Page 10 of Insanium (Devil’s Playground)

The heavy door at the end of the hall opened with a soft groan, revealing an opulent lobby that felt like another step back in time.

“Well, isn’t this just charmingly creepy?” I mused out loud.

The space, which they’d aptly named The Grand Nocturne Hotel, had the air of old-world luxury, with its high, arched ceilings and walls lined with more portraits of masked figures that had earned a spot of remembrance.

Behind the front desk stood a plastic mannequin, eerie in its stillness, donning an LED mask that flickered with spectral light, giving it the impression of watching us.

On the glossy marble counter lay an assortment of room cards. The large-screen television mounted on the wall behind the desk displayed our names and room numbers. I’d been paired with Hael—not surprising, and more than fine with me.

“Look, Aisha, you got the golden boy. Treat him well; he’s delicate.”

She laughed, throwing a playful look at Raphael. “I’ll make sure he comes back in one piece.”

Raphael grinned, going along with it. “ I’m sure I’m in good hands.”

I glanced at the room numbers again, clocking that Eryx was with Liam, and Jerome with Maya. I noted the others and the names listed as “checked-out.”

“Seems they’ve already written off Tyler and what’s-her-name.”

“Hailey,” her friend rasped, voice cracking.

“Brutal,” Jerome commented.

“Yeah, well …” I shrugged.

The lights above us in the lobby started flickering off, one by one, leaving our group in darkness.

The flat screen in the room’s corner changed to a welcome message and began a five-minute countdown.

I couldn’t resist rolling my eyes and giving the screen a double middle-finger gesture; this was the Game Makers’ not-so-subtle attempt at pushing us forward.

“Rude much?” I remarked with a scoff, earning a chuckle from Hael, who then gently tugged at my hand.

“Let’s go find our room,” he suggested, plucking our key card from the desk with an effortless grace. The others, catching the hint, quickly grabbed their own cards and dispersed down the darkening hallway.

As we moved towards our assigned quarters, I glanced back over my shoulder to catch one last glimpse of the group. That’s when I saw it—a quick, secretive exchange of looks between Eryx and Raphael.

“Interesting,” I muttered to myself, filing it away for later.

We found our designated sanctuary easily enough.

Hael stood in front of me and pushed open the door.

We were greeted by an atmosphere thick with Gothic allure.

The room was dominated by a large four-poster bed draped in rich, dark fabrics.

Barred windows framed the moon outside. A food cart, covered with a pristine white cloth, was positioned in the room’s center.

“Looks like a scene from a horror romance novel,” I remarked. “Sweet dreams, everyone,” I called out before stepping inside with Hael.

Aisha echoed the sentiment from farther down the hall.

“At least it’s cozy,” Hael quipped as the door closed behind us with a definitive click.

I meandered through the room, carefully scanning each shadow and corner for hidden doors or potential entryways for unwelcome visitors.

Hael watched me curiously, his eyes following my every move.

My search turned up nothing suspicious—no concealed panels or mysterious crevices.

The only other exit was an archway leading to a powder room, devoid of an actual door, blending openness with a hint of seclusion.

The interior was strikingly lush, with walls bathed in deep red hues accented with golden fixtures, and the floor marbled with intricate veins of gold and black.

“What are you looking for?” Hael’s voice broke the silence, his tone laced with amusement.

“Just making sure we don’t have any hiding spots for surprise visitors tonight,” I replied without turning, my focus momentarily on the luxurious little bottles arranged neatly on the vanity. “And checking out the freebies,” I added, my voice tinged with sarcasm.

The towels were plush, the washcloths soft, and the soaps and lotions bore the label of one of the competing family’s luxury lines. I let out a snort of disbelief. “Looks like someone’s trying to turn this into a marketing opportunity.”

Hael chuckled, coming to stand in the doorway. “You think they’d miss a chance to push their brand?”

“Never. Not even during the apocalypse,” I joked, giving the faucet a twist and letting the cold water run over my hands after soaping them up.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, noting how good my hair still looked after everything, only one or two dark strands in disarray.

“Might as well smell like a million bucks with extra soft skin while dodging death traps and clowns.”

“Right. Do you wanna wash up, or sleep, or …?” Hael’s voice trailed off, his gaze lingering on me with an unspoken question.

I cut the water off with my elbow and dried my hands with a hand towel. “Let’s see if the food is edible first.”

Slipping by him, I gave his hip a playful nudge.

His laughter vibrated through the room, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

The solidness of his body was a reminder of how much he had changed from the adorable boy I’d first befriended to the stunning man now holding me as if I were the most precious thing in the world.

Did he realize he was just as much a treasure to me?

We stared at one another, our eyes locked in a moment that seemed to pause time around us.

“You’re so gorgeous,” I murmured, unable to keep the admiration from my voice. “I think I might be jealous.”

He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “That’s my line for you.

