“I’ll fill her in,” Ollie promises before slipping out the door. I can’t help but wonder if his quick exit is a cover for how hurt he must feel right now, after seeing that photo of me and Levi tangled together like that. So clearly giving in to our feelings for each other. Feelings Ollie didn’t even know about until five minutes ago. Which, it occurs to me, was Harlowe’s whole agenda. She wanted to target each of us with emotional land mines. That was mine.

Maude waits for Ollie to leave, then addresses the group again. “I’ll make this brief.” She casts her eyes over all of us, finally settling on me. “Welcome to the Nine. This group has historically been Darkwood’s apparatus for lighting a fire under students, for motivating them to be their best selves. It’s our job to act as role models for the rest of the student body. This year, we’ll have a singular focus. Not only inspiring the students here to challenge themselves academically—motivation that I don’t think they actually need, since no one makes it here unless they’re exceptionally smart and talented. This year our focus will be on tolerance. On choosing to be kind. Tonight’s display was the exact opposite of that goal. I thought I’d made myself clear, but I guess not. There will be no more reverse hazing of any kind. No more humiliation or emotional torture. No more initiation rituals,” she says, boring her eyes into Harlowe’s. “Or—well, you saw what we’re capable of. And that’s only the start.”

Harlowe shrinks into herself. Ivy casts her eyes downward at her shoes. And Graham, who’s trying not to look fazed by any of this, is obviously doing his best to act tough—but I wonder what he’s really thinking. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard any of the Similars threaten anyone. I don’t blame Maude; rather, I’m angry that she felt she had to. Still, I wish tonight had never happened. The thought of the whole school knowing what they’re capable of… What you might be capable of too…

The meeting is brief. Maude dismisses us, but not before reminding us of the burden we carry as members of the Nine—to embrace other students, not sabotage them. With a sinking feeling in my heart, I wonder if that’s a realistic goal. Especially now that Maude’s given these juniors ammunition against the Similars.

“Let’s go,” Maude tells me, Pippa, and Theodora, linking her arm through mine. Then she stops short and turns back to Harlowe. “If I were you, I’d hide that car before Ransom gets wind of it.” I don’t wait to see the look on Harlowe’s face before we slip out the double doors, leaving the pump house behind us.