Page 44

The Guild of the Crooked

Grace

The sun is warm on my face as I run through the green garden around the house. My bare feet feel the soft grass under me as Fallon chases me, our laughter echoing through the forest beyond. Mom tills the garden beds while Dad cooks us lunch, the scent of savory meat wafts through the windows. It’s a perfect day together. I giggle frantically as Fallon grasps for my shirt, almost grazing me as I swirl around a corner.

“You can’t catch me, Fallon. I’ve always been faster than you.”

My brother’s deep laugh echoes through the chill air. “Keep running, Grace. Don’t get caught!”

My laugh flitters through the coastal wind, the fresh ocean air making my nose cold. I cut across the patches of dirt and head back for the grass.

“Run, Grace!” The sudden urgency in his voice has me spinning to meet him.

I look around to find the world now towers over me; the radiant sunflowers reach into the sky as I shrink smaller and smaller with each passing step.

“Grace! Where are you? Stay with me!” Fallon shrieks, his voice frantic.

I continue to shrink as the sky darkens, gloomy storm clouds blow into the sky above us. Wind howls, pushing me over and over until I’m tumbling through the tall grasses.

“Fallon! I’m here!” I call from the dark grass, grasping the blades with all my might. Thunderous steps pound into the ground, tossing me into the air with each step. The enormous feet stop right before me, and the giant crouches to peer over me. I look up to see a cruel face leering at me.

“There you are, my little mouse.” Icy eyes peer down at me with a sharp feline smile.

My heart jolts as I’m thrown awake, my body startling as I open my eyes. I lurch up, feeling a wet gleam on my face while my heart races in my chest. I glance around, my body lying wet and exhausted, washed up onto shore before tall emerald grass. “It was just a dream.” I sigh, falling back onto the hard ground.

It’s becoming dark as I pant on the rocky shore. I sigh and close my eyes. I got away. A faint smile crosses my lips as warm air touches my face. I cannot believe I made it. Now I just need to stay hidden until Ro can find me. Another round of warm air brushes my face. I’m so tired, if I can just find a place to rest and hide.

I listen to the sound of babbling water around me; the roar has been silenced and relaxed into a softer stream. Crickets are starting to sound in the grasses, their beautiful music mixes with the whoosh of the tall grass. I feel little patters of wind on my face, almost like someone breathing on me.

I squint an eye open and see a little green leaf-like creature in front of my face, stroking my cheek. It wears a simple pale white flower on its head, similar to the ones I saw earlier in the tall grasses. I inhale sharply in shock but do not move. Its long, little body curves to the right with the pearl-like flower dangling in front of my eyes. I watch as a little leaf arm shaped as a fin slaps my eyeball, the force feeling like a speck of wind. The leaf creature chirps like a songbird, studying me.

“Hi,” I whisper.

The cute leaf startles slightly, looking quizzically to my mouth. After inspecting me, it comes back to my eyeball. It slaps again, making another chirp. It hops away from me a few steps, going toward the plains, and turns back to me expectantly.

“You want me to follow?” I ask incredulously.

The creature chirps a reply and hops away further into the towering grass. I take a moment to look around. I lie in the middle of nowhere. As far as I can tell, I am alone.

Am I really about to follow a miniature walking flower into the grass?

I shrug and pull myself into a crouch, wobbling slightly. I slowly crawl after the creature into the unknown. I have a weird sense of dread as I crouch through the plains. What other creatures lie in these grasses waiting for me?

“Hey, little chirpy, where did you go?” I whisper. I can’t see anything in here. I hear nothing as I swirl around, looking for a leaf in a sea of green.

“Leafy?” I call a little louder.

This is ridiculous. I should just stand up and see where I’m going. Bless me, I am following a leaf. For all I know, I imagined the thing. I am probably concussed and bleeding internally, not to mention the blood loss and drowning.

I start to stand when I hear chirps from far away. They echo across the barren lands, acting like a wave of birds. I’ve lived in the woods long enough to know a warning call when I hear one. I crouch back down to see a familiar white flower run from the grass, chirping.

