The Blackthorn Elite Series: Rumors & Rivals

Chapter 13: The West Tower

The music inside the ballroom swelled as the doors opened again.

I stepped back into the light first, trying to steady my breathing. The glittering chandeliers above the marble dance floor made everything feel too bright, too exposed.

Behind me, Ryker followed a moment later, his expression already back to the cool, unreadable mask he wore so well around the rest of Blackthorn.

For a second, I almost wondered if the conversation in the hallway had even happened.

Then like a wrecking storm

Torin stood across the room near the grand staircase, a crystal glass frozen halfway to his lips. His sharp eyes moved between us- first me, then Ryker, then the few feet of distance between us.

He had noticed.

Of course he had.

“I can’t catch a break” I mumbled.

Torin slowly lowered the glass onto a nearby table, his expression tightening into something dangerous.

“Well,” he said as he approached, voice smooth but edged with steel. “Look who finally decided to rejoin the party.”

I stiffened.

Ryker didn’t move.

Torin stopped directly in front of us, his gaze locking onto me like a predator sizing up prey.

“You disappear halfway through the gala,” he continued lightly, “and suddenly you come back. With HIM.”

His eyes flicked to Ryker.

“And everyone’s supposed to believe that that’s coincidence?”

I crossed my arms. “Believe whatever you want, Torin.” I move forward to walk past.

A few nearby students had begun to glance over now, sensing the tension.

Torin leaned slightly closer to me, stopping me in my tracks as he lowered his voice.

“You always did hate being alone, Zaria.”

Before I could respond, Ryker stepped forward just enough to place himself between us.

The movement was subtle.

But unmistakable.

“You don’t know what the f**k you’re talking about” smile vanished.

“You really want to do this tonight?” Torin asked quietly.

Ryker’s voice was calm, almost bored.

“You’re the one making a scene Harrington.” Casually looking around.

Torin laughed once under his breath, shaking his head.

“No,” he said. “I’m watching my ex leave a hallway with the one guy at Blackthorn who’s spent the last two years acting like a anti-social hermit. Not to mention acting as if she didn’t exist at all.

His eyes darkened.

“And suddenly I’m the problem?”

“You lost the right to care what I do when you decided to humiliate me in front of half the school.”

Torin’s jaw clenched.

“That’s not what happened” a slight break in his voice. One that only I would notice.

“Oh really?” I shot back.

The room had gone noticeably quieter now.

Ryker’s voice cut through the tension.

“Torin.”

Just his name.

Low. Sharp.

A warning.

Torin’s gaze shifted slowly to him.

And to the three men who surrounded the room now at each exit.. Julian in one corner with the most mischievous grin, Adrian at another leaning against the wall with his phone in hand, seemingly inattentive, and Luca a few feet from my back.

My gaze followed Torin’s eyes. “ Where did they even come from?” I thought to myself.

“You think this is funny?” Torin asked.

Ryker tilted his head slightly. “No.”

“Then stay out of it.”

Ryker stepped closer.

Now they were face-to-face, the air between them thick with rivalry that clearly ran deeper than I understood.

“That’s not how this works,” Ryker said quietly.

Torin scoffed. “You’ve never cared about her before.”

Ryker’s eyes flicked briefly toward me before returning to Torin.

“You just can’t stand losing can you?”

“f**k You!”

Ryker smiled, knowing he’d gotten under Torin’s’ skin.

Torin studied him for a long moment, something dark and calculating settling behind his gaze.

Then he smiled.

But it wasn’t friendly.

Spotting Luca moving, he squared his shoulders.

“You know what?” Torin said, adjusting his jacket. “Maybe you’re right.”

He glanced toward me again.

“Maybe things have changed.”

His voice dropped slightly.

“But Blackthorn has a way of reminding people where they belong.”

I frowned. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Torin’s smirk widened.

“Nothing darling”.

Then he leaned closer to Ryker, speaking quietly enough that only the two of them could hear.

“You two can’t be together everywhere Kane.”

Ryker didn’t react, but Zaria noticed the slight tension in his shoulders.

Torin retreated, satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

With that, he turned and walked away into the crowd, leaving a ripple of whispers.

