Page 1 of Vile Heart

1

Traditions. As cursed as they were by most, they never failed to create a frenzy. And a frenzy might be nothing more but a string of rumours, but still. Who can stay away from rumours?

Everyone wants to be part of where it happens.

And it happens to be Cor Night at Sacrum Cor University, the biggest party of the year. So here they were, dressed up and excited. Students of Cor. Ready to see and be seen. Ready to hear and be heard.

Sure, the party was mandatory, but that wasn’t why they’d all come out. A presence could be faked, even with the way security scanned every multi-slate, identifying the party-goers.

Sure, Cor Night officially was a party to celebrate love. But all the students knew what really happened in the shadows.

A frenzy.

A chase.

A battle for power.

Cor Night was a massive party that lasted from night until morning. Promoted as a night of romance and celebration of love and friendship, it was more like an invitation to partake in debauchery and sin.

It was the night the Black Harts chose their red heart.

Camren swept past the line of waiting students to the double doors, aware that all eyes were on him. The excitement was palpable in the air, and students had recognized him before he could reach his guard with an impatient click of his tongue. “Andry.”

The burly guy who stood waiting by the entrance, looked up, his scowl transforming into a professional smile, followed by a quick dip of his chin. He’d been in service of the family for as long as Camren knew. “Mister Ryka.”

Camren tipped his head to the foyer. “And?”

“He arrived about half an hour ago. Came in with his cousin.”

Camren gritted his teeth. “Cousin? He came with Jaro? No one else?”

Andry shook his head. “Just the two of them.”

“Did he—” Camren stopped himself.How did he look?He was going to find out shortly. “Good. What time do you finish?”

“In an hour, sir.”

“Come and find me.”

“Absolutely.” Andry hesitated. “I’m sorry about what happened earlier, in the embassy. We’re doing all we can to make the Helion population calm down.”

“Thank you.” Camren repositioned the cuff of his dark crimson uniform jacket. Even during events like this one, every student wore the same outfit, though they were allowed to wear whatever colour shirt they liked beneath it for Cor Night. Which was black for Camren. He looked good in black. It made his tall posture and slick, black hair drip into one splash of ink, the gaze in his almond eyes even sharper as he peered inside the foyer.

Andry pinned the black heart to his chest. In the center, a red light glowed, the illumination matching the bright specks on the others. They’d recognize him for who he was. A Black Hart.

Their worst nightmare.

“I’ll see you soon, Mister Ryka. Have a good night.”

“Have a goodfight, you mean,” Camren muttered to himself as he stepped inside the party. Light knew he could use one.

Tonight, he felt on edge, caused by a mixture of worry and anticipation. By a desire to claim back what had managed to creep out of his life the moment he’d been vulnerable. Camren balled his fists, feeling adrenaline pumping through his veins. That idiot of a cousin Zavy would do.

He looked up at the railing of the foyer, a wolfish grin sliding across his face when he spotted his friends. A grin that turned into a full-blown smile at Ilya’s scowl as he peered down at the wave of students that came in. Someone was unhappy about being here tonight. Next to him stood Ryker and Devyn, whose red eyes flashed as he took in the view.

“Drink first,” he muttered to himself. They’d have to wait.

Making his way through the foyer and into the large room that hosted the party tonight, Camren headed for the bar. He ignored the prying gazes that followed his every movement and leaned in to get the barman’s attention. The drink gave him the much-needed time to relax.

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