I get down on my hands and knees, trying to become as small as I can in the chilled blades. I stare at the little creature as it goes silent. A wave of air rushes through the grasses, tickling my face as they wave. Large pumps of wind sound in the sky above me, powerful wings slowly scouring the area. My heart starts to beat louder as I realize who it is.

“Kitten? Where are you?” A familiar cold voice sings in the sky. “I’ve thought things over, kitten, and I forgive you.”

My body tenses as fear drives its dagger into my heart. I break into a cold sweat as my teeth clench. I watch my new friend below me, its white iridescent flower looks to the sky, tracking the threat.

“I hear your little heart thundering, human. It betrays you. I know you’re here,” he calls down. “If you make me look for you, I’m going to get upset, Grace.”

This is it, he’s going to find me. I had no chance to get away from him. I hold myself in my arms as I look to the little creature. I smile at it sadly. “Thanks for trying to help me,” I whisper.

It chirps to me.

And then chirps louder.

And louder, until it is singing in the grass.

My heart freezes; it’s going to get me caught.

All of a sudden, a wave of chirps flows through the grass, overwhelming all sounds. They sing loudly until their calls become piercing. I clamp my hands over my ears and look at the creature. It’s jumping madly and pointing its little fins, telling me to run. I waste no time, jumping to my feet and running through the crowd of magical birds, keeping my head below the grass. I can’t see where I’m going, but I don’t care, as long as it’s away from him.

An animalistic roar echoes across the land, silencing the chirps, and I freeze in fear. What in the blazes was that? I’m frozen, panting as I stare behind me. Grass sways gently in the wind, rustling its long leaves. The chirping starts back up not too far from me, a warning, and I start to run again. I don’t care about hiding anymore, I sprint for my life. Leaves whip my face, scratching my arms and catching on my pants. My boots are still soggy as they squish into the ground with every step.

Growls rumble behind me as screeches fill the darkening skies. They echo behind me as chirps direct me to where he is. It’s getting closer. The animalistic sounds vibrate my chest as fear thrums in my veins. I have no weapons, I am in the middle of nowhere, and an angry creature is chasing me. What strengths do I have in this?

I have blood.

I stop, getting an idea. I quickly step on the grass, stomping it down into a large circle. I take off my belt and inspect the buckle with my shaking hands. I look at the pin and test the point on my fingertip. It’s dull. I’m going to have to use force to make this work. I hear a snarl close by, startling me and making me drop the belt. I drop to my knees, picking the leather up. Without hesitation, I do what needs to be done, quickly taking the point and dragging it into my arm. I wince, swallowing a scream as I force the dull pin into my flesh. Immediately, blood flows down my wrist and trails off of my fingers, falling to the ground in a small puddle .

I accidentally drop the bloody belt. My hands and arms shaking from the trauma and fear. I pant, pick the belt back up, and quickly run out of sight, hiding in the tall grass beyond the circle. I crouch, waiting for the creature to appear. I really hope this works.

I tremble as I peek from the grass, holding my hand over the wound and putting pressure on my arm. Movement catches my eyes as a tan creature slowly stalks into the circle. The green striped pattern on its wiry fur blends in with the tall grass. The large cat-like beast is the size of a bull, with sharp teeth extending from its mouth. Its whiskers tremble as its nose shakes, scenting my blood. The beast’s mouth opens slightly, heavy pants exuding from its chest. It comes in further with silent soft steps, its massive-clawed paws moving closer to the bloody puddle. A deep rumble sounds from its chest, vibrating my heart. Fear fills me, my breathing shaky as I watch him.

I swallow deeply. When I thought of this plan, I didn’t realize he was going to be so big. I stare at it for a moment longer, his tongue lapping at the blood. I reach for my bloody belt and slowly, carefully, crouch through the grass until I’m nearly behind it. I come out of hiding, stalking him, eyeing his size. This is like climbing the Elder Tree all over again. He’s crouched slightly as his head is lowered to the ground, licking at the blood coating the grass.

It’s now or never.

