Page 5 of Wicked Games

Felix’s beaming smile is the last thing I see before Jace slams the door closed.

2

FELIX

I’m just tossingmy suitcase onto my new bed when my phone chimes with a notification.

I pull it out of my hoodie pocket and check my texts.

Eden: is the coast clear?

Felix: for now

Felix: are you on your way over?

Eden: almost at the main gate

Felix: be right down

Tucking my phone away, I hurry down to the lobby and find my best and only friend waiting for me on the front steps.

“Hey,” I greet and hold the door open for her.

“Hey.” She swipes her student ID on the censor so the system can log her into the house as a guest and steps inside.

The security at the house is extensive. Everyone who steps over the threshold has to log their ID into the system when they come in and again when they leave.

“Is the gate open?” I ask.

The building is surrounded by a tall stone fence with a massive and ornate wrought iron gate that can be closed for extra security, and it’s not uncommon for people’s IDs to getrejected when they try to get through it if they’re not on the preapproved list of allowed guests. I submitted Eden’s name this morning, but I have no idea if she was already on the list or not since her older stepbrother is one of the frat leaders.

“No, but I didn’t have any trouble getting in.” She glances around as we cut through the main lobby and head toward the elevators. “Jesus. And here I thought Belmont was fancy.”

“It’s a lot,” I agree, keeping my voice low.

A few of the guys milling around give us weird looks. I assume they’re reacting to us being in the lobby and not what Eden said, but her cheeks go pink and she falls silent.

We don’t talk at all as I lead her to Killian’s room, and she visibly relaxes when I close the door behind us.

“Well damn,” she says, looking around. “This is definitely an upgrade from Sturges House.”

“Is it really?” I point to Killian’s side of the room. “I didn’t have to deal withhimat Sturges.”

“Yeah, that part sucks,” she agrees. “But this building is insane. So is this room.”

“It is,” I say grudgingly.

My old dorm had a similar setup, with two single beds, two dressers, and some storage, but no private bathroom. This room is also at least four times the size and a far cry from the sleek and modern building I just moved from.

Hamilton House is one of the oldest buildings on campus, and instead of everything being bright and shiny and monochrome like in the newer builds, the entire place has an old-timey Gothic Victorian look that gives it a unique vibe from pretty much every other building on campus except the main house, which I’ve heard is even more extra and ridiculous.

Walking through the halls is like stepping through a time machine and coming out in a Bram Stoker novel, and if I wasn’t so pissed off at being forced to room with my stepbrother, I’dprobably be able to appreciate the history and architecture of the place.

It’s exactly the kind of dorm I’d expect for the members of a century old secret society that pretends to be a fraternity.

The craziest part is even though the frat has been around since the school was founded, no one knows anything about it, and that includes its real name. We know them as the Rebels, but they have an official name that’s top secret. Members aren’t even allowed to tell their spouses or non-member kids what it is without risking expulsion. And no one wants to risk being kicked out of one of the most powerful societies in the world.

Eden jumps up on the bed and leans back on her hands, kicking her feet absently as she glances at Killian’s side of the room. “How’s dear stepbrother taking this change in living arrangements?”

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