A new school. The same chains. Just in a prettier cage.
They all got down, but I stayed seated in the jet, staring out the window.
The view was breathtaking—rolling hills and an intimidating building that looked more like a fortress than a school. Down below, students had stopped in their tracks, eyes locked on the jet as if they were ready to pounce on it.
As I drifted deeper into thought, something smacked me in the face.
I turned sharply. Taw and his brothers stood there, staring at me with blank expressions.
They didn't blink.
"What?" I snapped.
They burst into laughter.
Annoyed, I tried to get out of the jet, but someone shoved me back into my seat. Ramil—the third brother—laughed harder, nearly falling over, until Johnson stepped in and dragged him out.
"This place is already exhausting," I muttered, trying again to get up.
Taw leaned in, pushed me back, cupped my chin in his hands, and looked straight into my eyes with that signature mocking grin.
"No girls here, huh? Just dudes everywhere," he smirked. "They say you've never had a girlfriend. Is that true?"
I said nothing. Just stared.
He was about to throw another insult when my dad's voice sliced through the noise.
"Spade. I thought we'd already had this conversation."
I stared back at him, cold. "Remind me—because the last time I checked, you made all the decisions yourself. So don't start preaching like I had a say."
My father turned to greet someone—a man built like a tank, easily six feet tall, flanked by two others.
"Augustus! My friend. It's been years. Meet my son, Spade."
Augustus opened his mouth, maybe to speak—but I wasn't having it. I turned to walk off.
But my dad grabbed my arm.
"You're going to say hi—and you're going to do it properly. Test me here, and I'll send your guards back home."
"Hey, hey, chill," Johnson interrupted, pulling me away from him.
I yanked my arm from Johnson's grip. "Try it," I muttered toward my father.
"Spade—" Johnson called.
"No," I said. "I don't want to hear from either of you. You made this decision. What am I even doing here? What do you want me to do—just smile and nod?"
My father started walking toward me again, Augustus and his men trailing behind him.
Then—
Smack.
His hand met my face with full force. I stumbled back.
"Taw and the boys already sent your things to your room. Everything is ready," he said, like nothing had just happened. "Your life here begins now. You'll behave. You'll follow the rules of Grace Mountain."
He turned to Augustus. "Take it from here. There's nothing left for me to say."
"Yeah. We never really talk when it's about me anyway," I muttered.
My dad raised his eyebrows. "What, you want a hug? A kiss goodbye? Get moving."
Then he turned away. No glance. No goodbye. Just a sigh to Johnson and Augustus.
A few seconds later, Taw and his brothers were back.
"Hey, Spade," Crune said with a smirk. I didn't even acknowledge him.
"Everything set?" my dad asked.
"We're ready to fly," Ramil said proudly.
"Enjoy your new home, Spade," Taw chimed in mockingly.
"It's going to be fun," Ramil added with fake cheer. "Except, well—no girls. All dudes."
"And what's wrong with that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Oh, don't tell me, Spade…" Ramil started, dragging out the words dramatically.
Before he could finish, Johnson grabbed him and Taw both—by the hair—and dragged them off.
Then he turned back to me.
"I need a word."
They all disappeared, leaving just Johnson and me.
He stepped closer and pulled something out—wrapped in a white cloth.
He placed it into my hand and gripped my shoulder.
"Don't let Augustus see this," he said. "It's for your protection. Don't think twice. Just pull it when you need to."
And with that, he was gone.