I leap onto his side. The creature roars wildly, shaking and jumping, trying to buck me off. I hold on for dear life, gripping its coarse hair and climbing onto its back. I squeeze my thighs, keeping a strong grasp on its fur. My belt swings wildly, slapping me in the face. The creature’s growls course through my body like the roar of war, vibrating me to my very soul.

I scream, a battle cry, as I inch my way up to his thick neck. He throws his head around, trying to lay his sharp teeth into my leg. I screech as he gets close, his long fang nicking through my pants, cutting my calf. My bloody hand carries the belt, bringing it up to his neck, throwing it around his throat. I try to catch the swinging end, but he bucks, almost throwing me off. My grip is deadly, my fingers aching, as I’m latched onto his hair again for dear life. This time, biting into his flesh to keep from falling off. I swing the blood-coated belt again, catching it in my hand and grasping it tight.

I push my whole weight into wrestling the leather around his throat. The bloody belt threatens to slip from my fingers as it continues to slide from my grasp. The beast thrashes under me as I try to suffocate it. I scream, holding on desperately, using all my strength to throttle him.

The creature screeches and roars wildly, its cries reaching far and wide, before suddenly slamming its side into the ground, trapping me under him. I cry out in pain under his weight, my leg snapping as he slams down. The pain is intense as he writhes on me. It takes the distraction of my agony to buck his head backward, knocking me in my face before it propels itself forward. The movement yanks the smooth, leathery belt from my grip as it slips through my fingers.

“No!” I scream out.

The beast uses the opportunity to shake me off. He stands up and lets me fall to the hard ground. With my broken leg, I am done for. I cannot run, I have no other weapon. I stare at the creature as he spins to me, his angry green eyes locking onto me. It roars, crouching as he stalks toward me. It moves with unparalleled grace as each paw touches the ground. The creature’s movement is in complete control as his eyes watch me hungrily, panting heavily. I become face-to-face with the beast as I feel puffs of his hot breath. I close my eyes tightly, turning my head away, ready to be eaten.

“You are quite annoying.” A familiar voice grumbles.

My eyes snap open as I whip my head forward. Acteem is crouched in front of me, an evil smirk on his face.

“It was good effort, love, but you never stood a chance.” He boops my nose with his finger.

I am speechless as I pant. “You were that creature,” I say my realization out loud.

“It’s called a Magzul. It’s extinct now thanks to your mate.”

“I thought you were going to eat me,” I whisper, my heart still pounding.

“I thought about it. I was quite upset you made me come down here. Those little Atomies are so irritating with their little chirps and minuscule swords that give you splinters.” Acteem quickly lashes out and grabs onto my broken leg, clamping it in his fingers like long individual vises, making me cry out in pain.

“I am so sorry, does that hurt?” He digs his fingers in tighter, and I scream, making my broken bone crackle under his grip. I try to desperately fight his hand off me, but he is too strong. Tears fall down my face as the pain overrides me.

“My sad little whore. What will Ro say when he finds out about us?” He lets go of my leg and goes for my throat. My face is wet from tears as he forces me to look at him. “I think I’m owed a kiss, my love.”

“Fuck you.” I spit into his face.

Acteem’s jaw clenches tightly, a muscle ticking along his cheek. He looks at me with disgust in his eyes, right before he forces his lips onto me. Acteem pries open my mouth and sticks his tongue in, tasting me, playing with me. I try to recoil, but he holds me firm.

He lets go of me, a sadistic smile on his face. “Perhaps we should finish what we started earlier.”

Fear shudders inside me as I tremble. “Don’t.”

Acteem laughs darkly. “But you asked for me. You wanted me to bring you your pleasure, remember?” He cocks his head playfully as he smiles wide.

I glance around, looking for anything to stop him. I am not strong enough for this God. I have no chance to fend him off.

But Ro can.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” I warn him.

“And why is that? You taste so beautifully, I bet your pussy is just as good.”

I shudder in disgust. “Because Ro is almost here,” I lie quickly.

I watch his face fall as he eyes me. We stare at each other for a long while before he speaks.

“You’re lying.”