Minus the jealousy,” he replied, his gaze full of affection and a hint of something deeper, more intense.

“I know you didn’t want me here,” he murmured, his voice low, “but the thought of you doing Judicium alone … I was ready to burn this place down to keep you safe.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Burn this place down, huh? Well, I’m glad you’re here too. Not that I can’t handle myself, but it’s kinda nice not having to by my lonesome.”

He tightened his embrace briefly. “I know you can handle yourself. I’ve never doubted that for a second. Just remember, I’m here to watch your back, not just to admire how you handle everything thrown your way.”

I smirked, stepping away but keeping one hand on his arm. “Watching my back, or just watching me? There’s a fine line, Mr. Sinclair.”

“Perhaps a bit of both? Whichever one keeps you within my reach.”

His words hung between us, a playful yet earnest undertone that made my heart skip. I approached the cart, curiosity piqued, and lifted the metal dome with a flourish to reveal an array of sealed food items, neatly arranged and seemingly untouched by human hands, giving off an aura of safety.

“Look at this,” I said, picking up a sealed container.

Inside was a cheese and cracker platter, each piece perfectly portioned. Beside it were small bowls of fresh salad, the greens crisp and vibrant, each sealed tightly with a clear lid. “Even the food gets a full security detail here.”

Hael peered over my shoulder, his eyes scanning the assortment. “Makes you wonder whether they’re keeping something out, or keeping something in.”

I sat the lid aside and reached for a chilled bottle of water, its sides slick with condensation. “I’ll opt for keeping something out. Like doubt. Can’t have us second-guessing the only decent meal we might get in here.”

As I handed him a bottle, our fingers brushed, and a spark of connection jolted through me. “So, what’s your pick? Safe bets on anything that looks like it could survive a fall from a plane.”

Hael grinned, selecting a package containing a sandwich, its contents visible through the clear wrapping. “I’ll take the high-altitude sandwich, then. Looks like it could survive more than just a fall.”

We sat down on the edge of the bed, our temporary sanctuary filled with the soft rustling of wrappers, the tension of the day momentarily suspended. As we ate, Hael broke the companionable silence with a question that had obviously been on his mind.

“What do you think they’ve got planned for us next?”

I shrugged, focusing on unwrapping a particularly stubborn packet of crackers. “Honestly, I don’t even want to pretend to guess. If I end up wrong, I would be too embarrassed to go on.”

He nodded, accepting my evasion before steering the conversation toward a more delicate topic. “How do you think Aisha’s handling things? And … what do you make of Rafe?” His tone was casual, but I knew he was probing, searching for something more in my response.

I paused, meeting his gaze squarely. “You know Aisha’s tougher than she looks. She’ll be fine, though the same can’t be said for her sister. As for Rafe …”

I trailed off, choosing my words carefully. “I know how he presents himself, but no one that shiny would survive the Devil’s Playground. He’s … a puzzle I’m still figuring out.” My voice softened a bit. “What do you think of him?”

Hael chewed thoughtfully for a moment, his eyes flicking towards the doorway as if expecting Raphael to walk through it at any moment. “He seems solid. He’s got your back, that much is clear so far. But he’s also got his own agenda. Everyone here does.”

I leaned back, sipping from a bottle of water, combing back through the interactions I’d had with Raphael. “True. But that’s the game, isn’t it? We’re all here to play, and every player has their moves.”

“Just don’t let your guard down too quickly, Kennedy. Especially not with Eryx.”

I recapped my water and sat it back on the cart, rolling onto my side to face him. “I thought we were talking about the Golden Boy?”

“You think I don’t know you’ve got your sights set on the crazy one, too?” His tone is teasing yet edged with a deeper seriousness. “You’re playing chess with a couple of kings, and you’re looking to control the board.”

I laughed at his analogy. “Well, if we’re playing chess, then it’s better to have the kings on my side rather than against me, isn’t it? And who says I can’t enjoy the game while I’m at it? You’re one of my kings too, you know.”

“In that case, what could possibly top that role? Besides the queen, of course.”

“I think a soulmate. But I’m not sure if that term applies to chess.”

His smile slowly faded into a more contemplative expression as he gazed down at me intently. “You’ve only called me that once before.”

“And now twice,” I replied softly, a seriousness edging into my voice. “Platonic or otherwise, you’re basically one half of my genetic make-up at this point.”

The moment hung between us, rich and heavy, like the calm before a storm. I could feel the potential, the possibility, but I wasn’t one to dive headfirst without scanning the waters.

So, with a sigh that was half reluctance and half anticipation, I rolled off the bed and stretched my limbs luxuriously.

“Time for a quick freshen-up,” I announced, turning towards the bathroom. The mood had shifted, and I was aware of every inch of space he filled. I wasn’t scared—never that. Excited, thrilled, maybe even a little eager. But if there was one thing Kennedy Vetis didn’t do, it was rush.

She savored.

And first thing first, a girl had to wash up.