The Similars (The Similars #1)(38)

Pippa points to some of the other captions. “There’s Booker Ward and Jane Porter,” she says. “Oliver’s parents.”

They look so young in the photograph; it’s almost painful to see them so carefree.

“And look who else,” Pippa says. “Ezekiel Choate. Jake’s father.”

I move to another photo, still scanning the names. Damian Leroy, Tessa’s dad, was in the Ten too. Of course, there are lots of other names I don’t recognize. John Underwood. Camila Garcia. Albert Seymour. Wait, I know that last name, don’t I? But from where? I’m too distracted to wonder long. I keep returning to look at my father’s image, and Booker’s and Jane’s.

“I knew my dad and Jane and Booker were friends when they went to Darkwood, but I never knew they were actually in the Ten together,” I say.

The door opens, and the rest of the group starts streaming in. First Maude and Theodora, followed by Madison, who saunters directly behind them, not even acknowledging her Similar. She perches herself by the door and checks her plum every five seconds as it ticks toward midnight. I try not to stare at the door, but I can’t help it. When Levi finally slips through it at the last minute, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Welcome to the second midnight session of the school year,” Madison announces as we grab seats around the circle. “We have a new member to usher into our fold today.” She looks about as excited to welcome Pippa as she would be to get a root canal. “Since one of your classmates has had the nasty luck to be otherwise occupied.”

“In a coma.” Tessa stands in the doorway. She repeats, “Prudence is in a coma.”

“You’re late,” Madison grumbles, though Tessa acts like she hasn’t heard her. “As I was saying, welcome, Pippa. This really is an unexpected development. It certainly isn’t the group I envisioned when I agreed to be this year’s Ten Leader.”

Maude raises her hand.

“Yes,” Madison answers. “Did you have something to say?” I notice she doesn’t address Maude by name.

“It was never our intention to disturb your vision for this year’s Ten,” Maude says steadily, offering up a weak smile. “In other words, we come in peace.”

“Did you come in peace when you defied my parents’ orders to never show your face at this school? Did you come in peace when you stood on stage at assembly, throwing their generosity in their faces? Did you come in peace when you cheated on the stratum test so you could outdo me?”

“If that’s how you see things,” Maude says quietly, “I’m sure I won’t be able to convince you otherwise.”

“It’s midnight,” I interrupt. “Can we get on with whatever tonight’s agenda is? And no, I didn’t bring the name of a student who isn’t ‘living up to your standards,’ like you asked us to last time. I refuse.”

Madison glowers at me before responding. “That’s a shame, Emma. But I’ll give you a pass—for now. Because tonight, we have something different planned for you. For all of you.”

Tessa nods, jumping in. “It’s time to test your commitment to Darkwood and to the Ten.”

Test our commitment? What does that even mean? Did we not do this before our last meeting? I shoot a look at Pippa. She shrugs. We don’t have time to wonder long. Before I know what is happening, Tessa is standing over me, and I feel a tingle in my upper arm. And then—blackness.

The darkness only lasts a minute, maybe less, though it’s hard to tell. When I open my eyes again, I’m still sitting in the Tower Room. The other Ten members are in their chairs. Nothing’s different, except I feel different. So loose, almost comfortable.

“New Ten members, the seniors took the liberty of giving you an injective,” Madison says. “Don’t worry, it’s completely harmless. Tessa and I have taken it ourselves before, and we can guarantee that it will have no lasting effect on you.”

Like I believe a word she says about anything. But I’ve heard my dad talk to his colleagues about pharmas my entire life. It’s unlikely that Madison and Tessa have procured an injective so powerful it could kill us. At least, I hope that’s the case.

“You drugged us?” Pippa asks. Her voice sounds far away.

“Think of the injective like a dear old friend. One who will simply guide you through this next exercise.”

“Which is?” I ask. My voice is calm. I feel like I should be angry. Furious, even. But I’m not. I’m relaxed. Too relaxed.

“Divulging your most hidden secrets,” Madison says. “By sharing them with us, with each other, you’ll form a bond. One that can never be broken or cast aside.”

“You’ll trust each other implicitly,” says Tessa. “By virtue of knowing each other’s deepest thoughts. The thoughts you never share with anyone. The sentiments you might not even realize are buried in the recesses of your minds.”

I glance over at Pippa again. She doesn’t look concerned. Neither do the others. I stare at Levi. He is still and his face is expressionless. I want to run, but I remain seated. It must be the injective.

“We’ll start with you, Theodora,” Tessa prompts. “It’s time to reveal the secrets of your heart.”

We all watch Theodora, who, like the rest of us junior Ten members, is neither agitated nor upset by what’s being asked of her. She speaks.