I smile. “You know the thing about mates? We can talk in our heads. He’s been right on your tail this whole time. He found where we were earlier before I fell in the river. He’s almost here. I would keep us moving if I were you, but if not, that’s fine with me too.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re lying .”

“Maybe.” I shrug. “But do you want to take the chance?”

His cold eyes watch me, silently assessing me. Finally, rough hands grab me, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. “You’re no fun.”

Acteem crouches down and lifts off the ground, the grass under us moving in the powerful gust of wind. My eyes flicker shut as we fly higher, relief filling my heart and silencing my gut.

Ro, where are you?

I awake to a slap on my ass.

“Wake up, my darling, we’re here.” Acteem snickers.

I am going to kill this asshole.

I rub at my sleepy eyes, my head throbbing from being held over his shoulder for hours. I look down over his white shimmering wings and see gold. Gold buildings, gold roofs, gold walkways, gold everywhere. This must be that city Pearl was talking about, the wealthy capital. Dark shadows still grace the ground, but the tops of the buildings shine from the first morning’s rays. They reflect our bodies as we fly over the gleaming roofs.

We touch down in the middle of the massive city, right in front of the biggest golden palace I have ever seen. I have never seen the King’s Castle in Halla, but I am guessing it doesn’t even compare to this place. Massive columns line the outer wall with shining spires reaching for the skies. Every little thing is golden here, with jewels decorating walls, walkways, columns. Everything shines.

My head swivels left and right, trying to catch all the riches embedded into this palace.

Acteem chuckles to my right. “Yeah, Megala goes all out, huh.”

“Megala built all of this?” I ask in awe.

“Yeah, Goddess of Wealth. She can shoot this shit out of her ass.”

I laugh, caught off guard by the easiness of Acteem’s voice. I feel his head turn to me, eyeing me.

“I’m not always like this, Grace,” he mentions softly. “Things were heated because of your mate, but you can give me a chance. We could start over.”

I swallow deeply, my throat feeling tight. I redirect, “Who else is in here? What am I expecting, Acteem?”

I hear him sigh. “Megala is inside. Velaya you met, and Meadow is Goddess of Nature. Saji is of Sight and Dom will be here, he is of Desire” He wags his eyebrows at me, and I actually chuckle. “Fyor is God of Warmth and Vida of Earth. Aine is Goddess of Influence and Siggy is of Dreams. Basically, a room full of angry Gods. ”

I inhale deeply. “Great.”

We get to a set of tall steps leading inside the golden palace. I start to go up before Acteem grabs my arm, pulling me into him.

He looks at me with furrowed brows. “Grace, you don’t need to go in there. I get you want Ro, but you don’t really know him. He is the bad guy, Grace, not us.” He grips my shoulders, leaning in close. “You can reject him. Be with me.”

I stare into his eyes, the color of fresh ice, shining with sincerity.

“We can bring magic back.” He whispers, “We can bring back all those dying creatures. Velaya said your brother is on the other side, I can take you to him. We can dismantle that horrid kingdom and build anew. You can have your revenge. I can give that to you. What can Ro do for you?”

I pause, thinking of Ro and reflecting on our memories, our growth. I can see how serious Acteem is on this, how maybe, under a different light, he could be nice, soft. Yet, I also have seen his anger when he doesn’t get something he wants. When I fight back, he is malicious. I understand, I’ve seen firsthand what Ro was talking about, what they did to humans.

“Ro on his own is enough for me to choose him every time, but it is not just Ro. It is Kai, and Tai, and Pearl. It is my family. You don’t seem to understand that. I love Ro, and I love the others just as much. I will never choose you.”

A mask shadows his face as a fractured smirk crosses his mouth. “Let’s go inside then, they are waiting to meet you,” his voice is scorching as he whispers to me.

Acteem places a hand on the small of my back, gently pushing me forward up the steps until we get to the top. The large open door lets me peek inside before going in. A huge hall awaits, metal lanterns hang from every column and lay in corners surrounded by candles. A group of people are surrounding a tall golden throne, talking amongst each other.

