I think of the pile of bodies slaughtered on Terror Tuesday, the way the campus and city moved on before sunrise. “Sacrifices please the gods,” I say. “And earning the Lunar Chalice grants us enough favor so we don’t have to worry.”
In celebration of our six deities’ strength, their fabled abilities to manipulate the tides of the oceans, we hold a competition on their corresponding moon phases to please them.
The gods demand at least one sacrifice and one birth or symbolic renewal in order to pay respects to the powers of life and death.
Whichever fraternity or sorority earns the most points in the competitions wins the Lunar Chalice at the end of the year. And immunity from punishments for at least four. Even after graduation.
It’s well-known that Northview University has a death and disappearance issue. But most people are so self-involved, it’s easily brushed under the rug. Five girls sliced open on TerrorTuesday? No big deal. Just another evening. Two students on Massacre Monday? Meh, a lighter year.
“I’m only here because Daddy says I’ll be appointed to Harrison Vandermeer,” Elowyn says, all soft and starry-eyed. Probably already imagining Vandermeer’s fashion line in her closet and the millions in her account.
What Elowyn Price doesn’t fully understand is that if shedoesn’tparticipate and obey, her “Daddy” will lose his entire business and reputation. Also, his life and that of her mother and sisters, too. Brutally. Assigned to be either assassinated by the freshman members of the fraternities. Or the enforcers of the rules. Men who work directly for the president of the university.
I play along because I have towin. I’d do it even if the cost was sacrificing the entire society. It has nothing to do with favor or immunity—it’s aboutcontrol. Losing means the gods take something from you. Sometimes a person. My father wasThetapresident. My brother was too. Like them, I’ll do what it takes to protect my family.
As we near the modern glass structure for the student center, the cafeteria inside, my stomach growls with hunger for whatever amazing food aromas flow through the glass doors.
“Tade? Did they give you your appointed sister?” Blaire asks with a casual glance at his stoic face.
He slowly nods but doesn’t give anything away. As he speaks directly to me, his voice lowers. “Father is, uh, protesting the board’s decision.”
The NU Board of Trustees loves a bloodline, pairing matches based on merit and influence. Ones to continue serving the society for life. They’ll hand me a red envelope soon with my appointed’s name: a girl chosen for breeding,notaffection. A womb wrapped in silk and duty. I’ll smile, say thank you, and keep fucking whoever I want. Besides, women are typically shared among society members.
It’s not a marriage. It goes deeper.
As a Viscount to my appointed, the rank that will be assigned to me, I’ll be expected to protect her while she services me loyally. There’s no such thing as a broken bond.
Not without a body.
“You don’t want her?” I ask. And he only shrugs, making me think he’s got his eye on someone else.
A pledge dutifully opens the doors for us, and we head to the busy cafeteria as a group.
“I’m terrified to find out who I’ll be appointed to,” Blaire mutters under her breath. Being bisexual, she’s expressed concerns that she doesn’t want to be “stuck with” a man for life. And I think she’s had a thing for Sutton more than she cares to admit. But she chose to enterSigmasorority and Greek life willingly.
Besides, shecouldget appointed to a woman. It’s rare, but it has happened.
Me? I really don’t give a fuck who they assign me to. It’s all in the spirit of the greater good for the Seven. Rigidity is necessary for someone like me. It’s how I’ve learned to tame the thoughts inside. Because when I don’t have order, I become chaos.
Why is it theSeventhSociety if there are only six gods we serve?
In our senior year history course for fraternity officers, we learned that this is because the seventh combines them all. Waxing and waning crescent, waxing and waning gibbous, first and third quarter. Full moon to represent all.
Newmoon…hmm… Well, that doesn’t have one. I’m sure there’s a reason. I just haven’t finished all my studies yet.
I grab a tray, filling it with a good steak and asparagus, as Tade follows me closely, picking up some rice with his. Glancing around, I make sure no one is near, then drop myvoice. “You still joining the BALSAC with me after graduation, right?”
His eyes narrow as his mouth tightens into a line. Tade doesn’t talk much at all. Probably why we work well together. But he also doesn’t give much away. “Of course.”
He’s got me nervous. Mr. Kim arguing with the board about his appointment? Tade acting like there’s someone else he wants? It could all blow back on Dad and me.
We needmeon the Board of Loyalty and Societal Appreciation Control. They decide how disobedience is handled, who gets purged, and who gets spared. And if we can stack it with our own people, we won’t only survive the system.
We’llrunit.
Before checking out at the register, I grab an entire stuffed-crust pizza and a slice of chocolate cake for myself. Everyone settles in around Tade and me at our usual table, while Lan skulks in late, looking sullen and casting me a leery glance. By the time he gets food and sits with us, the girls have already edged away from him, and I unwind a slow, victorious smile.
“Aiden? Did you get your appointed?” aSigmaasks.