Page 10

I sucked in a breath as we finally made it through the mansion’s double doors and into a large foyer.

The place was a gothic dream on steroids.

A huge double-sided staircase lined with maroon velvet carpet and trimmed in elegant golden finishings loomed before us.

A grand piano sat to the side, its keys plunking away at the touch of a phantom hand.

The walls were lined with old brass-framed portraits—holding depictions of whom I had no idea.

Every spare space left was filled with draping curtains, cobwebs, and whatever tiny insects hung in their midst. A broken chandelier dangled above where the flickering candles cast a fractured light over the room, setting a moody atmosphere.

“This is so cool,” Lou marvelled behind me, clearly forgetting her recent scare. “I’d love to have a house like this.”

“Remind me never to visit,” I said with a dry smile. “Still, it’s better in here than out there.”

“Famous last words,” Dick said glumly. He scuffed his shoe on the ground and released a long, world-weary sigh.

His blond hair was matted with blood and hung limply over his eyes.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guy.

It was clear he’d never wanted to enter these trials in the first place, much less rule a kingdom.

His parents must be some A-grade assholes to force him into this death race.

When I’d first met Dick, I’d thought he’d never survive this place and all the horrible things the Masters and Celeste had thrown at us.

How wrong I’d been. Of all people, I should have known better than to judge a book by its cover.

Dick was skinny and small, yes—less so now thanks to Kayden’s workout regimes—but what he lacked in strength he more than made up for with a big heart and endless courage.

He was loyal, and you couldn’t put a price on that.

“It’ll be okay, Dick,” I offered cheerily. “We’ve got each other. As long as we stick together, nothing will bring us down.”

“Exactly,” Kendra chimed in, looping an arm through his. She winked at him. “We’ve been to hell and back. What more can they throw at us?”

Those blue eyes brightened as he glanced up, shimmering a little suspiciously like tears. “Thanks, guys. I’m lucky to have met you.”

Ace scoffed from where he leaned against a wall, and I threw him a warning glare. The bastard just smirked, and of course, my traitorous eyes tracked those damnable lips. His grin widened as he caught me staring, his own gaze sliding down my body, seemingly undressing me.

My body heated, recalling the way he’d kissed me before.

It wasn’t angry, nor did it seem like a simple release of pent-up energy.

It was all-consuming. Like he’d filtered all of his feelings into that one touch.

And what he’d said… I may have waved it off at the time, but what had he meant?

He said he’d fight for me. Did that mean he’d back down when the crown was up for grabs?

It was all so confusing, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t excite me. The game of cat and mouse and pretending we hated each other had been fun for a while, but having the real thing would be so much better. Because… I did want him.

Fuck. My heart thrummed wildly in my chest at the sudden realisation.

I wanted all of him. Every fucked-up part of that dark soul.

Every secret, every sensation, and all the soft little spaces hidden away.

There was so much more to Ace than he let anyone know, but I would find it.

I’d pull it all out of him until he was mine.

That little bit of vulnerability from him before… that was enough to prove he had the creamy core of someone who cared. It was just hidden behind that bad-boy exterior. And, oh, was I going to relish that when I got a taste. He had become something I craved.

Kendra and Lou spoke hurriedly, Kendra asking if she was okay and Lou pointing out the way the portraits’ eyes looked like they followed you.

The sound brought me back to the moment.

When my gaze refocused on Ace, I found his grey eyes staring inquisitively, his head cocked ever so slightly as if studying me and my thoughts.

The filthy, salacious smile I sent back took even him off guard.

We’ll pick this up later , I promised with a look.

He said nothing. He merely raised his arms behind his head and lounged against the wall, a satisfied smirk on his face.

“We should look for clues or something that could test our minds,” Noah suggested as he eyed me. “May as well try to figure this out.”

I sighed. “You’re right. Let’s get this shit show on the road. But everyone should stick together—no wandering off into new rooms until we’re all ready. Anything could happen here.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Zane said with a salute. “But uhh, what exactly are we looking for?”

“Um… Honestly, I have no idea. Just be careful.”