I gulp, a knot stuck in my throat as we walk past the door’s threshold. Immediately, a very large man in a white garb rushes us. His hairless head shines from the dancing flames, reflecting the glimmer of the walls. His eyes are black and murderous as he locks his gaze onto me, a sneer on his face.

“This is her? This pale little thing?” the man speaks, his deep voice loudly echoes as he approaches.

“Silus wields toxins,” Acteem whispers in my ear, his fingers tickling my neck. “Think of that as he touches you.”

I roll my shoulder, throwing his creepy fingers off me.

“She looks sickly.” Silus frowns. “Ro will never come to claim this thing. You woke me for this?”

“He will be here, trust me. She’s his mate,” Acteem says loudly into the room.

They all gasp as they stare at me like I’m some rare mythical creature that might disappear at any moment.

Silus comes closer to my face, inspecting me. “Are you always looking so pitiful? I cannot believe a strong male like Ro claimed you as a mate. I simply refuse to believe it.”

“Maybe if I didn’t lose so much blood on my way here, I wouldn’t look so pitiful,” I mutter under my breath.

“What do you mean?” His brows furrow as he narrows his black eyes on me.

“She doesn’t mean anything.” Acteem shakes me and shoves me away from Silus, pushing me toward the others.

“Do forgive Silus,” a beautiful, tanned woman speaks, her brown curls falling down her back as she sways. Her golden dress is sultry and revealing as her long legs cut through the dress with every step. “He just got here today, he’s still a little grumpy. Acteem, she does look a little weak. What happened to her? I thought it was agreed she gets here alive.”

“She’s alive, isn’t she, Megala?” He forces me down by a pillar, making me sit on the cold floor.

A gorgeous man with skin kissed by the sun walks up behind Megala, wrapping his arms around her provocatively. “Perhaps she just needs a little pick-me-up. I would be happy to provide it for her.” His voice carries across the room like smooth velvet as he smirks at me. Eyes of gold and sea beckon me, until Acteem walks in front of him, blocking my view.

“Fuck off, Dom,” Acteem grumbles. The golden man chuckles, taking a few steps around Acteem to peer at me, before sauntering off.

“Meadow and Velaya brought Aine and Fyor, they arrived today. Vida, Siggy, and Saji should be here soon,” Megala informs Acteem as they walk further into the hall.

“Good.” Acteem’s possessive eyes look me over, glancing constantly at my neck. He licks his lips and stares longingly into my eyes. The God is addicted to my blood. I wish I had another dagger to stab him with .

I glare at him. “Take any more and you’ll kill me, asshole.”

That catches Silus’ attention as he whips his head toward us. “What is she talking about?” he demands.

“Nothing,” Acteem spits.

“You drank from her?” Silus raises his voice.

“She is mine,” Acteem defends himself, walking closer to Silus.

“That is unjust; we should all get a taste!” Silus shouts, pointing his poisonous finger at me.

“I went out to get her. It was my idea. I had to deal with her fucking bullshit the whole way here,” Acteem roars back, getting in Silus’ face.

“We all planned to get her, Acteem,” a woman interrupts, coming closer to the altercation. Her hair is beautiful, small black braids sway as she stalks forward. They shine against the firelight, as does her dark skin. It’s as if she was wrapped in the night like a soft blanket and the stars reflect off of her wherever the flames hit.

“Were you stabbed by the little bitch, Aine? Her blood is mine!” Acteem booms, throwing his arms out.

These Gods seem easy to pit against each other. Everyone is on edge here. I wonder if there are any kind of alliances? If I can get them against each other, I might be able to sneak away. I watch them fight before I talk. “Silus is right, you shouldn’t be hoarding me to yourself, unless you’re the new King?” I interject.

“Shut your mouth, filthy whore.” Acteem seethes, his icy eyes holding a promise of punishment.

“You are not King, Acteem. Share the girl,” a strong man with olive skin demands, walking into the hall. He demands a presence entering the room, with such strength and fire in his skin.

“Fyor, you will drink her dry,” Acteem whines.

