God of Malice (Legacy of Gods #1) by Rina Kent

“Whatever you can’t imagine. Just leave your life and dignity at the door if you want to get into this. You also need to receive the invitation text, or you can forget it.”

“So they choose their potential members?”

“Of course they do. Otherwise, they’d be wasting their time with weaklings. It’s why most participants are the toughest ones from The King’s U. I heard they’re sending a few invitations to REU students this year, but that’s probably so the Heathens can use them as spies. Not sure.”

“Does it get dangerous?”

“I’m sure it does. The original members would wear these neon purge mask things and terrorize the potential members so that only the strong remained. I heard that some student drove himself off a cliff after the last initiation.”

The half-eaten sandwich remains suspended near my mouth as blood drains from my face. “W-what did you just say?”

Annika is completely oblivious to my state and digs her fork in her salad, the sound heightened in my overly simulated head.

“Not sure what happened, but I heard he almost got into the club, but didn’t, and the next day, he drove off a cliff. They ruled it as a suicide, but you never know with these things. Like it’s so easy to disguise death as anything when you have the right resources. Maybe they killed him, maybe they played with his brakes, or maybe it was just suicide. You can’t dismiss any option… Oh my God, why are you crying?”

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. Annika gets close and pats my shoulder. “Are you okay? Did you actually know him?”

Slowly, I nod. “He was my friend.”

Her expression morphs to one of horror before she winces. “I’m so sorry, Glyn.”

“You don’t have to be.” But the people who made him drive off that cliff should be.

I always wondered what made Devlin take that drastic decision, but now that I know he was part of some satanic club’s initiation, it all makes sense.

Hidden hands pushed him off that cliff.

And maybe finding out exactly who’s behind his death will finally give me the closure I’ve been searching for.

But how on earth will I be able to get an invitation?

A shadow falls over us, bigger than the casual cloud. The scent is enough to know who’s behind it, and I stare up at Killian.

The sun casts a bright shadow on his face and dark hair that appears bluish under the light. The hard contours of his face mesh in a symphony of physical supremacy. And his black trousers and shirt only add to his immortal charisma.

I hate how beautiful he looks, but what I hate the most is the booming flutter in my chest upon seeing him.

Or the memory of his fingers between my legs.

Or how wet I was.

No, nope. Not the right thought to have in front of a monster who smells such emotions from a planet away.

Gathering my wits, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

“It almost sounds as if you don’t want me here.”

“Wow, am I that obvious?”

He narrows his eyes, “I can get any access card I want.” Then he slides his attention to Annika. “Time to go, princess.”

She stiffened as soon as he showed up, probably because of his relationship with her brother. “I have classes this afternoon.”

“That you won’t attend.”

“Ugh.” She glares up at him. “And why did you come to fetch me?”

“Volunteered.” He grins down at me and I wish I could become one with the ground. “I can let you stay here for a bit more if you invite me to your little picnic.”

“You can stay—”

Annika hasn’t even finished her sentence before Killian physically barges between us and steals an olive from her.

“Is that a homage to me? It’s even red.” He points at what I’ve been sketching—an unfinished portrait.

I slam my sketchbook shut. “Not everything in this life is about you.”

“Not in this life, no. But your life? Debatable.”

“I’m just…” I start to mumble an excuse to leave.

“Don’t be a killjoy.” He waves in Annika’s direction. “She only has whatever time I allow her, and then she’s coming with me to be imprisoned in her ivory tower for the night. You have it in you to cut that little time off?”

I purse my lips, then reluctantly stay. This isn’t for the bastard. It’s for Annika, who’s already looking miserable, her shoulders hunched and her movements sluggish.

“Can’t she stay in the dorm with us tonight?” I ask.

“No can do.”

“You guys are dictators.”

A lazy grin lifts his lips. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, the worst ever. Might want to check your ego with a shrink. I can refer you to mine if you want.”

He hums, the sound low in his throat. “You have a shrink?”

The question is innocent enough, but it makes me realize that I’ve divulged too much information.

Maybe he thinks I’m crazy. Maybe he’s one of those ignorant people who thinks a shrink equals a psych ward.

Not that I care.

Jesus.

I lift my chin. “Yeah, I do.”

“Refer me.”

I stare at him for a second too long. Doubtful doesn’t even begin to explain my emotions. “Are you for real?”