Page 22 of Wicked Games

Dear Carey,

It is with great pleasure that the Galileo Society extends to you an invitation to an exclusive gathering at our esteemed headquarters. We are always keeping a watchful eye on potential members, and we believe you possess the qualities required to join our society.

Please arrive at 4 Sutherland Drive at 8:15 on the 28thof September. Ensure your discretion in this matter, as we value secrecy above all else.

During your stay, our top-ranking members will conduct an interview to gauge if you are indeed a true candidate. If it is determined that you are destined to be one of us, we will provide you with insights into our society’s goals and principles. A formal initiation ceremony will then be held.

Should you accept our invitation and successfully pass the initiation, you will join a lineage of individuals dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom and the protection of ancient truths.

The dress code for the evening is casual, as we are far more interested in your mind than your appearance. All personal belongings, including electronic devices, shall be surrendered upon arrival, and they will be returned to you at the end of the night.

If you accept our invitation, kindly confirm your attendance by the 24thof September via this email address: [email protected].

We eagerly anticipate your response.

Yours in secrecy,

The Galileo Society

“Definitely a prank,” April said, nodding emphatically. “I’ve never heard of a secret society at Babylon.”

“I have,” Brooke said. She raised her brows and leaned forward, lowering her voice. “My mom was a student here back in the early 90s. She said there was a secret society that ended up getting banned by the administration. Apparently they were doing all sorts of crazy shit.”

“Seriously?”

“Yup.”

“But you said it’s gone, right?”

Zach lifted a hand. “If it’s asecretsociety, how can the school really ban it? They can say it’s not allowed, but realistically, they can’t stop it. Not if all the members are good secret-keepers.”

April nodded slowly. “Fair point.”

“Also,” Zach went on. “If it’s a prank, what’s the point of it? I don’t get it.”

“Maybe it’s Maverick. Or Hudson,” I said, stomach flipping. “Trying to lure us all somewhere to mess with us.”

“I don’t think so, because we aren’t the only people who received these invitations,” Brooke said.

I frowned. “You saw other people get them?”

“Yes. I got mine in first period math, and I saw Courteney Phang get one at the same time. I’m pretty sure Evan Holt got one too, but it was hard to tell because there was so much shit on his desk.”

“Hudson wouldn’t have any reason to mess with Courteney or Evan,” Zach said, brows furrowing. “I don’t think Maverick would either. So I really don’t think it’s a prank designed to fuck with us.”

“Okay, but if it’s real, why didweget invited?” I asked, forehead wrinkling. “Out of anyone in the school, why us? And why Courteney and Evan?”

“Well, it sounds like they’re looking for smart people, given that line about being interested in our minds over our appearances,” Brooke replied. “And not to brag, but I’m number one in chem. Also, I remember something about Courteney being good at geography. Or maybe it was geology. Something like that.”

April sat up straight, face brightening. “That must be it!” she said. “I’m top of the class in trig. And Carey, you’re really good at coding and robotics. You’re probably at the top of that class, right?”

“Er, honestly… I didn’t know we could check class rankings,” I admitted.

“I bet you’re number one. That would explain it. The society wants the smartest students.”

Zach sighed and looked at the ground. “I’m not number one in anything.”

“But you’re so good at history. You always get the best marks there.”

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