I looked up at Ryker and his jaw tightened as he watched Torin disappear across the ballroom.

A chill ran down Ryker’s spine.

And for the first time in a while he was afraid because he realized Torin hadn’t been threatening him.

He’d been threatening her.

The campus was silent, the lanterns dimmed low, and the old stone pathways glistened faintly under the moonlight.

Ryker silently walked me back to the dormitory. Silence was normal for him, but it seemed slightly different tonight. I felt like I should say something but I just couldn’t find the words.

And on top of all the chaos, I felt like I was lying to him..

Stopping at the entrance he looked at the building then down at me.

“Thank you” I had be sure to keep it short if I was to accept the invitation tonight. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I smiled sweetly but it didn’t quite meet my eyes.

“Why do I feel so horrible about this?” turning to walk away he grabbed hold of my hand.

“Wait”,gently pulling me toward him. “Can I give you something?”

“Umm, yea..” I said, in hesitation.

“Turn Around”.

I did what he said.

He brought both of his hands up the back of my neck, brushing it with the back of his fingers.. I couldn’t help but close my eyes.

then bringing his right hand to gently wrap around the front. His fingers, callused and warm. I exhaled as my eyes fluttered open.

With one motion he took all of my hair into his left, placing it to the front of my shoulder.

For a moment I just stood there staring at the ground.

Seeing a shadow from the ground I look up to find his arm reaching over my head. Carefully fastening the chain, his fingers once again brushing lightly against my skin.

When he finished, I turned back toward him.

The pendant rested perfectly just below my collarbone, catching the moonlight.

I touched it softly, “It’s beautiful”

“It suits you.”

On my neck a delicate silver pendant, the chain thin and elegant. At its center hung a small ornate charm, a beautifully crafted thorned crown wrapped around a single dark gemstone that shimmered faintly catching the light.

“Ryker…”

The pendant looked antique, almost royal.

“This is… incredible.”

He watched her reaction carefully.

“It’s rare.”

“I can tell.”

I lifted the necklace slightly, studying the intricate details.

“Where did you even find something like this?”

He looked almost casual, but there was pride in his eyes.

“My family collects a lot of old things.”

“This feels more like a museum piece.”

“It belonged to my grandmother.

My father gave it to my mother and now I’m giving it to you”

I froze.

My gaze lifting to his.

“You’re serious?”

He nodded slightly.

“She wore it every day.”

I immediately tried to unfasten it.

“I can’t take this.”

Ryker stopped me gently.

“Yes, you can,”

“It’s too important.” My eyes becoming glassy.

“That’s exactly why I’m giving it to you.”

“ My mother would have wanted you to have it”

My heart skipped.

“Ryker…I”

“I’m not taking no for an answer”

Sighing, I placed my hands to my sides, and with a whisper I say “ Thank you.”

“Happy birthday”

“It’s not my birthday.”

“I didn’t want to wait three weeks.” He shrugged a shoulder.

I narrowed my eyes playfully.

“And because I like seeing you wear something that reminds you of me.”

“That’s dangerously romantic.”

He smirked faintly.

“Don’t tell anyone.”

I laughed softly, still touching the necklace.

“I love it.”

Ryker’s eyes softened slightly.

“Good.”

Kissing me on the cheek, he turned to walk away, and I.. turned away only to take the back path through the courtyard.

From the courtyard, the West Tower rose high above the academy grounds, its narrow windows dark, its ancient stones wrapped in ivy.

I stood at the base of the tower door, the black invitation card still folded in hand.

My heart pounded.

You can still walk away, a small voice whispered in my mind.

But curiosity pushed stronger than fear.

I reached forward and pushed the heavy wooden door open.

It creaked slowly. “That’s not helping with the suspense”

Inside, the tower was lit only by candlelight.

Stone steps spiraled upward, shadows dancing across the walls like silent watchers.

I took a deep breath and started climbing.

Only the sound trickling water and my heels on the stone.

Each step echoed.

By the time I’d reached the top, my pulse was racing.

At the final landing stood another door- tall, black, carved with the same thorned crown symbol from the envelope.

I lifted my fist but It opened before I could knock.

So I stepped inside.

The room beyond looked nothing like I expected.

