Page 56 of Vengeful

The rain was falling heavier by the time we reached our destination.

The black clouds matched the mood inside the bus.

No one spoke. I wouldn't have been surprised if no one breathed.

Everyone was on edge, even Slade, and little seemed to ruffle him. Believing in me was one thing, having nerves on my behalf was another. He was pretty good at hiding them, but the set of his mouth and the tension in his body gave him away.

Any other time, I would have knelt down in front of him and taken his tension away with my mouth on his cock. I’d do it in front of everyone. I didn't give a shit.

Today, that would have to wait.

The bus drew up in front of the gate I remembered all too well. One of the women tried to escape, only to be thrown off the electric fence. Hades and Brutus had laughed.

Assholes.

I curled my hands into fists so tight my nails dug into my palms.

The gate grated open wide enough to let the bus pass through. It slid closed behind us with a final clang. Shutting usin. There was no way out now, only through. My blood turned to ice.

We rattled to a stop beside the big shed.

The driver turned off the engine, leaving us in silence that drew out for an eternity.

Several of the school board stood outside the shed, umbrellas shielding them from the rain. I couldn't make out my father or Reuben, but Frankie Young stood near Joshua. He must be here representing his brothers again. Or he was trying to get Frankie's attention. If that was his goal, he didn't seem to be succeeding. Her face and body were angled away from him. His mouth was tight, suggesting he'd noticed.

Whatever, none of that was my problem.

"Let's go." Slade rose and drew me along behind him as we shuffled off the bus.

We stepped out into the rain. No one offered us an umbrella.

My gaze went over to the dam, where Hades almost drowned Danica, trying to make a point.

"Let's make our way inside," one of the teachers instructed. Jason Pang was an older man with almost entirely grey hair. He was the one who herded us onto the bus before climbing up behind us. He seemed to be in charge of today's trials.

Inside, the shed was completely devoid of any signs women were kept here. The foldout beds were gone, along with the towels and sheets.

The place still gave me the shivers.

"I'll ask the staff and board members to step back against the wall," Pang ordered. "Students stand in a circle. Place your hands behind your backs."

We all moved to do as we were told. Several of the students muttered and exchanged glances. So far, none of this was what we were told to expect. One or two didn't looksurprised, suggesting they also hacked the Academy servers for information.

That included Chloe and Zachary. And, I realised a moment later, Dane. None of that came as a shock, but I wondered who did the hacking. Hopefully not Kennedy. She didn't necessarily need to take my side, but I didn't want her to take Chloe's.

Another of the teachers pulled out handcuffs and moved around, placing them on our wrists, one by one.

"How are we supposed to do anything like this?" one of the students mumbled.

I wondered the same myself. The Academy files mentioned handcuffs, but not in detail. I glanced over to Slade. He looked like a solid wall of calm, which helped to settle my nerves somewhat. I'd feel better if I knew exactly where the twins were though. We'd seen no sign of them for hours.

Thunder rumbled outside, accompanied by a couple of flashes of lightning. The rain was heavier now.

"To the north of our location," Pang started, "there is a beach. All you need to do is reach that beach." He made it sound like nothing could be simpler. "Along the way, you'll find keys." His gaze scanned us all.

"When I give the word, you will begin your trials."

I caught Chloe's eyes and held them for a moment. Something passed between us.

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