Chapter 49

OPHELIA “A re we all set?” Axl asks Xavier, who’s sitting at the breakfast table making notes on a map. Without looking up, Xavier nods once and places the pen between his teeth. I take a sip of my coffee and stand beside him, looking at the map of the woods that border Montridge. Xavier has adorned it with various symbols and arrows. “Is this for the final trial?” Malachi slips his arms around my waist and sits down, pulling me onto his lap. “Yeah, the Hunt. Our favorite.” “The Hunt?” A shiver runs down my spine, and Malachi laughs. “What happens? Do you hunt people?” “Only the pledges, baby, and they all know what they’re getting themselves into.” I wrinkle my nose, watching Xavier make more marks on the map. “What is he doing?” I whisper to Malachi. “He’s marking the quickest way through the obstacles. They’re different every year.” “What exactly happens at these hunts?” Axl tips my chin up with his forefinger. “Always so many questions, princess.” Then he offers me a smile and pres