Page 41 of Bitter Rivals (Bitterwood Elites)

EIGHTEEN

Remi

A kaleidoscope of emotions tumbles about inside of me as I dash from Professor Vaughn’s hidden office. On the one hand, I’m over the moon because I managed to procure something I guarantee no other student has. On the other, it came at the great personal sacrifice of my pride—the very thing I’m convinced Principal Windsor is trying to strip us of. To make matters worse, I have no idea what this key even goes to, but it’s something big.

I can feel it in my bones.

Turning left, I look back toward the stairs, dreading having to jump back, when a noise behind me sounds. It’s the hidden panel swishing open as Professor Vaughn steps back out. He doesn’t say anything to me, just saunters down the hallway in the opposite direction. Nearing the end, I stare, wondering what he’s doing—there’s nowhere for him to go—when he swipes his hand over the wall, and yet another hidden door swings open.

The dark-haired devil looks over his shoulder at me, winking, before disappearing. Instinctively, I dash after him, barely making it through the doorway before the secret panel slides shut. I blink in surprise and relief to find a staircase. Nibbling my lip, I slowly descend—the only option—wondering if Professor Vaughn meant for me to follow him or not.

Either way, it helps me.

The concealed steps spit me out onto the first floor just as the man operating the hidden panels disappears from view. I watch him walk away towards the entrance of Bitterwood, and I wait a moment. Some students pass between where I’m at in the corridor and between the main stairs that lead to the dorm rooms. Looks of desperation are stamped into their features, and I know their “hunt” has been unsuccessful.

They don’t have much time left...

As if on cue, the same bell from before chimes, signaling the end of the scavenger hunt. The crackle of a speaker sounds before the cursed voice of Principal Windsor loudly booms throughout the school. “Time! Everyone immediately return inside and go to the showers. I repeat—immediately stop what you’re doing and get cleaned up. You have five minutes to be naked and under the spray if you don’t want to suffer the consequences!”

His words send panic skittering down my spine as I sprint forward. Students dash left and right, scampering to get to the showers before they can get into trouble. Recalling my last punishment, I have no interest in earning another—no matter how much I secretly enjoyed it. The thought reminds me of what just happened in Professor Vaughn’s office, and my stomach flips with the taste of him still lingering in my mouth. The man is a dual-edged sword—I love and hate what he does to my body—and only a fool would risk being cut to pieces for pleasure.

Bodies press against me, shoving to get ahead. Being small has its perks, and I curl forward as I barrel on. It isn’t until I step onto the tiled floor of the showers that I let out a sigh of relief and notice the wetness on my exposed arm. Glancing down, my eyes widen in shock at a bright red streak on my tanned skin that I’m certain isn’t from me.

Blood.

Blinking, I gaze around at the handful of students already in the showers and those now entering. Some are like me—not a scratch in sight—but others look like they were thrown back inside The Pit from our first night here at Bitterwood. A guard I didn’t see prods my back, gesturing with his baton at my clothes. Numbly, I slide off my tennis shoes followed by my shorts and tank top. Now only in my underwear and bra, I belatedly recall my prize.

Not wanting anyone to see it, I debate on what to do. Bitterwood has made us all vicious enough that I don’t doubt someone will try to take it from me—especially given my small size. Everyone thinks I’m a pushover, and the guards will turn a blind eye to any violence. Hell, the assholes might even partake in it! I absolutely cannot let anyone see the key. Looking around, I acknowledge my options are limited. I could try hiding it in my clothes. The only other place is...

Inside of me.

Given everything that’s occurred at this nightmare of a school, it’s not the worst thing to contemplate or even do, but fuck me if I don’t really want to shove a key up my vagina. Another nudge from the man behind me whips me into action as I bend forward and slowly inch my underwear down my legs, my ass on full display for the guard. I glance over my shoulder and notice his gaze glued to my now exposed pussy.

I dip my left hand down, dancing it between my thighs in a teasing manner that makes the guard’s jaw go slack. Trying not to smile, I put on a show better than the one I just did in Professor Vaughn’s office, all the while stealthily pulling the key from my bra and down the front of me. I kick off my panties in the direction of the man watching me, but send them sailing behind the man, who turns to pick them up.

In a second, I shove the key—ornate handle first—deep inside of me. A grimace twists my lips as I quickly try to look seductive while the guard pockets my underwear.What a pig.Thankfully, his phone vibrates, distracting him from my now naked form as I take off my bra. He spies some new students who are still clothed and walks off to address them, but not before winking at me first.

Great.

Another asshole fan from Bitterwood.

I seem to be collecting them, but it’s allowed me to secure my key—albeit awkwardly. Waddling over to an empty shower stall, I swear I must look like someone doing a penguin impression. Luckily, no one is looking at me. The guards are too busy ushering in students, scooping up our dirty clothing—thank God I didn’t hide the key there—and laying out new clothes for us to change into.

The cold spray brings me back to my first night at Bitterwood, and I shiver more from the memory than the freezing liquid sluicing over me. My gaze bounces to students entering the showers and those already getting cleaned up. The collective drain in the center of the room swirls with red and brown water from the numerous bloodied wounds and filthy bodies.What the hell happened?I see Bianca walk over to a shower head nearby, her gaze distant and blank.

Although my pride took a blow, I can’t say I’m traumatized from sucking my roommate’s boyfriend’s cock. Bianca, on the other hand, looks like her very soul has been sucked out of her body. Our eyes meet, and I flinch from the emptiness in her brown depths. Looking away, a blond head snags my attention. It’s Cashel with his shadow, Bentley. Both look like Bianca, worse for wear, almost mechanically undressing and getting under the water to wash.

Another guard, the woman from the first night who got a little too touchy-feely for my liking, clears her throat, leering at me suggestively. I realize that I’m just standing under the frigid water, thighs clenched tightly together. Gathering some soap, I lather it over my body, everywhere but my hair, which is still pulled into a ponytail. Cashel and Bentley take the shower next to me, sharing.

At first, I find this bizarre, until I notice they’re hiding something between their two bodies. Obviously, they found something of value on the scavenger hunt and don’t want anyone to take it. Snorting under my breath, I pity anyone who thinks to try. Cashel looks… unhinged. Suddenly, the female guard is pulling me away, and I innately start to fight before I remember the key. Swearing under my breath, I force my body to go lax except for my inner muscles. I let the woman tug me forward, where a new pile of clothes waits for me.

“Do I get a towel?”

I ask this with more sass than intended, and wonder if perhaps my time with Professor Vaughn wasn’t the most constructive—the man let me think I have more control than I do, a very dangerous thing indeed. In answer, the guard sneers, her eyes trailing up and down my naked, shivering form. “If you want to get dry—shake like a fucking dog.”

Her words are meant to be derogatory, treating me like an animal, but I know she would love nothing more than to see me try. Ignoring the bitch, I pull on the familiar white button-down blouse and plaid skirt—no bra or underwear this time. I wait until the female guard turns to another student before fishing out the key and dropping it into my right shoe, which I quickly stuff my foot inside.

From the corner of my eye, Bentley and Cashel have finished washing and are coming over to stand by me. I move to get away from them, and out of the showers, which are now full of students trying to press in and avoid punishment, when I catch sight of what the two boys are hiding. It’s a small black box, but I’m close enough to notice the pattern stamped decoratively on the outside—it’s the same as the pattern on the handle of my golden key—and Iknow.

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