Deviant King (Royal Elite #1) by Rina Kent

Could’ve seen me.

What would’ve happened if Aunt looked out? If Uncle returned home? If one of the neighbours passed by?

Getting all tangled with Aiden is provoking parts I never wanted provoked.

Because at that moment? All I thought about was chasing the sensation he was pulling out of me.

God. I hate him.

Kim’s eyes sparkle with excitement as we walk through the front door of Ronan’s mansion. Loud music thumps from the walls even before we get in. A butler who looks straight out of Downton Abbey, all complete with the uniform and the tight smile welcomes us in.

Ronan is a lord’s son, but the butlers and servers at a teenager’s party are too much.

I smile, imagining him forcing his parents’ staff to serve at his endless parties.

Almost everyone from RES is here. It’s weird to see them out of their uniforms, laughing, drinking, and grinding against each other to a hit pop song.

This is a normal Sunday night to them. Kim and I are about the only ones who avoid them. For two years, I never felt like I was missing out on the whole teenage scene.

However, Kim always talked about such parties with a certain sadness that knotted my heart. Unlike me, she longed for the normal teenage life. She wants to go to college with one last hurrah.

I won’t kill her wishes just because these scenes aren’t for me. That’s what best friends do, right? They abandon their comfort zones for their friends.

Kim lent me skinny jeans and a black tank top that keeps falling off my right shoulder. Since Kim lost weight, her new size is a bit too tight on me and I feel like combusting in the trousers. I kept my face make-up-less and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail at the top of my head.

Kim opted for a hot pink dress that hugs her petite frame and hints at her cleavage. She’s even wearing heels and has her hair loose.

We’re going all out.

Her words, not mine.

Dangerous Night by Thirty Seconds to Mars fills the space as Kim snatches a drink from a butler’s tray.

I face her. “Are you nervous? We can go home if you like.”

“Nope!” She laughs. “We agreed to not run away anymore, remember?”

“It’s fine to run away sometimes. You know, for self-preservation.”

She chugs half of the drink. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Act so strong, Ellie! I wish I had your cool head.”

I lift my shoulder. “I’m not really that cool, Kim. I don’t show it.”

“Show it?”

I catch a dark figure in my peripheral vision and the blood in my veins turns to ice.

Blood.

So much blood.

Steel blood runs in your veins. You will not disgrace it.

The haunting voice booms in my head like a demon’s. The tips of my fingers tingle and turn icy.

An urge to scrub them clean takes over me like a drug addict burning for a fix.

A weird sensation crawls down my spine as I feel eyes on me. Blank, lifeless eyes. They’re watching.

They’re coming to get me.

They’ll eat me.

Run, Elsa!

NOW!

“Elsa?”

My gaze snaps to Kim who’s waving a hand in front of my face.

“Huh?”

“You just zoned out.” Her brows furrow. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I force a smile. “I just need the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

I bolt out of there before she can say another word. With one of the butlers’ help, I find a restroom. The burn under my skin becomes like hellfire, about to consume me whole.

It only cools once I pour water and scrub it clean over and over again.

I watch my surroundings the entire time as if expecting someone to jump me from the walls. Or worse, the mirrors.

I stare at my spooked reflection. My pupils are round as saucers and my white-ish hair looks like a witch’s.

“It’s nothing.” I force a smile out of my trembling lips. “You’re going to be okay.”

After smoothing my expression and cleaning my hands, I step out of the bathroom.

I’m lost in my thoughts when I walk back into the lounge area where music thumps and everyone dances like they’re in a club.

I barge into a hard wall — or a person.

Ow. Strong hands clutch me before I fall back on my butt.

“Sorry,” I mumble. “I didn’t see you.”

“Obviously.” The laughter draws my attention to the tall, broad and very familiar face.

Levi King.

The previous captain of Elites and the current gem of Arsenal’s midfield.

I’m caught in a near-fangirl moment at seeing a Gunner in real life. I mean, I did go to games with Uncle Jaxon, but this is the closest I’ve gotten to a player.

“Have you seen my dickhead cousin?” Levi’s inquisitive eyes roam over my shoulder.

His cousin. Right. Aiden is one year younger than him and his cousin. Jonathan King is his guardian.

I visibly shake myself. I can’t believe I was almost too caught in the fangirl mode to forget who Levi actually is.

“Wait a second.” He studies me close — too close — that I smell his expensive aftershave.

While Aiden has the whole dark vibe to a T, Levi has pale blue eyes that flick to clear grey in the dim light. His sandy blonde hair is tousled and messed up like he couldn’t care less about combing it when he rolled out of bed.