Page 43 of Crown of Steel

“Maybe. If you’re good to him.” He has dropped his voice to a murmur.

Oh God, why does this turn me on? Why do these words…

“Like the other day?” I whisper.

“Hmm, he would like that very much. And you?”

The memory of his hands on my body causes toe curling tingles. Of his cock in my mouth…I salivate. I’d die for another taste of him. But I can’t forget my past, my iron bars. Can’t forget my future, altered since I set foot in this college.

Forever intermingled with his, even if he doesn’t want it.

No, I’ve got to be stronger than this. But it’s becoming so fucking, hard.

“I—” Probably still wouldn’t have had a clue what to say, but my phone, vibrating in the pocket of my school pants, shuts off any other thoughts. I check the caller ID. “Oh, shit.”

I fly out of the couch before anyone can stop me, then give everyone a little wave. “Thanks for uhm—I need to go. I’ll see you later.” Pressing the phone against my ear, I grab my bag and head for my door. “You have received a phone call from an inmate of the Toulouse prison. Press 1 if you want to…”

The knock on my door doesn’t come as a surprise. Neither does my response. Squeezing the silkymaterial of the black cloak a little tighter, I ignore how my body tingles with nerves. This wait was killing me. Whatever it is they have in store for me, I can’t escape. Not tonight.

This will pass too.

But when I open my door, I’m suddenly not so sure anymore. The jitters jump violently inside my stomach when I take in the view of the twins and their cousin who are standing by the door, wearing identical cloaks to mine. Smooth, black velvet hangs loosely around their broad shoulders, tied at the waist.

Perhaps Arthur was right all along when he said that I have no idea what kind of trouble I am in.

It’s a prank, I tell myself. We’re students. There will be drinks and music, and the promise to keep the wild things of the evenings a secret.

No one smiles. No snickers or taunts, no wickedness or sins. In their hands they carry Venetian masks, their fingers wrapped in velvet gloves.

“Are you ready?” Arthur asks. I swallow, blink again, then nod. “Good boy. Now, an important rule, we have to be quiet in the corridor. I told you before, but there are many students out here who don’t know about us. If you talk, I’ll do whatever I can to get you expelled from this school.Tu comprends?”

“Yes,” I hear myself mumble. Anger builds inside my core, slow and hot as it unfurls, together with a wicked idea. I promised myself I’d fight them all. And no matter how much they’ve got me cornered, I won’t back out now. I’ll find a way to have Arthur on his knees, to make him listen.

“Good.”

“On y va.” Louis takes the lead, followed by Gaël. Arthur pushes me in front of him, and as we head out of our dorm and onto the deserted, narrow hall with its soft, velvet carpets, I can’t help but wonder if this was all made for this reason. To be quiet, secretive, and hidden.

11

ARTHUR

We shuffle barefoot through the narrow corridor, a silent procession on its way toward the hidden stairs that will take us all the way to the dungeon in the South Wing. According to the papers on the Alpha Fraternarii, these stairs were only made back in the mid 18th century, when the monks left and Monterrey Castle became Saint-Laurent Boarding College for boys.

The breeding ground for the brotherhood.

It’s also the most distressing part of the night. I don’t think there hasn’t been a single time that I don’t fear for any random door to open by accident.

To be seen in our cloaks. To be caught. Despite the tremendous repercussions, the thought is fucking thrilling.

In front of me, Régis follows the others. Though the smooth garment wrapped around his frame, I catch the way his shoulders are drawn-up. He’s nervous as hell. That too, is fucking thrilling. And has my cock fill with blood and arousal. I squeeze it through my silk. Not yet, big boy. But soon.

In the front, Louis places his flat hand against the wall and feels for the opening to the secret passage, hidden behind thewallpaper. He slides open the door, letting Gaël through, then follows him, and again, Régis is third in line, with me as his gatekeeper following close.

Down the stairs.

Innocent lamb, it's time for the initiations.

We ascend the stairs all the way down toward the dungeons, which are dimly lit with torches for tonight, as they guide us toward our gathering. The entire castle has dungeons, and while some are used for storage, others have been designed as communal areas where students can hang out, play some pool or darts, or even organize their monthly movie night. Not South Wing though. Officially, this is where personnel sleeps. Unofficially, it’s where the founding fathers keep office. It’s where my dad has his office. It’s where the Alpha Fraternarii rule. There are four other families, but their sons have already graduated from this college.

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