Author's Note: This is an unedited rough draft. I am really trying to get one in because I haven't in a while. It's because I've been working on a novel to submit into a writing contest! So, that's why!
Sorry you guys!
Chapter Three: Dark Secrets
Grace POV
The funeral was a private affair. Lavi Wilson’s death was a headline still. I sat cowering in Hugo’s arm, scared out of my mind. Arabella claimed that Lavi had received a hangman’s noose that was tied to their doorknob when they came back from a class, but they didn’t know what it meant. Of course they knew! It was so obvious. But suddenly, I wondered if I misinterpreted the dagger. What if it was a death threat?
“Mrs. Wilson,” I say to the black clad woman.
“Oh, hello dear,” she says in a feeble voice.
There were a few people waiting for the right minute to send their condolences. Hugo and I quickly told her we would miss her daughter dearly.
“Oh, daughters,” Mrs. Wilson corrected us.
“Pardon?” I remark.
Only one of her girls was dead.
“Arabella won’t be coming back to Valemont,” Mrs. Wilson said.
What?
Kat POV
The thing about funerals is that they’re depressing. The thing about New York City funerals is that they’re your chance to mix and mingle. Edwin is the perfect date. He’s at an Ivy League school, he’s got a bright future-being a senior and all, and he’s hot. Funerals are a “boo-hoo” affair only for those who are stupid. This funeral took place at a gorgeous church where people who Lavi barely knew attended. Not only that, but there were no attempts of blockading the press from the venues. Leo was even done moping. He had made it clear that Lavi embarrassed him by not telling him about her drug habits.
“Hey,” Albany said to Wthyr, who was standing next to me, “I’m going to go steal a few bottles and we’re going to get in the limo. Just follow my little cousin… Kat, make sure you two get all the legs and come on!”
Wthyr stared in disbelief as Albany took off with Edwin.
“Booze?” Wthyr remarked. “Partying? This is a funeral.”
“Don’t be so normal about it. This is New York party!” I whispered, pulling her off.
We gather the gang and go off to the limo.
“I can’t believe you guys are doing this!” Kristen laughs as we all pop the bottles of champagne open.
“I think it’s perfect!” Lilly said. “Anyhow, we all know about zip about Lavi. It’s stupid to randomly be sad about a girl that pretty much spent any time she had getting high. No offense Leo. I’m just trying to be honest here!”
I could see some people were shocked, but this is just the way we grieve. Plus, I had more plans for our group. It was super exclusive. Super fun. Oh, and only for my closest friends.
Wthyr POV
It was rude. It was insensitive. It was my boyfriend’s idea! I stomped into my room, furious with myself for actually believing he was a good guy! What the hell was he thinking; planning a booze filled joy ride in the mayor’s personal limo? It was Lavi’s funeral! I could see Leo was not in the partying mood, he found out his sister was a drug addict the same night she died! I went to bed, not sure when he was getting home because the guys decided to take Leo to some place off campus to help him get a little more drunk! Ugh. Men!
Kristen POV
It was late and we were all in Kat and Grace’s room having a sleepover. We were all in our pajamas drinking.
“I just don’t get it!” I rambled, not quite sure how many drink I had or why I wasn’t so drunk yet!
I expressed this concern to Kat who laughed and said vampires do not get drunk.
“Than what the hell am I supposed to do about Leo Wilson being an idiot?” I snap.
“Suck his blood,” Grace suggests, licking her lips.
We all laugh and I realize something: I love going to Valemont.
“Anyhow, I am so surprised you have not gotten snatched!” Keira giggled.
“Me, too! I am a hot chick!” I say, striking a pose.
“No, we mean secret societies!” Kat giggled. “Sheez, what do you think the knife in my door was for?”
“What?” I snap, shocked.
“Shh!” Keira said. “Not too loud. Even some Pantheras aren’t worthy of knowing the secrets of The Dagger!”
“What is ‘The Dagger?’” I ask.
“The most elite and powerful secret society in the world. Rumor has it that it originated in medieval times and only traveled here when a student moved to the colonies and attended Valemont. It’s the oldest secret society at this school,” Grace whispers.
“The Dagger is the most exclusive society ever. We want you,” Keira said. “You’ll be hanging out with chicks like me, Grace, and Kat. Plus, you get everything. You want a job? Got it. You want a man? Got him. You want someone gone? Gone.”
“Not to mention out super fun trip to Dubai during Spring Break!” Kat giggled. “The Dagger invests in some hotels there so we can fund out own trips. Private jets. Luggage. Wardrobe allowance…”
I froze, knowing what kind of invite I was getting. Kat got up and pulled a blood red box from her desk drawer, handing it to me. I grabbed it.
“Normally, we’d put it in you door, but seeing as Leo is not going to be thrilled if we put a knife in your door…” Grace laughed.
I opened it. Inside sat a dagger…
“Hangman’s Noose is the other competition,” Keira said. “They’re usually known for slipping the noose around your neck. They have quite a bit of stealth… “
I sat staring at the dagger and remembering how Keira said I could have anyone gone. Did I want to have those kinds of connections? It was a lot like a mob to me. But I recognized the prestige to it.
“So, are you in?” Keira asked.
“On one condition,” I say.
“What’s that?” Kat asked.
“I want Leo,” I say.
“Like I said…” Keira smirked.
“What I want, I get?” I remark.
“Wait,” I say flatly. “Grace, don’t you hate Amanda?”
“That slut’s name means nothing to me,” Grace snaps, her eyes shooting daggers.
So she does hate him. So Grace would want Amanda gone. Amanda got pushed down the stairs. I tried to keep my cool as I realized the kind of power this secret society had.
Copyright Kathy Nguyen 2010
Author