“It’s the Trial of the Mind. It’s likely to be something mental, not physical. Something we can problem-solve,” Noah said.

Kayden scoffed. “Mental? Tell that to the bodies piling up outside.”

Everyone fell silent at that. But the moment was interrupted by a bang that made me jump.

I whirled to find a stream of Potentials staggering in, caked in blood and other unpleasant liquids.

With the last one inside, we closed the doors and barred them using furniture in the room.

Once that was done everyone seemed unsure what to do next.

“They killed them all,” a girl with brown doe eyes and long brown hair said. “There’s… there’s no one left. We’re all that remains.”

Kayden’s expression turned to an angry storm.

I did a quick head count. Only 26 Potentials stood in the foyer…

34, including my group. I eyed off the remaining Potentials, categorising which seemed most likely to last the day.

It was a habit I’d developed from doing my father’s dirty work, but one that came in handy in these kinds of situations.

Other partnerships had developed among the Potentials, with some tending to each other’s injuries, doing their best to staunch bleeding wounds or create makeshift canes or casts out of furniture scraps.

A few stood in their smaller groups and whispered amongst themselves, no doubt evaluating their chances the same as I was.

It was clear I had the largest group. But alliances may still have time to forge between now and the end.

Movement in the foyer was minimal. It seemed most Potentials were still in a state of shock.

I couldn’t blame them, with all that death, but it shouldn’t have been surprising.

This was, after all, the third and final trial.

Out of this small pool, someone would be crowned.

It was as sobering a thought as any. We’d all come so far and worked so hard.

When a Potential was picked, what happened to the remaining survivors?

Did they return to their families? Would they be shamed and rejected, or would their efforts here make them heroes?

I knew what awaited me should I fail. Victrus had told me not to return—had threatened me the very night I was kidnapped from my bed and brought to the academy.

Of course, I had no intentions to go back into that snake pit except maybe to cut off the head of the serpent himself.

Or smuggle my siblings out and get them somewhere safe, hidden from my father’s eyes. And he had many throughout Terrulia.

As queen, however… I knew more than enough to have my parents brought before a court of law.

His empire? I’d crumble it like dirt between my fingers.

No more human trafficking or slave trade in the crystal farms. No more drug smuggling, assassinations, and whatever other shady business House Auger was conducting.

Stormcrest City deserved better. All the cities did.

“We’re going to check the adjoining rooms for any clues or possible exits,” I offered to the new faces. “You’re welcome to join us.”

A few of them seemed relieved to hear that, but others looked at me with visible disgust and prejudice on their faces. Right. I was Auger scum, how could I forget?

“I’d rather hang out with the monsters than spend another minute in your presence,” one guy spat. Literally spat at me, like I was the foulest thing he’d ever encountered.

Kendra stepped to my side; her small hands fisted. “The fuck you say?! You wanna try that again?”

The guy sneered as he shoved her back. “You heard me, desert trash. I hope this place destroys that slut.”

I bristled but held a hand up as, without a word, all four of my guys lurched forward.

The guy opposite had the decency to shrink under their stares, but he held his ground as a few other men backed him. “What? Not going to let your guard dogs do your dirty work?”

“And why would I need them to do that”—I asked sweetly, stepping in front of Kendra until I was face to face with him—“When I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself?”

With one swift movement, I grabbed the dude’s balls in my hand and hoisted them up, squeezing as I did. His face reddened as he gasped from the unexpected assault. He seemed unable to speak. His friends inched forward.

“Uh, uh,” I said while clicking my tongue and raising a finger on my free hand.

I twisted the jewels in my hand slightly and the guy vomited at my feet.

His friends backed off immediately as I leaned in close, whispering in his ear.

“It’s one thing to insult me, but I won’t tolerate you doing so to my friend.

You might think we’re trash, but I promise you, our bodies won’t be the ones left to rot like garbage by the end of this trial.

” I let his balls go and turned my back on him. “Best of luck, pencil dick.”

Behind me, I heard him sink to his knees with a gasp. I was sure his friends crowded around him, staring daggers at me. Maybe I should have been concerned about a knife in the back, but there was now a wall of muscle behind me only an idiot would try to break.

