Page 21 of Saint

“Is there a member you have in mind then, new recruit?” the man asked Juri before West had a chance to answer Nix’s question.

Juri looked at the crowd, but it was obvious he was only pretending to be thinking. When his eyes locked with Nix’s they lingered, but West’s hand shifted on Nix’s neck, pulling him closer to his side. Ultimately, Juri ended up shaking his head.

“There isn’t,” he replied.

“A volunteer then,” the man’s voice rose up so that everyone packed into the room could hear.

“It’ll be more difficult for him to find someone,” Yejun said to Nix in a hushed tone, even though Nix still didn’t entirely understand what was going on. “Since he grew up in the Club and was Essential up until a couple years ago, not many will risk pissing off his parents or involving themselves in this.”

“What happens if he can’t find someone?” Nix asked, because even if he didn’t get it, it was obvious whatever was happening was important.

“He’ll be rejected as the sacrifice,” West jumped into the conversation,” and denied membership.”

Nix didn’t know much about Juri’s family aside from what he’d been told about Juri and his brother wanting nothing to do with the Club. His brother Joal had apparently been a Demon at the Roost when Lake and the others were Freshman, and the experience had been less than stellar for him. That’s what kicked off Juri denying his rights as a Legacy and, ultimately, being booted from the club in the first place.

He’d told Nix he was relieved to be free of it, yet here he was, throwing himself back to the wolves all to help Nix.

“Stop.” West gripped his neck when Nix made to take a step forward, the warning low but firm.

There was no way Nix was going to leave Juri hanging after his friend willingly put himself through this, and he openedhis mouth to say as much, but then a deep voice came from the crowd.

“I’ll do it.” There were mild gasps and whispers when Hendrix stepped forward. The man was old enough to be Juri’s father, and from the smug expression he aimed Lake’s way, it was clear he was only doing this in an attempt to irritate his nephew.

Unfortunately for him—and Juri—Lake didn’t give two shits about the sacrifice he’d just presented.

Juri seemed uncomfortable though, shifting on his feet, some of the bravado he’d been displaying up until now slipping. He paled some, though he held his ground and didn’t speak out against Hendrix’s offer.

Whatever this final test was, it had to be more complicated than placing your hand on a holo-pad and swearing allegiance in front of a crowd. Nix rattled his brain, collecting all the information he had on Essential and the things they stood for, but he couldn’t for the life of him guess what Hendrix and Juri were meant to do.

“Shit,” West swore.

“Doesn’t look like anyone is going to save him,” Yejun whispered, agreeing with West’s sentiment. “Poor bastard.”

West stared down at Nix, waiting until Nix tipped his head in silent question, and then swore again. His hand dropped from the back of his neck and he squared his shoulders.

“Dude,” Yejun’s tone was warning, but West was already stepping forward.

“Wait,” Beck’s voice rang from the crowd and everyone turned his way as he pushed past the throngs to the front, passing West’s other side. He stopped a few feet away from Juri. “I’ll do it.”

“I spoke first, son,” Hendrix said, but it was hard to tell if he was annoyed or ambivalent.

“Two offers,” the man running the ceremony announced. “Which will you choose, new recruit?”

Juri didn’t appear happy with either option, but he didn’t hesitate to point out Beck. “Him.”

Hendrix laughed and moved over to Beck, patting him on the back before leaning in. He whispered something that Nix couldn’t make out, something that had Beck bristling. The reaction only caused Hendrix to chuckle a second time, then he pulled away and winked at his son.

“The final test will take place now,” the older man stated, flinging an arm toward the stairwell Juri had descended earlier. “The test must be submitted by no later than noon tomorrow.”

“Understood,” Beck said, bowing his head once before he walked to Juri’s side and cautiously settled a hand on his elbow. “Are you ready?”

Juri’s lips pressed into a thin line and he didn’t say anything, instead heading for the steps. He took them with the same grace he had on the way down, Beck right behind him. No one spoke as they walked up, the silence deafening until the door at the top landing shut behind them, apparently putting an end to the ceremony.

There was a round of applause which left Nix feeling perplexed. He looked around at the cheering faces hidden behind their glittering masks and wondered what the actual fuck he’d gotten himself into.

This was more like the chaotic nonsense he’d always imagined the upper elite to take part in. The mindless excess and pointless gatherings. Members stopped clapping in waves, turning to each other to start making out right then and there.

“Let’s go.” Suddenly Lake was at his side, stepping between him and Yejun. He placed a hand to Nix’s narrow back and guided him off to the side toward a small opening inthe room. It led to a narrow hallway that looped around and deposited them into a small dining area.

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