six of youwillattend Servite Academy effective immediately. As of today, this foster home has now become a place for children under the age of sixteen. The six of you have outgrown your stay here and therefore will move into one of Servite Academy’s boarding houses. We shall give you thirty minutes to gather your belongings as I will escort you to Servite Academy, today.”

Just as he finishes speaking, three men carrying two suitcases each, enter the living room placing them in a row in front of us.

“Thank you for your time, kids, and I look forward to seeing you all around the halls of my school,” Warren says, as he gets up and heads toward the front door, Grayson and Sarah following closely behind him.

The six of us eye Agent Servite who casually takes a seat where his brother just was eyeing warningly. “What are you waiting for? I said we would leave in thirty minutes.”

We all reluctantly get up and head upstairs to our rooms topack up for the inevitable. We’re going to Servite Academy, whether or not we like it.

“This is bullshit!” Jade hisses as we enter our bedroom, slamming the door against the wall and making it vibrate violently on its hinges. “They can’t honestly think we are going to go through with this.”

Although I one hundred percent agree with her, I know there’s no point in fighting their decision. “You heard the asshole. We can’t stay here anymore. Where else are we going to go Jade? We’re seventeen, still property of the state as far as they’re concerned,” I mutter back to her, resigned to our new fate.

Jade crosses her hands over her chest and frowns when I pick up the suitcase and throw it on my bed, pulling my clothes out of my drawers. “We can’t go live in a place like that with spoiled rich kids who think the world owes them everything and they owe it nothing,” she says, refusing to pack her own things.

Ruby opens the door and walks straight in toward her side of the room not bothering to acknowledge us. “I don’t get why you bitches are complaining. A new home in Hillcrest Hills. Going to school along with the country’s wealthiest teens. It’s a dream come true.” Jade and I eye her warily as she sits back on her bed with her arms folded against her chest and glares in our direction.

Jade scoffs, not able to bite her tongue and ignore her. “You say that as if they’d accept you, Dragon Bitch,” she spits out, calling Ruby by her nickname. Damon and Ruby Drake, i.e., the Dragon Twins, or how we like to call her,Dragon Bitch.

Ruby turns around rolling her eyes at Jade as she stands by her bedside with her hands on her hips. Her short black skirt fitting low on her hips and red crop top exposing the entirety of her toned, flat stomach.

Ruby is every man’s dream come to life. Legs for days, a perky ass, a rack any girl would die for, jet black hair down to her lower back, almond eyes a beautiful shade emerald green, and a feisty attitude to match all the fire flowing inside of her. ThisDragon is the embodiment of fire. If only her personality matched her physique. Ruby is a bitch if I’ve ever known one - manipulative, narcissistic, and downright mean. She’d give Lilith a run for her money any day, yet somehow, we’re one and the same.

“Not all of us are trash like the two of you,” Ruby sneers, lowering her eyes in annoyance.

“Says the orphaned whore,” I blurt out, almost regretting it instantly. Almost.

But Ruby keeps her composure, not letting her anger at my comment show. “That’s a low blow, Scarlett, even for you. Might I remind you we’re all orphans here.”

My anger boils to the surface, not only from the way she’s acting, but from this whole fucked up situation. “Yeah, but luckily we aren’t all whores.”

Jade laughs at my comment as Ruby picks up the suitcase and begins emptying her drawers into it. “Whatever. The two of you can sit here all day laying out reasons we don’t belong there but whether or not you like it, we’re going, and I’m making the most of it.”

At that, the door opens, and the three guys come barging in. “So, are we making a break for it or what?” Jaxon says as he walks in and stalks over toward Ruby’s side.

Jaxon’s dark brown hair, big hazel eyes, and slight stubble on his angular jawline make him look older than he is. All the guys look older. I guess it’s just what happens when you grow up in this environment. The hard life has a way of sucking the life right out of you.

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