Everyone’s eyes are on Acteem as they bicker, and I realize, I’m not tied or bound. I glimpse around the golden room to see the front doors are wide open. I take the moment to sneak away. Silently, I crawl behind the gleaming pillar, away from the hoard of angry Gods.

“I want a taste! We have all been trapped here! Why should only you get her blood?” A voice sounding like Silus roars, seething.

I peek around the gilded column to make sure they are still focused on themselves. They are so busy yelling at each other, they haven’t even noticed I’ve gone. I need to get out of here, the only person standing between me and being feasted on is Acteem. And I don’t trust him a damn bit. I tiptoe quickly to the next shiny pillar.

“You do not get to keep her to yourself!” a high-pitched voice yells, the same one belonging to the braided-haired girl, Aine.

“I cannot let everyone drink from her, you’ll all kill her,” Acteem defends.

“You drank from her,” Silus argues.

“I deserved it!” Acteem shouts, indignant.

I chance a quick look out, and they are all busy with each other. They think so low of humans, they probably didn’t think one would dare try to run. Acteem called mortals cattle waiting to be ruled. Well, we’ve been without Gods for ages. We haven’t had any magic, we didn’t need any. I roll my shoulders back. I can do this.

My gaze falls to the next shiny column; I’m almost to the entrance. I need to get through a couple more and I’m there. I quietly run to the next pillar, hugging the cold glimmering metal as I hide. I eye the front doors; they just left them wide open. I only need to get to them. Determination settles in my gut as I hype myself up.

“We all deserve to drink from his mate. What does it matter if we kill her? He deserves it!” the olive-skinned man, Fyor, booms, frustrated.

“We need her alive to make this happen quickly. Everyone calm your hearts. Just think about this rationally. If we wait, we will have all the mortals we want. Imagine, the whole realm open to us once again. We will have our fill and more,” Acteem propositions.

I make a run for the last column, swiftly pulling my body tight to hide behind it. I peek out and see the golden city gleaming outside. A fresh wind caresses my face, making my heart beat faster. I long to go outside, I can find Ro, and this will all be over. I smile. I’m going to get away.

“Look, the girl has obviously gotten us riled up so she can try and sneak off,” Acteem says calmly. “Velaya, grab her.”

My heart catches at his words, and I shatter. I make a quick break for it, but Velaya drops from above, landing in front of me. She rises from her haunches, towering over me with a sadistic smile on her face. I stop, panting wildly as I turn the other way to run. Another woman with short mousy brown hair quickly rounds the corner to stand in front of me, a smirk on her face.

“Nowhere to run, little bird.” The voice is familiar—It’s Meadow, from the jungle. She wanted to feed me to the Malmogs.

“You are fools to let her trick you so easily over the promise of blood,” Acteem talks as Velaya grabs me with rough hands. She squeezes my arms as I thrash, dragging me into the center of the hall .

“Keep fighting, mortal. I like the hunt.” She seethes into my ears as she throws me to Acteem’s feet.

“I admit, her blood had me riled as well. We will abstain from drinking her. Instead, let us play some games.” He peers down at me, an evil smirk on his face.

I stand, strung up and bound, hanging from a golden pillar. My feet barely reach the cold floor as I dangle, the rope burning into my wrists.

“Who wants a stab at the King’s mate?” Acteem roars to the Gods beside him. Cheers echo into the hall as they whoop and holler. “There are three rules to this game. Number one; no fatal blows.”

There is a sea of groans behind him.

“No! I am serious about rule one, we need to keep her alive,” Acteem shouts, waving his dagger in the air. “Number two; no strikes to main bloodlines. I cannot have her bleed out everywhere, people.”

More grumbles.

He points his dagger at the disgruntled crowd. “If you cannot follow the rules, I will pull you from the games.”

Acteem’s head swivels to me as he drops his dagger down to his side. He stalks toward me, slowly, each step carefully placed in front of him. “Number three; no disfigurement,” he says softly, his eyes roaming my body lovingly. Acteem crosses the remaining distance, dangling his sharp knife and letting the tip drag across my thigh. “It’s not too late to give in to me, kitten. I could call them off,” he whispers seductively, his warm breath blowing into my face. His sultry scent reminds me of fire and smoke.

