Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

Sounds like a brilliant idea, me.

How come I never thought about it earlier?

I jump and hop amidst the bushes and the dirt path leading to the main mansion.

Dan better show up or I’ll kill him. What’s the use of a best friend if he doesn’t go stupid pool dancing with me?

The bright lights of the house become clearer, and I stop, shielding my eyes with the back of my hand. Ugh. Why so strong?

“Come on, we don’t have time. Do it!”

“Shut it. Everything needs to be perfect.”

“Just do it already or we’ll be in trouble.”

My ears stand at the hushed whispers coming from between the bushes. They’re male voices, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard them before.

Or have I?

But again, RES is too big for me to know everyone. Especially since I nailed the invisible role.

Besides, this is the farewell party before summer so more than likely, all students are here.

My instinct tells me this isn’t a conversation or a situation I should be privy on.

And my instinct is always right.

I sneak to the opposite direction towards the blinding light.

A twig crunches under my shoes like in some cliché horror film.

I freeze in place, muting my chaotic breathing as best as I can.

“Who’s there?” The first hardened voice asks.

“I’m going to check.”

“Don’t let them escape!”

Oh, for the love of Vikings!

I sprint through the bushes and between the tall trees. Voices and loud footsteps echo behind me.

My heart hammers against my ribcage as if about to spill on the ground. The more footsteps close in on me, the harder I push forward.

I’m not an athletic person. The mere act of running wooshes all energy out of me like I’m a deflating balloon. Soon enough, I’m panting and sweating like a pig.

“It’s over here.” One of them calls.

“I’m bringing backup.”

Dad is so going to kill me if these guys don’t.

Too many gory films, Astrid. You watch too many gory films. There’s no way high school students, RES’s posh students no less would commit murder.

Then, I recall that their families’ power can get them out of anything — including murder.

God, I hate everything these rich kids stand for.