Row shifts uncomfortably. “It’s part of the initiation process to be accepted into the Society. In order to be accepted, you must hunt and kill at least one Prey. It doesn’t matter if it’s the one you requested. As long as you kill a single Prey, you’re in.”

I straighten. “Requested?”

His eyes move to me. “Yes. Someone, I believe his name is Jeffrey Loyd, requested you specifically by name. You can request a type of person, a specialty, or someone specific. That person is arranged for us to hunt.”

“How do you know who requested me?” I ask, watching him carefully.

“You aren’t the normal Prey so it’s all anyone can talk about.” He grimaces. “They watch it all like a bloody horse race and you’re the biggest entertainment this year.”

“So that’s it then?” I scowl. “We get kidnapped and dropped in the middle of nowhere, hunted like fucking animals, all so some pompous asshole can get into his rich boy evil frat?”

Row grimaces again. “Unfortunately.”

Creed pulls his pistol and points it at Row’s head. I can see the anger boiling under his skin at the realization that it’s something so stupid as an initiation that we’re here. Row doesn’t even flinch when Creed says, “I suggest you start telling us right now why we shouldn’t kill you for signing up for this shit show.”

“My father is in the Hound Society,” he answers, his eyes on me as if I’m the only one here worth speaking to. “He’s been in it for at least a decade or two. He’s all about how the lineage carries on and is adamant I join the Society. I have no interest in being here. I have no interest in killing any of you. I want to get out just as much as the four of you.”

“I’m not buying it,” Achilles growls. “Rich assholes like you love this shit.”

“Jesus. Just because I like Versace doesn’t mean I want to kill people,” Row spits. “Listen to yourself.”

“And look where we are!” Achilles snarls. “We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere being hunted like animals!”

“You’re on an island—”

“We know where we are,” Creed growls. “We didn’t need your help for that.”

I watch as Creed’s finger grows heavy on the trigger. “That’s enough,” I growl. “He helped us. We’re not killing him.”

Jiro jerks his head toward me. “He’s the enemy, little rabbit.”

“And so were the three of you,” I point out. “He could be a wealth of knowledge.”

Jiro eyes him. “Not much if he isn’t even in the Hound Society yet. Unless you’ve already killed?”

Row is shaking his head before Jiro finishes. “I got forced to tag along with Belview and his crew. I’ve been lingering back while they do their thing—”