Page 37 of Hysteria Rises
“Is that right?” Arrow’s father tips his head to the side, questioning.
I don’t even hear what Malakai says—because I’ve tuned out in an attempt at calming myself. My gaze, instead, drifts to the bandage on my arm. They’ve carefully dressed the tattoo ever since the day I was branded. I’ve studiously ignored it. I didn’t want toknow. I still don’t. My teeth grind. I’m like nothing more than a prize cow.
“Twenty-three, you’ve been accused of leading Arrow into temptation.” Kiefer is in my face all at once, snapping his fingers. I almost come out of my skin, shock registering. “Do you deny it?”
I stare at him. “What?”
“Twenty-three. Do. You. Deny it?”
Oh my god.I’mTwenty-three.
TWENTY
HAYZE
Oh fuck.Arrow’s face has gone pale. I glance at Cross. Neither of us knows if there’s any truth to this.But— I blink. I can’t fucking imagine after the night I claimed Twenty-three that she’d actively tempt Arrow like they’re accusing her of. It simply doesn’t fit. My gaze shifts, studying every stubborn inch of her expressive face. She refuses to speak, and her anger permeates the entire room.
Our eyes connect, and all at once, I’m assaulted by memories of the way she’d shaken and cried out for me. Of the pretty pink color still high on her cheeks as I slid from her body, spent. And of the intense hatred she’d spewed following the act. The spilling of my seed inside her—for me, it’d been mind-altering. For her, possibly the same, but I suspect for different reasons.
This isn’t the time for it, but I begin to grow hard as my gaze roves over Twenty-three again. She’s dressed in a shift that covers her to the middle of her thigh,hair a bit wild from her attempt at escape. It’s tangled in a knot on top of her head, wispy pieces framing her delicate features. Would she have actively attempted to seduce Arrow? I think that’s the right word.
Inwardly, I groan because I doubt that’s how it happened. It’s way more fucking likely that whatever transpired between her and Arrow had everything to do with him. I’ve known my friend since birth, and he’s been absorbed by the idea of Twenty-three from the moment she stumbled into our lives. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to let him handle checking on her during the night. But why would the Collective claim she is at fault?
“Arrow,” Henry’s deep voice booms, jarring me from my thoughts. “Tell us the truth. Now.” Arrow’s father has grown red in the face. He’s an interesting cross between anger and embarrassment. I’ve never fucking seen him like this. It’s unsettling. Then again, I can’t remember a time when Arrow has ever stepped out of line.
My friend shifts on his feet, catching the back of his neck with one hand. He tugs on it, as if pained, then slowly nods. His voice is rough as his truth tumbles forth. “I was there to look in on her. I—” His swallow is audible as he turns his head, glancing down upon Twenty-three’s blonde knot of hair. “I could not help myself.”
“Let me be sure we have this right.” Henry runs his hand down the bottom portion of his lightly bearded face. “Son, you’re saying you engaged in sexualintercourse outside the established parameters. You were unable to resist her advances.”
The girl glances up, eyes wide. She wets her lips, pursing them, but remains silent. Interesting. I can see the cogs of a complex machine turning in her head—like the ones I’ve only studied in books. My best guess is she’s trying to decipher how our commune is run and what her best course of action might be. That’d be the smart thing to do, anyway. It’s whatI’ddo.
Kiefer gives a definitive nod, pointing at her. “Shedid, in fact, trick him into participating in acts we reserve for the most sacred of times. Devious little cunt.”
I sense that things are about to go south before Twenty-three even opens her mouth. She takes a deep breath, glaring. “I wasasleep,you fucking dickhead.” Her chin tips upward, eyes narrowing as she scans the room, then makes eye contact with Arrow. “I didn’t?—”
“Be quiet!” Henry thunders. “You invited my son into that cell with you.” A vein pops out on his forehead. “He will pay for his lack of control.”
Eyes wild, she shakes her head. “But there were?—”
Before she can finish, Kiefer has closed in, his hand on her throat, fingers squeezing. “Not another lying word from your mouth.”
Seemingly in disbelief over this entire debacle, Nolan shakes his head. “Let’s get on with this. Arrow’s admitted what he’s done and that he knew it was wrong. He must accept the consequences. AndTwenty-three not only was instrumental in creating this problem, but she ran. She will be punished as well. Are we in agreement?”
There’s a low rumble of approval, to which I tersely nod.Where thefuckis my father?
Fiery blue eyes practically bleed panic as they find mine, pleading. She quickly shakes her head. “No. I didn’t run. I was told?—”
“Don’t make things worse.” Henry chuckles softly. “If you hadn’t chosen to fight us at every turn, you’d know the way of the compound by now. Instead, you rebel. You are worth nothing to us like this. And who knows what you did to trick Arrow and lead him down this path.” He nods. “Now my son will pay for your wickedness.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” Twenty-three boldly mutters, lifting her head, eyes blazing with hatred. “The entire group of you. Absolutely off-your-goddamn-rockersinsane.”
“Watch your mouth, girl,” Kiefer growls, his voice lethal. “You speak with a fearless tongue. You’d do well to rethink that.”
Her face morphs from indignation to fear in a split second, and she sucks in a breath, eyeing him warily.
Nolan glances between them, then slices a hand through the air. “Enough. I think it’s best if we proceed. Hayze, on your feet. Your father would have done the honors. Instead,youwill.”
From the startled look on Cross’s face, he isn’t any more aware than I am of what’s about to happen.Makes sense. Our fathers very seldom ask for our opinions, much less our participation. We do as we’re asked and mostly know what’s to be expected because our lives never veer too far from the beaten path. We’ve always been taught that it is through our obedience and steadfastness to our commune that we would later be granted full rights to our lives here.