“Anyone else have any other lovely sentiments to share?” A mix of bewildered faces and chuckles met me, but not a single Potential spoke. “No? Great. If you want to join us, you’re welcome. Otherwise, keep your bad manners to yourself.”

I retreated to a corner of the room and ran my fingers over my eyes. Okay, sure, maybe I lost my cool a little, but I was so freaking tired of this bullshit. There were already enough monsters to go around without adding these pricks.

“Fallon,” Noah asked, pulling me out of my inner rage. “Are you okay?”

A tired smile was the best I could offer. “Yeah, just a little on edge, I guess. Now is not the best time for people to test me.”

I didn’t need to mention why. My sister’s face flashed before my eyes again, and I instinctively winced.

Noah took my hand and caressed it gently with his thumb.

His honey-brown eyes were so gentle and knowing when I looked at them.

He was so kind. So good . He pressed a kiss to my hand, then a soft, gentle peck to my lips, and left it at that.

Despite the slower burn, Noah seemed to know me so well—my tells, my masks, all of it. I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Let’s get out of this dump, Starfish,” Zane said softly, appearing by my side and lifting me into an embrace. “Help me search for some clues? Dolphin Detective, on the case.”

“Dolphin Detective?” I grinned as he set me down. “Do I even want to know?”

“Babe,” he responded, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, “you just sit back and watch Zaney crack the mysteries of this mansion. This Trial of the Mind is just like a clam. You gotta pry it open gently, then tickle its pink bits until you find the shiny pearl at the end. I’mma win that pearl for you, Starfish, you’ll see. ”

I chuckled, instantly feeling better as I watched him knock on walls and search behind pictures, nooks, and crannies.

Before long, most of the Potentials were doing the same.

We quickly learned both the main entrance, after removing the barricade of furniture, and all other doors leading out were somehow sealed.

Brute force didn’t seem to make a difference to this either.

It appeared the Masters wouldn’t be letting us leave until they were good and ready, or until we found some sort of secret lever.

Minutes or hours went by with nothing to indicate how to leave.

Kendra, Lou, and I were testing the fireplace for any hidden grooves when a loud beep sounded through the room, followed by the lengthy groan of a door swivelling open somewhere.

On cue, the piano’s creepy sonnet plunked to a discordant halt.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Dick muttered from where he’d half-hidden himself behind Kayden.

“You always have a bad feeling,” Kayden retorted, clapping Dick on the shoulder.

“And I’m usually right,” Dick said sulkily. “I—I don’t wanna go.”

Kayden sighed. “Look, other Potentials are going through the door and they’re all still standing. Come on. Angel, get that fine ass over here.”

I bit my lip, feeling as apprehensive as Dick, with my stomach tying itself in knots from the instinct to avoid whatever lay ahead. The truth was, there was no other option. We had to keep moving.

Kendra took my hand in hers and squeezed once, giving me a nod of encouragement. With a small sigh, we lined up behind the other Potentials moving forward. Almost 20 had passed through without harm, easing my stress a little.

Until another beep sounded.

Zane walked behind Kayden, Noah, and Ace into the next room while I waited for Kendra to pull Lou away from the apparently fascinating room.

But at that beep, Zane looked over his shoulder in alarm at the same moment I turned back to him.

Those gorgeous green eyes were the last thing I saw before the door snapped shut behind him.

“No,” I gasped, running to the door and wrenching the handle. “Fuck, no. Zane?! Guys?”

No answer. Just a cold, dead silence, interrupted only by solid steel bars that slid across the doorway.

I turned to Lou, Kendra, and Dick, spying another six Potentials left stranded in the middle of the foyer with us.

“We’re on our own. We’re trapped,” the girl with brown hair and eyes said solemnly. A haunted look ghosted across her face, and she sank to her knees. Tears filled her eyes, and a sob wracked her spine as she began crying, the picture of defeat.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Lou said, kneeling before her. “We’ll be okay.”

Kendra and I joined, each putting an awkward hand on the girl’s shoulders. “We’re all going to make it,” I said, nodding my head in encouragement. But it was a promise I knew I couldn’t keep.