prologue

24 HOURS AFTER JUNIOR YEAR GRADUATION

PRESENT DAY

CHARLOTTE

Whoever said a person’s world couldn’t go up in flames in the blink of an eye deserves an award.

It’s the best lie ever told.

I’m standing alone, even though I’m surrounded. By the same people who set out to destroy me ever since I showed up at this school two years ago.

I swore they would never succeed.

I swore to never let them.

Why did I think they would let me go back home for summer break in peace?

Three identical pairs of eyes watch me, stalk me, degrade me admist the small crowd. And it takes every marrow in my bones to not shiver under the intensity of the three brothers’ gazes.

Once upon a time, one of them taught me what it meant to trust.

To love.

The other showed me friendship like I’d never known before.

And the last…

My eyes lift to Caeson’s gaze, nausea settling in my stomach at the venomous triumph sparkling in his cold stare.

But now, all I know is pain.

I’ll never let you forget who you are, Harlot. Do you doubt me?—That’s what he’d said to me once upon a time.

Thinking back now, I really did doubt him.

It’s a mistake I’ll never make again.

Fate played a little game called tag.

And I was it.

They used me and tossed me aside like I was nothing. Made me believe their lies, and their deceitful smiles like they were only things worth cherishing.

But now I know better.

“I wondered when I’d get my prize if we let loose too soon.” Taide smiles. He doesn’t even raise his voice, and despite the distance, his words carry like he’s just whispered them in my ear. Seductive and bitter. My damnation. “But you made it too easy, Harlot. You almost ruined the fun.”

Harlot.

It’s the first time I’ve heard him call me that in months. All it took was a day to demolish everything we built together.

Everything he let me believe we built.

My eyes shift to Reigh, standing right beside his identical brother with both arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt today, making his tattooed arms stand out like he’s a living, breathing work of art.

I wonder if my name etched in bold cursive along his shoulder was actually tattooed in, or drawn on with pen ink. Just to last long enough to have the effect he wanted. His face is eerily impassive, strange for someone like him.

But you know, what makes me think I know what strange is for Reigh?

Yesterday taught me that I really don’t know anything about the brothers I gave my heart to.

Caeson pulls away from the small crowd, ever the individualist.

Always the grand tormentor.

He refuses to let me walk away with just a scratch. When you enter a ring with Caeson, his strikes cut deep.

I refuse to flinch away as he comes closer. Not when he presses his entire frame right against the side of mine, not when his body heat sears right though my clothes. Not even when he reaches out, letting his index finger run along my jaw, up the side of my face, as he tucks a loose brown curl behind my ear. The sweet peppermint on his breath wraps around me as he whispers, “Does it hurt?”

No.

It fucking burns.

“I’d say I’ll miss you, Charlotte.” He continues, only loud enough for me to hear, “But I never lie.”

No he doesn’t.

Except when he does.

“Go home, Charlotte.” He says, with finality, pulling away from me. His words are soft, but his eyes are not.

I can see the warning brimming in their depths.

I turn away from all of them, pulling my suitcase behind me as I walk up to the last bus.

They’re not here because they need a ride. These elites could have helicopters pick them up right from their dorm windows.

They’re here to see me off.

To remind me never to show my face on their turf again.

But I refuse to let myself be bossed round by the same people who’ve taken it upon themselves to ruin my life.

Fuck the Deviltree. Fuck their elite group of preppy rich kids who’ve only made it this far because of the doors their parents opened for them.

And fuck Lupin Prep’s hierarchy.

Once the bus’ doors slide open, the parting words refuse to be swallowed down. I spare one last glance over my shoulder. Eight faces, one million mistakes.

But if there’s one thing the Soloh brothers taught me while they set out to destroy me, it’s to never show them your fear.

Two words. That’s all I say.

But the meaning permeates the air like radioactive fog.

I’ll be be back senior year.

And may the best man win.

“Challenge accepted.”