4

I stare at his ring. Vencor. Of course, as a member, he knows this place inside out. Maybe I underestimated just how intricately they’re woven into the university’s and the team’s fabric. “Have I made you suspicious of me?” I smile, deliberately making it appear awkward. Sheepish, even. “I wouldn’t call it suspicion. Curiosity is more accurate.” I swallow the saliva stuck in my throat. “What are you curious about?” “Your motive.” “I can’t be a fan?” “You can. But your actions don’t reflect your claim.” “How so?” “First, you’re not wearing any of our jerseys, and while that’s normal for an occasional viewer, it’s bizarre for a fan. Second, you said you only got into hockey recently, and yet you seem to know about my and Callahan’s play style as if you’ve been studying it instead of watching the game for fun. Lastly, if you were a fan, you would’ve jumped at the opportunity of getting a picture with me, Armstrong, and Callahan, but you were dead set on hiding and eavesdropping, so that tells me you have an agenda. That agenda is less related to the team and has more to do with my ring, because you’ve stolen at least three peeks at it since the start of this conversation.” Damn, he’s good. He’s so good, I’m speechless. The way he delivered his analysis in tranquil, precise words is both impressive and nerve-racking. Just how far has he read into me? And is it even safe to get entangled with him? He’s frighteningly perceptive and a master at recognizing and linking patterns. It’s fascinating on the rink but lethal in real life. Kane raises his hand, showcasing his index finger. “Do you know the meaning behind this ring?” “Everyone in town does,” I say in a small voice. “Correct, but probably not as well as you do. In reality, only a few have deciphered the actual meaning.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about⁠—” “No. Don’t play dumb. It insults both of our intelligence.” “What do you want me to say?” I whisper, feeling trapped between his claws without his even having to touch me. “What does this ring mean, Dahlia?” “I don’t…know.” “We’re done here.” He spins around and starts skating away. I panic, my breathing coming in a chopped rhythm, and I draw endless circles on my thumb with my index finger. I know, I just know that if he leaves, he’ll never give me the time of day again. He seemed disappointed by my reply. He was fully aware I was lying, and instead of calling me out, he just chose to put an end to the conversation. “Wait! It means you’re a Senior Vencor member.” He comes to a halt a small distance away and slowly turns around. His expression is its usual brand of calm and distant. “What other ranks exist?” “Trial, Member, Senior, and Founder,” I say slowly, revealing I’m more entrenched than anyone should be. I’ve completely put my cards on the table now, and it’s his decision whether to flip them over or let me play. I could’ve lied and denied it, but Kane proved he has zero tolerance for bullshit. The low timbre of his voice fills the air. “And how did a college student such as myself get a very high Senior position?” “Because you are…” “I am?” “Biologically related to a founding family.” “True and false. I went through the ranks like everyone else. I just started early.” Oh. I didn’t know that. I thought he, Jude, and Preston had gotten access solely because of familial ties. “How…early?” I ask. “Early.” He speaks the single word with enough command to ward off any further questions. “Now, why don’t you tell me the reason you’re so well-versed in Vencor when you were born in Maine and grew up in New Jersey, Dahlia?” I swallow hard. Even though that information is public and mentioned on my résumé, the fact that he remembers it so clearly is unsettling. “You know I’m on a scholarship, right?” I start in a composed tone. “Yes, and?” “If you’ve done your research, then you must know I receive grants. I was born to a poor fisherman and seamstress in a little coastal town in Maine, but I don’t remember much of that life, because my parents died when I was six. But I do recall that Mom fixed the same dress at least five or six times instead of getting me a new one. I remember never having enough food to quiet the hunger in my stomach. The situation didn’t change when I was thrown into the system and moved from one abusive home to another. Kids like us don’t get nice things. Some of us become druggies, others sell their bodies, and many die in freak accidents. Nobody cares about the nameless corpse by the side of the road. We’re just statistics that feed the machine. The few who make it, like me, are still treated like outsiders and discriminated against, no matter how book-smart or street-smart we learn to become.” I pause, largely because of the lump that’s obstructing my throat. I didn’t mean to get personal, but I have a feeling anything less than the truth will not move Kane in the slightest. For that matter, he might look down on me if I lie—he was certainly ready to axe the conversation when I attempted it. Although I’ve just laid my unglamorous life out in front of him, he doesn’t react. There’s not even a tic in his monk-like expression. He doesn’t appear to be calculating whether or not I’m telling the truth. “And?” is all he says, prompting me for more, sliding ghostly hands through my brain as if he wants to pick it apart piece by piece. “And I’m tired of being on the outside. For once, I want to be on the inside. I want to wake up in the morning and not worry about how to survive for one more day. I heard Vencor can help with that. That if I become a member, my future will be guaranteed, like it has been for countless politicians, businessmen, and even ex-presidents. I want to be part of the powerful instead of the weak.” “And you thought the best way to do that would be to get close to the hockey team, where three players are Seniors and a few others are Members, and have one of the Seniors invite you to the upcoming initiation.” Not a question, but I still say, “Yeah.” “You thought right. I’ll make your wish come true.” My lips part. Did Kane just agree to help me without my having to resort to all the diabolical plans I had prepared? What? Why? Does he perhaps pity me? Honestly, I don’t care. I’ll be the most pitiful puppy if that gets me in. I have no time to focus on my pride in situations like this. “Really?” I ask, still not believing my ears. “Yes. I already had someone else in mind for the initiation, but I’ll take you instead.” A shiver goes through me when he says, ‘I’ll take you instead.’ Even though his tone doesn’t change, there’s a strange shift in his expression. A smile curves his lips, and I stop and stare. Am I supposed to find him this gorgeous? It soon disappears as his mechanical tone fills the air. “Fair warning. This is not your run-of-the-mill initiation or some hazing ceremony where you’ll be asked to take silly dares. You will be tested. You’ll be pushed to your limits. And you’ll be asked to offer your body and soul at the altar of demented people. If you refuse, you’re out and banished for life. If you don’t prove to be willing to be used for Vencor, you’ll be sabotaged until you escape the country or shoot yourself. And if you betray Vencor, no one will find your bones. Are you sure you still want to participate? Sometimes, being an outsider is much safer than being a blood-bound insider.” Another chill runs through me and I tighten my hands on my phone. I’ve heard a lot of rumors and I’m part of dark web forums that discuss theories and stories about what these people are capable of. Kane’s words said in a neutral newscaster voice shouldn’t shake me, but they do. If I’d heard this a year ago, I would’ve turned around and left, but now? Now, I have nothing to lose. And if I must use my life to avenge my sister, so be it. So I say in a resolved, dead voice, “I’m sure.” Kane watches me, neither surprised nor approving. “If you change your mind before you’re accepted, say a word only the two of us know and I’ll make it stop. No matter what it is. Let’s go with…red.” I nod. “Why are you helping me?” He taps my cheek with his index finger on which he’s wearing the ring. The cold metal sends a chill through me, but that’s nothing compared to the electrifying fire that spreads down my belly as his skin touches mine. “I’m curious if you’ll last and how far you’ll go, my fake fan.” His smile drops as he pats my cheek one final time. “Don’t disappoint me.”