Page 44 of Crown of Steel

We are the final ones. I eye Gaël and Louis as they wait for us to catch up.

In front of me, Régis stumbles on the final stairs, and while he probably won’t hurt himself should he trip, my hand is fast as it reaches out. I grab his neck to steady him. Not his shoulder, nor his arm. It’s his neck I claim. Because I can. He flinches at my touch, but is too proud to turn around.

“Ready?” Louis asks when we’ve all reached the concrete floors of the dungeon.

“Oui.” They both pull down plain, white masks that cover their entire faces, only to leave room for their eyes. We have other masks, smooth rubber that comes only down to our nose and leaves our mouths free for other tasks, but we won’t be wearing those tonight. No, tonight’s for the pupils to show their value.

Most of the brothers will be coming in black and white tonight. Watching them move forward, I squeeze my fingers alittle tighter around Régis’s silky neck, then pull him closer to my mouth.

“I hope you’ll like your mask. I had it made especially for you.” I mutter. Not able to resist, I unwrap the glove from my hand and pull my fingers back around his neck. He lets me. Its shape is slender, beautifully curved the way it dips toward his shoulders. Flesh warm, smooth. I wonder what he tastes like. I know what hesmellslike—of eucalyptus and burning wood, mixed with that unique scent that is Régis. And right now, of fear. It’s heady and thick, and I want to lap it up, savour its flavor and devour it all at once. I want to hunt, then bring him to a plush corner and have my way with him. His breath comes in strained puffs, and I’m not sure if he’s about to coil away like the skittish guy he is, or lash out like the naughty kitten he can be. He doesn’t do either, just stands there, and I’m a little disappointed. Though he’s right, now’s not the time to play. That doesn’t mean I can’t provoke him. Just a little. “You won’t need it tonight though.” When he still doesn’t react, I add, “Pupils don’t get to wear their masks, but brothers do. We can watch you, recognize you, question you, play with you… But you won’t get to return the favor. Not yet anyway.”

That makes him jerk his head. His lips are pinched and his eyes are large. But he still doesn’t fucking take the bait. Yes. He is afraid. But he’s too much of a stubborn, hotheaded little shit to admit such a thing to anyone.

“Good luck tonight,” I breathe. It comes out a little raspier than intended, but fuck me, he’s burning me up. With one gloved hand, I reposition the hood around his shoulder, my other fingers still viced around his neck. They don’t want to let go, it seems. “And enjoy the fucking, because there will be a lot of it.”

Nowthathas him reacting. He yanks his grip around my wrist. “Arthur, please.” Licking his lips, his eyes dart from me to the narrow hall behind me, to where the other disappeared to.My little stepbrother begging me for something? If that doesn’t harden my cock. Flaring my nostrils, I dip my head to look him in the eye.

“Yes?”

“You—I’ve never…” He splutters, then clears his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing against my silked hand. Hmm. I fuckingknewit. Mychatonis still a virgin. And while I usually stay the hell away from inexperienced dudes, the thought that I will be his first, has my cock throb behind my black briefs. “I didn’t mean—it’s just, you know—” Régis backpedals, but the harm’s already done.

Pulling him flush against my chest, I muse, “I told you not to worry, your big brother will protect you.”

Movement behind us has him flinch, before the look in his eyes turns hard again. He’s protecting himself, shutting everything and everyone off. That annoys me more than it should, and I squeeze his neck, forcing his attention back on me.

“Now, if you want to say something else, I suggest you make it quick.”

“Fuck you,” he spits.

“That will do. Now, let’s go.” Régis bristles at my words, eyes flaring with embarrassment, and rage, that I ignore. We’ll have more time for this later on. His disdain evaporates gradually when I pull up my white and golden mask and his eyes flutter when he takes me in. I know what I look like in that black cloak, because I see my reflection in him, but I know the effect of a mask is huge. Camouflage changes everything—even when you know the person. When you don’t recognize them anymore, everything is put in a different perspective.

Régis now thinks he knows what my mask looks like. But I like to keep my little stepbrother on edge, it will have a bigger effect on the surprise. He won’t see me coming until he’s already kneeling right by my feet.

Sliding my fingers from his neck to his nape, I push himforward and through the narrow hall. Behind us, more brothers ascend the stairs, their voices nothing more than a hushed whisper. The torches only offer a dim light, but it’s enough for the paintings at the wall to flicker, the portrayed people giving a gloomy glower as if they are about to walk out of their frame.

Régis obeys, taking the final steps toward where two other masked brothers are waiting. Their gazes land on my little stepbrother, then back to mine, followed by a little nod. When I let go of him, Régis doesn’t waver and the look he throws my way is one of anger before he is being set right next to the other pupils, who are already waiting, cloaked and visibly nervous. Right before I step inside the room, I dive into the shadows, where I change my mask and slip on my other glove. I’m now completely in black, exactly like the villain they want me to be.

Inside the room, my brothers are waiting, forming a line of silent anticipation. They watch me come closer, pass them slowly, as I make my way to the front, right beside the window, to where the Elder is already waiting. He dips his head in a greeting, a formality I return.

We don’t know who’s who, which is part of the allure of the brotherhood. No matter what we represent in the outside world, how powerful we are, how much money we invest and spend at the same time, these gatherings are mystical, anonymous nights with one theme—sex. And power, though to me, that comes in one. In one, erotic, package.

Someone rings a bell, all brothers are now here.

The door closes behind us.

Elder Jacques pounds his cane onto the floor with a loud boom. “Brothers. It’s time.”

Night has fallen and the dark stakes its claim, casting a nefarious energy over the woods. We listen to the dimming sounds of flapping bats as they make their way from the windows and back into the forest, where they linger in the twilight. Like always, the fire’s already crackling, the corners ofthe room decorated with plush cushions and torches. It’s nothing like the Atrium, but the anticipation that’s coiling in my stomach, doesn’t care.

“And what better way to start, then with another peaceful evening.” His dark, piercing eyes scan the room and linger a little longer on mine. Not for the first time I wonder if he knows who I am. “Before we ask our pupils to join us, I would like to take a moment to remind you that national elections will take place in two years. I am pleased to inform you that Alpha Fraternarii has managed to be welcomed with the staggering number of twenty brothers in the Élysée.” His voice turns into a crescendo, louder and more urgent, chasing the next words. “We are growing, our numbers increasing steadily. The world is a better place with us in it. By growing our businesses and organizations, by respecting nature and charity, Alpha Fraternarii has never been as wealthy as we are today!”

Brothers applaud and cheer, their masks crevicing as they smile.

“Oui!” Elder Jacques sweeps the mood up, bangs his cane onto the rhythm of their clapping hands, as his never faltering gaze stretches across the group, taking in every hoot and howl with his dark, observant eyes.

Unmistakable, our pupils can hear us from the corridor. While my hands clap and my throat works, sending cheers into the room, I think of Régis. Waiting. Fearing.

Let him be afraid. That’s the price he should pay for getting in my way.

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