Chapter 5: The Blood List
489 Words
I should’ve run. I know that now.
But instead, I followed Damien deeper into the belly of the beast—aka the Underground.
The place was a fever dream. Red lights pulsed from hidden corners, people danced in slow motion like they were hypnotized, and everything smelled like expensive cologne, danger, and regret. Everyone wore masks. Every. Single. One.
Except Damien. And now, me.
Which meant one thing: I stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Is this a party or an exorcism?” I whispered, eyes darting around.
Damien smirked. “Depends who shows up.”
He guided me through the crowd like he owned the place, which he probably did. People parted for him, heads bowed slightly, eyes lingering a second too long on me.
I was officially the girl everyone was watching, and I had no clue why.
He led me to a velvet-curtained room in the back, past a metal door guarded by a dude who looked like he eats bricks for breakfast. No words were exchanged. The door opened.
Inside: candles, books, maps with red strings, a freakin' sword on the wall, and a huge black screen.
And in the center?
A long table with five people already seated. Masked. Unmoving. Creepy AF.
I froze. “What is this? A cult board meeting?”
Damien gave me a sideways look. “This is the Syndicate Council.”
“Oh. Cool. Totally normal.”
He walked to the center of the room, turned, and gestured for me to step forward. My feet refused.
Until one of the masked people spoke. A woman, cold and sharp.
“She’s not even initiated.”
“She’s not even masked,” another voice snapped.
“She’s mine,” Damien cut in. “She stays.”
The room went dead silent.
I blinked. “I’m what now?”
He didn’t answer. Just looked at me like I should trust him. Spoiler: I didn’t.
Then the screen behind them flickered on.
A list appeared—red background, black names.
And mine was at the top.
“LEXI SAINT,” it read, bold and terrifying.
Underneath: “LEVEL ONE: WATCHED.”
My blood ran cold.
“What is that?” I asked, voice cracking.
Damien’s jaw tightened. “The Blood List. It’s how we track targets.”
“Targets?!”
One of the masked members chuckled darkly. “You’ve been seen, girl. That means you’re either an ally…”
“Or a threat,” another finished.
I felt like throwing up.
“Why am I on it?” I whispered.
Damien finally looked at me, his eyes softer now. “Because someone’s watching you, Lexi. Someone besides us.”
And then another name flashed on the screen, just beneath mine.
ZOE CARMICHAEL.
My best friend.
“Wait—Zoe? What the hell?!”
Damien’s voice dropped to a whisper, right against my ear.
“She’s not who you think she is.”
- Writer