I clench my teeth and turn my head away. “I would rather face a thousand cuts from a thousand Gods than lay with you.”

“I always give my woman what she wants.” Acteem grins and jams the dagger into my thigh, cutting through muscle and hitting bone.

I scream out in pain, my head throwing back into the golden pillar as I thrash in my restraints. The spurned God wiggles the point around, scraping metal into my bone and skewering me. He laughs wildly as the crowd cheers him on, enjoying my pain.

Acteem toys with me, leaning in close to my ear and caressing my cheek. “I would have been gentle with you,” he purrs into my hair.

His nose grazes my face softly with a downhearted sigh. He comes out to gaze at me closely. Longing is clear in his blue eyes as they lower to my lips. “You could have been my Queen, but you had to go and ruin it.” Acteem leans in and kisses me. His soft lips tenderly embrace mine in an affectionate goodbye. I scream under his mouth, squirming in my bondage. I try desperately to get his face off me, but he holds me firm. The magnetic God groans, pulling away reluctantly and extracting his bloody knife from my thigh.

“Why do you even want me? I’ve done nothing but try and get away from you.”

“Yes, and it has been great fun. I’ve never experienced a woman so feisty and desperate. I’ve never met a mortal brave enough to actually stab me.” He chuckles. “I have quite liked chasing you around.” His blue eyes soften for a moment, gazing at me. “I also can sense your interest in me. I felt your body react to mine. You may be Ro’s mate, but I know you questioned it, even if for a brief moment, you thought of me.”

I clench my jaw as we lock eyes. “Ro is my mate.”

“Mates aren’t a finality, sweetheart.”

My heart thunders in my chest. “I don’t want you.”

Acteem only smirks at me as his icy eyes fill with amusement. “When they’re at your throat, I want you to remember, I tried.” He brings his dagger to his mouth and licks off my crimson blood from the blade, his eyes rolling back into his skull. He smacks his lips loudly. “It really is not fair Ro gets to drink from you whenever he wants.”

Acteem uses the back of his finger to run it down my face lovingly. “One day, you’ll come around, kitten,” he whispers to me. Finally, Acteem backs away from me, a smile on his face. “Ok! Not too much, people. Who is next?” he yells into the room, holding his dagger up.

Velaya charges forward, a smirk on her face. She snatches the bloody dagger out of Acteem’s hand and prowls toward me.

“Not too much, Velaya.” Acteem’s voice is worried.

“Don’t worry, Acteem. I know how to make an animal squeal without hitting vital organs.”

“Wait! Perhaps we should let Fyor and Aine go first. They’re our guests.” Acteem stops her, grabbing the dagger from her grip .

Velaya sneers, getting in his face. “Give it to me.”

“You know I am right,” he talks calmly to her. “You will have your turn. We all will.”

Fyor elbows his way forward. “I will go.” He charges up to them but refuses the dagger. “I don’t need that,” the olive-skinned God mutters before clapping his hands together in one solid hit. When he pulls them apart, fire forms between them. He contorts his hands, shaping and pulling the fire into his own makeshift dagger. Fyor smiles devilishly. “Where to make my cut?” His light brown eyes size me up before falling to my thigh. He saunters up and wastes no time ripping my pants down. I shriek in the unknown pain he will cause me.

“Fyor, we aren’t playing like that,” Acteem calls out, worried.

“Oh relax, I simply need to see what I’m doing. What has gotten into you?” Fyor glares at Acteem.

I watch Acteem clench his fists, looking between Velaya and Fyor before answering. “I don’t know what you mean. Continue, we just … can’t play like that.” His icy eyes meet mine, making me sigh in relief, knowing I have an ally here in some convoluted way.

Fyor kneels before me, unleashing his fire dagger into my skin. The white-hot pain sears into my thigh, and I scream, thrashing in my restraints. It goes on for ages, long gashes into my skin with fiery cuts. I make no shame in crying. I have never known such pain. I scream and wail, my energy leaving me as I slump in my bindings. I beg, but they don’t care. They all watch on.

