Page 20 of Monsterland Mayhem

I startle, surprised to feel Craze’s hold around me again. It’s different from the water, mainly because I’m aware of him now. Of his voice. His smile.His violent cards.

But as he smirks down at me, I don’t feel fear. I just feel… relieved.

Because I didn’t break my neck.

I’m still alive.

And for a moment, I simply breathe.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he says with a twinkle in his dark eyes. Then he winces. “Sorry, I mean,Ailsa.” He frowns. “But youreally are beautiful.” A note of reverence underlines his words, his gaze tracking over my features.

“Thank you.” The two words just sort of tumble from my mouth. I’m not sure if I’m thanking him for the compliment or for catching me or for everything thus far. But I… I mean the sentiment.

“No need to thank me, Ailsa. I’ll always catch you,” he promises me, his declaration eliciting a shiver from deep inside. Because that almost sounds like a vow of protection.

Although, I suppose that may also be a threat.

The dark glitter in his irises makes it impossible to tell.

“Why are you helping me?” I ask, studying his expression for any tells. But all I see is the skull makeup, his features utterly masked.

Although, I do catch a slight hint of dimples as he grins at me. “How about a new game, hmm?” He starts walking while he speaks, carrying me as though I weigh nothing at all. “Quid pro quo—I answer one of your questions and you answer one of mine.Andyou let me lead for a bit.”

I frown. “Lead for a bit in what way?”

“I want to carry you for a while,” he clarifies. “The Hot Chocolate Fields are dangerous, and I don’t want to risk you stepping on a fudge bomb.”

“A…?” I almost repeat that last part but shake my head. Because what’s the use? If I keep echoing every strange thing he says, I’ll simply become a parrot. So rather than ask what the heck a Hot Chocolate Field is, I opt for a different path. “Where are we going?”

“That’s two questions,” he murmurs. “Agree to my game first and I’ll answer one.”

“Why does it have to be a game?”

“That’s now three, but I’ll answer this one as a freebie,” he says, glancing around before taking a large step.

I don’t bother looking down to see what he’s doing. I keep my focus on him and not the subtle tic in his jaw.

“Games are enjoyable,” he tells me. “But honestly, I want to play this one so I can get to know you better.”

“Why?” I ask, baffled by this man. “Why me?”

“That’s another question, Ailsa. I believe you owe me an answer first.”

“I haven’t agreed to your game,” I point out.

“Which is why I’m not obligated to respond to any of your inquiries,” he returns with another smile. “So the choice is yours. Do you want to play a game with me or not?”

CHAPTER SIX

CRAZE

The little rabbitstares up at me, her blue eyes a swirl of confusion and exhaustion. It’s been a chaotic day for her, and unfortunately, that sense of chaos will only continue.

She’s in Monsterland now. Nothing will ever be the same for her again.

I step over another fudge bomb while waiting for Ailsa to make her choice. She seems to have a knack for picking the most dangerous paths imaginable, first by heading straight toward the Tweedle brothers instead of running away from them.

And then by bolting straight into a Gum Tree that landed her in the Hot Chocolate Fields.