Page 54 of Blood Day (Blood Alliance #7)

I glanced at the royals and alphas in attendance, but the shadows continued to conceal their faces. I couldn’t even tell if they were watching her or busy with other activities. They were like this ominous dark cloud of power, hidden from our sight yet clearly present.

Prospect One stopped near the podium, her head bowing even more as she knelt. He hadn’t mentioned that requirement, but it was instinctual on our part to kneel.

Bow. Kneel. Supplicate. Survive.

The Magistrate’s focus remained on the long scroll of paper before him, his expression giving nothing away as he said, “Breeding farm.”

Prospect One seemed to freeze, which caused him to glance at her. “Continue along the stage to the stairs. Now .” The subtle rumble underlining his tone echoed via the microphone, causing my heart to skip a beat.

The blonde woman immediately stepped forward, her motions more brittle than before.

He ignored her entirely, his focus having returned to his scroll as he called for the next prospect.

That was it. A simple ceremony where our numbers were announced, followed by our designation, and then we wandered down the stairs to meet our fate.

Cedric had said this was all meant as entertainment for those who enjoyed observing our assignments. But it actually seemed to be a method for keeping the humans in line.

We were all orderly and obedient, walking up to the Magistrate and showing reverence where due, then accepting our?—

A scream screeched across the field as one of the females reacted to her designation. Moon chase. Just the mention of those two words stirred ice in my veins, but her visceral reaction only worsened the sensation.

However, her complaint was almost immediately silenced.

By a lycan slicing his claws across her throat.

Then he twisted off her head and set it by the entry stairs—not the exit ones—like some sort of morbid decoration. A warning for those ascending to the stage to not misbehave.

The Magistrate simply glanced at the display and shrugged before calling forward the next prospect.

I stared at the woman’s head for several minutes while the procession continued, my heart seemingly lodged in my throat. They just left her there like her life had meant nothing, all because she’d reacted.

Which violated one of the primary rules .

Perhaps she’d reacted on purpose. At least her death here had been quick.

Very unlike the moon chase.

Should I do that? I wondered.

But I immediately dismissed the notion.

Because no, I couldn’t do that. Not when there was still a chance that Cedric intended to help me. Where are you? I wondered for the millionth time.

However, before I could really fall into that hole again, the Magistrate began calling numbers in the four hundreds.

Already? I thought, my palms slickening.

Six brushed his knuckles against my hand for a final time.

And then I held my breath as he made his way up to the stage.

His auburn hair reminded me of blood beneath the pale moon, the visual making me ill. Please don’t die. Please don’t die. Please don’t die.

He wasn’t the type to react. Even when Master Peyton had tortured him, he’d maintained his silence. He appeared ready for his fate as he walked along the stage, his shoulders broad, his legs lean and muscled.

I would miss him.

He wasn’t a friend. Yet some part of me almost considered him my brother. We’d grown up together, always side by side, our numbers dragging us down this dark path to our destiny ahead.

But this was the fork in the road.

Where will you go? I wondered as he knelt by the podium.

The Magistrate lifted his gaze to inspect Six, his expression appraising as he gave a nod. “Hmm, an interesting choice indeed. ”

I held my breath. What does that mean?

“Prospect Four Hundred and Six, Year One Hundred Seventeen is now Immortal Cup Contestant Three.”

My lips parted. Immortal Cup? He’s going to the Immortal Cup?

Six didn’t appear fazed as he stood. He merely dipped his chin in acknowledgment and met a Vigil at the top of the stairs who started to lead him off to the side where the other two Immortal Cup contestants were seated near the stage.

“Prospect Four Hundred and Seven,” the Magistrate called, causing my heart to leap into my throat. I’d been so focused on Six that I had almost forgotten I was next.

Oh, I would not have as fortune a fate as him. Our scores were similar, but Cedric had already told me that I would never qualify.

Because none of it was truly based on scoring.

My knees shook as I started forward, my attention on the path ahead and then the stairs.

I quickly attempted to search for Cedric, but the royals and alphas were just as shadowed on the stage as they were from the crowd. I could only see Lilith on her throne, her golden hair gleaming beneath the moonlight.

I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.

Of course, she was already staring since I was next.

I hoped she hadn’t noticed my interest.

I hoped it wouldn’t be used against me.

I hope I survive this.

The Magistrate didn’t look at me like he did at Six. Instead, he kept his focus on his script. Not a good sign , I thought, swallowing as I knelt.

He cleared his throat and shuffled his papers a little, drawing out the moment while my pulse thudded wildly in my ears.

“Moon chase,” he announced.

Moon chase, I repeated, my heart stopping in my chest. I’m… I’m going to the moon chase.