Page 32 of The Book of Luke

Despite her scowl, I knew she believed me. “Why?”

“I’m volunteering for the Trial. If she wants me to throw it and go home, I will,” I answered. “She just has to say the word.”

“Why am I the messenger?”

“You’ll tell her off camera. And you’re still the most honest person I know.”

“That’s a shame for you.”

I stood to go downstairs, avoiding her eyes.

“What about me?” she asked. “Do I get to say the word too?”

She’d already vanished into the bathroom when I turned around to answer her.

16

2015

SEASON 20, EPISODE 1:

“The Viper Room”

After breakfast, Zara corralled the Devils to select men for the Trial. Despite Vanessa effectively eliminating herself, the producers would never omit a Trial from the season premiere. As we gathered in the living room, I mentally rehearsed my speech to volunteer. Obviously I’d never tell these lunatics the real reason, but nobody would dispute a sacrificial lamb. Then right before I raised my hand came Chrissy’s vacant drawl…

“Luke.”

What?

“Luke,” Aspen seconded.

They had to be fucking kidding.

Solana moued unconvincingly. “Sorry, sweetie… Luke.”

Apparently volunteering wouldn’t be necessary, but I was pissed nonetheless.

Melange shook her head in disbelief, platinum locks tumbling down her oversized designer T-shirt. “You peons are voting in the guy who won us the Tribulation?”

“He almost lost it too,” Chase countered coldly.

King Hartt summarily seized his conch. “Yo, it sucks, especially since we got close so quick, Luke… but you gotta earn your stripes, brother. Plus, you want revenge on Bal, yeah?”

I was—yet again—a stupid fucking idiot. At least I’d only indulged Hartt’s bullshit for twenty-four hours. This must have been his plan all along, ever since he’d lied to me about Imogen. Maybe it was exhaustion or that I was already prepared to fly home, but I no longer had any interest in being polite. I needed to test how screwed I actually was. “Okay, I’ll go against Bal.”

Hartt clapped theatrically, encouraging the others to join.

“… But if I come back, we should rotate who goes in. Maybe Chase or Aspen next time?” Both guys cut their eyes to Hartt, confirming what I should have seen instantly. “Except you already have an alliance, and I’m screwed regardless.”

Hartt hung his head with a sigh. “Whoa, dude, I don’t know what to say other than… you got us!” He smiled, pretense gone. “But you’re ballsy, old man, I’ll give you that.”

Even though I might go quietly for Erika, I certainly wouldn’t for Hartt. “So everybody’s cool risking me? PB, you seem smarter than that.”

“I wouldn’t look to Old Eyebrows for your life vest,” Hartt said with a derisive laugh. “He knows you’re the only thing keeping his ass out of the Arena.”

PB saluted grimly. “Always a pleasure to watch you dabble in brinksmanship, Hartt.”

I leaned in, pushing my last appeal. “You all seriously want your strongest guy gone?”