Page 32 of The Kiss Of Death
“I told you to abort this fucking plan! They could have caught you!” Tara screamed at her sister.
“You told her?” It was my turn to scream.
“Yes, I didn’t have a choice. She threatened to call our parents and make my life miserable for the rest of the year.”
“If you’ll excuse me.” Tara pounced on a hapless first-year Tactician, seizing his flag before shoving him away, then she swiftly rejoined us. “I’m here to help you because you’ll fail without me. You look like puppies lost in an arena full of hyenas.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why would you help us?”
“Because, newbie,” Tara began, a touch of scorn lacing her words, “I loathe Levi, and I relish the idea of teaching him a lesson. Plus, that wig does absolutely nothing for your appearance. Second, I’m going to win, and capturing a few Tacticians would significantly help my cause. And third—” She turned her steely gaze toward her sister. “I’m here to protect you, again, thanks to your questionable friendship decisions.”
Yasmine crossed her arms defiantly. “I told you not to intervene.”
Tara gave her sister’s head a condescending pat. “You don’t get to tell me anything, little sis. I know how to mince my way to their dormitories while avoiding all the camera angles, and before you ask…” Tara’s gaze drilled into mine. “We used to do it here. Levi can be quite a savage when he’s not the spectator.”
Her laughter washed over me, and my stomach tightened into a knot. I swallowed hard, trying to erase that unwanted mental image. Not that I cared; for all I knew, they seemed perfectly fitted for each other.
“Follow me,” Tara commanded. “Or I’ll call the Tacticians on you. It’s your choice.”
Reluctantly, we had no choice but to follow Tara, who cat-walked as if she owned the Tacticians’ grounds. She oozed confidence so easily. We crossed the high, narrow bridge linking the Tactician and Sciences buildings. Its ancient stone arches loomed above the courtyard below, and with only the stars for witness, we reached the entrance of their dorms on the turrets. No one was guarding their territory. It sounded fishy for someone like the Tacticians.
Tara gestured to the left. “It’s right there.”
We tiptoed inside their common room, shutting the door softly behind us, remaining in the darkness.
“I can’t believe we did it,” Yasmine cheered in a failed whisper. “I thought we were about to die out there, but we made it!”
It was too easy. I had a bad feeling about this.
“Yas, something is not quite right.”
“Who cares!”
I stumbled along the walls until I reached the breaker panel box, then switched off the power.
“Let’s find a place to hide now,” Yasmine said.
Suddenly, a sharp clap pierced the darkness, and the eerie glow of a smartphone illuminated our surroundings. In the gloom, Levi was draped in shadows, sitting arrogantly in a chair, applauding our efforts with a mocking sneer.
“I’m impressed, little thief.” Levi’s voice was like velvet, soft to the ears yet laced with lethal intent. “Your dedication to foiling my plans was quite entertaining to watch.”
My nails dug into my palm. “You knew.”
“Let’s go, Yasmine.” Tara yanked Yas by the arm, dragging her out of the room.
“I’m not leaving Dalia here! Dalia, let’s go. We can still escape!”
“Two Tacticians are hiding by the Guardians’ pools—names are Paul and Michel. You’re welcome, Tara. Take your sister and leave,as we agreed.”
Yas’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Tara, you tricked us!”
Tara silenced her with a stern command. “Shut up and follow me.”
“No, I’m staying with—”
“No, Yasmine, it’s okay,” I said. “I’ll feel better if I know you’re safe. I’ll be fine.”
Tara propelled Yas out of the room, and the door slammed shut behind them. Tara might have betrayed us, but I understood why she did it. Yasmine was her sister. She didwhat was best for her, which proved she wasn’t half the monster Levi had turned into. He had sewn a hateful personality upon himself, destined to make everyone hate him.