Finally, he stops, smiling at his handiwork. They all gather around to see his masterpiece.

“What is it?” Megala’s head turns sideways, her lip curled up in confusion.

“Well, it started out as my name. I wanted to brand her, but her screams were so delicious I kept going. It’s mostly nonsense,” Fyor states proudly.

I whimper, the feeling of fire still fresh on my skin, inking me permanently. The wound may heal, but I don’t know if I ever will.

“Give me the dagger.” Aine holds her hand out expectantly. “It’s my turn. Lucky for you, mortal girl, my powers haven’t worked since the Veil went up. Normally, I could just influence you to stab yourself without having to get my hands dirty. Unlucky for you, I’m very pissed off, and I have to wield my own dagger.”

Acteem holds me gently, taking the binding off my wrists. I cry out, pain is everywhere.

“I’m sorry. I’m trying to be gentle,” he whispers. “Vida, Siggy, and Saji just got here. I’ll get them to do something else.” He brings my butchered body down onto the floor. I stare up at him, his icy eyes almost look like they’re clouded in sorrow. Carefully, he moves a strand of hair out of my face, brushing my cheek lightly.

“Fuck.” Acteem’s eyes glance around the hall, checking to see if we are alone. “I’m trying to get you out of this alive, kitten. Why didn’t you just come with me? I could’ve kept you from all of this.”

All I can do is whimper.

A pained look flitters across his face. “I wanted to get back at Ro, but fuck, Grace.” His thumb wipes at my bottom lip lovingly. “I know you hate me, but I couldn’t stand watching them hurt you like that. You’re very resilient, I see why Ro has grown fond of you.”

“Acteem!” a male’s voice calls through the metallic hall.

“Saji. My friend.” Acteem hurries off the gleaming ground, getting in front of my crumpled body. “I was just coming to see you, let us go eat.”

“Hold on, I want to see the girl.”

I watch as a tall man rounds Acteem, not quite reaching the icy God’s height. I furrow my brows, as I can’t help but stare at him. Hair the color of lavender is cut short to his head. There are several black markings covering his face and arms. Though, it’s his eyes that strike my heart with fear as I gaze at them. They hold no pupils, they’re just milky white depths.

“This is her?” Saji speaks as his clouded eyes study me.

“Yes, but she can handle no more punishment tonight,” Acteem states. “Please, let us go.”

Saji suddenly turns his attention to Acteem, staring at him with a blank expression. White eyes lock onto him for ages, making the icy God shift uncomfortably. Nothing is said until Acteem breaks the tension .

“You know I hate when you read me, Saji. Knock it off,” Acteem whispers.

“The girl will be your downfall, Acteem.” Saji looks to me once more before walking away, leaving us in silence.

Acteem stays standing there, breathing heavily as his eyes are fixated on the gleaming ground. A furrowed expression stuck on his face. He glances at me, with something almost like fear in his eyes. Finally, he spins and storms out of the hall.

I lay there on the cold golden floor, watching the reflection of the dancing flames on the metallic ground from the suspended metal lanterns. My wounds are having a hard time healing. They’ve never been this slow. I guess my body is coming to its limit. I stare at the purple bruises on my wrists in front of my face.

They are going to kill me if this keeps up. I’ve been burned, beaten, broken, and bruised. My healing is going slower with each wound. The bruises should have been gone by now, but they’re lingering. I take in a jagged breath, my lungs seizing at the intake of air. It triggers a deep ache in my chest. I wheeze from the tickle in my lungs and cough on the golden floor. I look down and see blood splattered in little droplets.

I have blood in my lungs.

I drop my head back onto the gleaming ground, exhausted completely. I close my eyes and listen to the roar of laughter coming from the Gods as they feast on their food. The savory smell wafting in the air makes my stomach moan in pain. My mind starts to drift off as I dream of food, my body frozen on the cold, hard floor.

I must have lost consciousness, because the next thing I know, Acteem is shaking me awake. My body screams in pain and aches from the torture of their games.

“Wake up, kitten, it’s showtime.”