Page 189 of Blood Day

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.