Page 125 of Cruel Pleasures

It doesn’t take long for me to come across the huge, roided out man Imani had mentioned—he’s the minotaur that the Hostess hired to terrorize the players. He stands guard over the same exit I’m assuming Imani came across.

But when I pass through, he knows better than to come after me. If he’s who I believe him to be, he remembers all too well what happened the last time we faced off. Even if it’s been many years.

A few passages through hedges later, I cross the next living being. The last original player plops to the ground after sustaining a deep gash to the throat. He’s been taken out by society members. Nolan and Cromwell on a joint killing spree. Both men throw their heads back in roaring laughter.

The players have fought for two weeks hoping for their freedom and a cash prize. Tonight was supposed to finally be the opportunity for one of them to win. Now none of them will.

Nolan and Cromwell find this turn of events hilarious ’til Cromwell’s laughter dies out and he elbows Nolan in the side.

“The other one,” he says. “The pretender. The fake Sasha Newton.”

“You’re right… where is she anyway?”

“I saw her running from the maze a few minutes ago. I’m almost certain Kimura or Hurst was protecting her. I didn’t see his face, but someone was helping her out.”

At the pivot in conversation, I ease further back and use the nearest hedge to block myself from their view. The timing is perfect because both men glance around the area in the next second.

Nolan’s mouth twists from bitterness. “Of course they were helping that bitch. There’s no other way she’d still be alive. But all the better. You know what that means?”

“I’ll go east. You go west. One of us will get her.”

They part on these terms, heading off in opposite directions. I seek out Cromwell first since he’s closer. He barely has a chance to react before I’m coming up from behind and slitting open his throat.

One buffoon down. One more to go.

Nolan is just as easy to track down. But he’s already dead.

I find him planted face down on the pavement as I approach the side of the house. Someone killed him only feet away from a door leading inside.

Ryu and Imani.

I step over Nolan’s body and follow their trail.

Ryu must’ve found Imani after we got separated. I’d told her to find the nearest exit. Knowing Ryu, he was watching and swooped in the moment she was alone. It seems we’ve both failed at keeping away. Neither of us lasted even a day.

I had tried to resist Imani, even as the Hostess announced her plan to the masses. As I strode out into the hall, turning my back on her, I found I couldn’t do it. Not when walking away meant the Hostess—Mother—would win.

The complicated nature of our relationship will be sorted out.

But that’ll come after we sort out this current threat. Once we make it through tonight.

By process of elimination, I go where Ryu would most likely take Imani.

The Hostess’s private chamber connects to a passage that leads to one of the only alternate exits off the premises.

The door opens when I try the knob.

The scene before me speaks for itself. Ryu and Imani hover on one side of the room. On the other, the Hostess addresses them, still perfectly put together in her masquerade ball gown.

“Excellent,” she says. “I’ve been wondering when you’d make it up here. Now the final round can truly begin.”

The three divert their attention in my direction as soon as they realize someone else has walked in. I ignore Ryu and Imani and focus on the Hostess.

Otherwise known as the woman who gave birth to me.

“Hello, Mother,” I greet, putting on my best patronizing smirk. “Were you having a get-together without your dearest son?”

She rears back as if I’ve shone a harmful light on her. “This isn’t the time for antics.”