Tall candles lined the circular chamber, their flames flickering across old tapestries and ancient wooden shelves filled with books and other objects. At the center of the room stood a long table, and around it, six students, their faces partially hidden in shadow.

Selene Valemont stood near the window.

She smiled faintly.

“You came.”

I swallowed.

“You made it sound important.”

Selene gestured toward the table.

“It is.”

One of the seated figures leaned forward.

“Zaria Vale.”

His voice was smooth and familiar.

I blinked.

“Sebastian?” I asked in surprise.

Sebastian Langley smiled.

“Good evening.”

Beside him sat Julian Ravenscroft, looking far too amused by the entire situation.

“Relax,” Julian said lightly. “You’re not being sacrificed.”

I looked around the room again.

Luca Draven leaned against the wall casually.

Camille Deveraux sat quietly beside him.

Lila Montclair stood near the candles.

My heart skipped.

“You’re all… part of this?”

Selene nodded.

We’re the ones who maintain balance at Blackthorn.. and beyond.”

I frowned.

“You mean the elite society?”

Sebastian shook his head.

“The elite society is just social politics.”

He tapped the table lightly.

This is a bit older.”

Julian added casually,

“Much older.”

I glanced toward the center of the room where a small wooden box sat on the table.

“And what exactly is this?”

Selene stepped closer.

“A test.”

My eyebrows lifted.

“A test for what?”

Sebastian’s voice lowered slightly.

“Whether you belong among us.”

I crossed my arms.

“You barely know me.”

Julian smirked.

Oh, we know plenty.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“For example…”

He began counting off on his fingers.

“You returned to Blackthorn knowing the toxic environment and stayed despite Torin Harrington.”

“Instead of hiding, you confronted him publicly.”

“You beat him in fencing.”

“And…”

His eyes glinted with amusement.

“…you kissed Ryker Kane on the library rooftop.”

Among. He paused.. other intellectual and physical talents.

My face flushed instantly.

“You were spying on us?”

Selene stepped forward. “Observing.”

Sebastian nodded.

“Ryker Kane has always been… influential here.”

Luca added casually, “And unpredictable.”

My voice sharpened. “So this is about him?”

Sebastian shook his head. “No.”

He looked directly at me “It’s about you.”

I frowned. “Then why mention Ryker?”

Selene answered softly.

“Because you’re the first person who’s ever distracted him.”

That caught me off guard.

Julian leaned forward.

“And that changes things.”

I looked between them.

“You’ve been watching us?”

Camille spoke for the first time.

“For weeks.”

My stomach dropped.

“Why?”

Sebastian gestured to the wooden box in the center of the table.

“Because the society only invites people who change the balance of power.”

Selene’s voice lowered slightly.

“And you already have.”

The room fell quiet.

I stared at them.

“So what happens now?”

Sebastian slid the wooden box toward me.

“Now,” he said calmly,

“You decide whether you want power…”

He tapped the lid of the box.

“…Or whether you’d rather stay just another student.”

I hesitated.

“What’s inside?”

Julian grinned.

“The beginning of your initiation.”

I slowly lifted the lid.

Inside was a silver ring, engraved with the same thorned crown symbol, and the one around my neck.

My pulse quickened.

Selene’s voice softened slightly.

“If you put it on…”

She paused.

“…You become one of us.”

I stared at the ring.

But before I could respond—

A loud noise echoed from the spiral staircase outside.

Footsteps. Fast ones.

Julian sighed dramatically.

“Oh for the love of—”

The door burst open.

Ryker stood in the doorway, chest heaving clearly having run up the entire tower, behind him stood Adrian.

Tilting his head, Julian smiled at Adrian, “Snitch”

“ I told you I wanted no part in this” Adrian retorted.

Ryker’s eyes locked onto the scene immediately.

To me. Standing at the table.

The ring in my hand.

The secret society around me.

His voice was dangerously calm.

“Tell me,” he said slowly

“Why the f**k my girlfriend is being initiated into the society without my knowledge tonight?”

“Girlfriend?” I thought.

The entire room went silent.

Julian muttered under his breath,

“Well… this just got interesting.”

And I realized something important.

Whatever decision I made next—

Was about to change everything.