Page 9

Odessa

T here was no time to hide the obvious weapon in my hand before a large imposing figure stepped through the door, making my jaw drop and anger rise.

Instead of the guard and chains I expected to see, a dangerous dark-haired menace walked into my room, taking all the oxygen out of my lungs with his sudden appearance. The door snicked closed behind him—the sound echoing off the vaulted ceiling.

“What the hell! Dex, I thought you were a guard.”

He tilted his head to the side examining me like I was a specimen under a microscope, and he was a scientist desperate to discover my secrets.

His golden horned mask gleamed in the flickering light, making him appear ten times more devious and dangerous than he had earlier.

The ghost of his touch on my skin still lingered, remembering how he had steadied me when the shadows swirled all around me.

I still didn’t know if I had caused that to happen or if it was something else.

“You asshole, what are you even doing here?” I seethed, trying to calm my erratic heart rate.

The icy blue hue of his eyes locked on the dagger I held in my hand. Immediately, my brain caught up to my body and I hid it behind me.

Too little, too late. It was clear by that insufferable smirk that he’d seen it.

“What, are you planning to do with that? Stab me with your contraband? Might I suggest aiming for my heart if you do. It’s the only way to get the job done.”

“I—I’m not planning on stabbing anyone. My sister packed it without my knowledge, and now I don’t know what I’m going to do. If they find it, I’ll be kicked out and jailed. Or worse. Hung up in the stocks and made an example of.”

I plopped down onto the bed and stared at the weapon in disbelief, not sure why I just unloaded all that on him, other than I was still clearly in shock. How could Marley put me in this position? I swore, if I got out of here alive, I was going to personally wring her little neck.

“That would be a shame, not being able to face you in the games due to a stupid rule. Have you thought of, I don’t know, maybe hiding it?”

I glared up at him.

“What are you doing here anyways?”

“I came to see if you wanted an escort to dinner.”

A loud snort came out of my nose, and I quickly covered my mouth. “You did not.”

“Fine. But it’s a good line.” I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting for him to tell me the truth. “What about stashing the dagger in the light fixture right there?”

He pointed to the light above my head, and I turned to look at it.

It could work. Standing on the bed, I carefully placed the blade into the back part of the fixture, watching as it was swallowed whole, only showing the smallest part of the handle.

If you only glanced at it, it seemed like it was a part of the design.

I was keenly aware of Dex’s presence, watching me carefully with his muscular arms crossed over his wide chest.

“You’re not going to squeal on me, are you?” I asked, coming down from the bed and using the poster to help keep me steady. When my feet were firmly planted on the ground, I couldn’t help but notice how tall Dex was. He towered over me in a way that made me feel small and vulnerable.

“Not if you don’t tell on me, too. No fraternizing, remember?”

I huffed out a breath of annoyance. “We are not fraternizing. I was minding my own business?—

“By breaking the rules.”

“—and you burst into my room. I could have been changing.”

“That would have been horrible,” his eyes run down the length of my body, and I felt my cheeks heat.

“You’re a scoundrel.”

He let out a deep throated laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “I’ve been called many things, but being called a scoundrel might be my new favorite.”

I huffed out an annoyed sound. “We could be arrested for you just being in here.”

“Does that scare you? The danger?” He took a step closer to me and I backed up, only to have my thighs hit the bed frame. “I think it does. Just look at that beautiful flush crawling up your neck.”

I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught it easily in his large hand. “Careful, vixen. I might like it too much if you hit me.”

His focus caught on my ring as he held onto my hand, and his gaze seemed to flash with an indescribable emotion.

“Well, would you look at that—” His skin was an inferno against mine as he turned my hand to get a better look at the simple diamond that Theo had given to me.

My heart beat wildly against my chest as Dex tightened his grip.

“You’d think your betrothed could have sprung for a better ring instead of whatever this is. ”

I yanked back my hand and rubbed it on my pants to erase the feeling. “Get the hell out of my room.” My voice sounded firm but inside my stomach was doing flips. My skin tingling from his touch.

The moment stretched between us, his subtle but intoxicating musk invading my senses and making my head spin with the proximity.

We were locked in a challenge of wills and mine was slipping.

But I’d be damned if I let this agitator ruffle my feathers.

Who did he think he was just waltzing into my room like he belonged in here?

And judging the ring from Theo when it cost him a month’s worth of work to save for. I bet he couldn’t fathom the sacrifice.

Dex looked down at my lips and I felt my breathing stall in my chest, my body leaning towards his like an invisible tether was pulling me towards this insufferable, arrogant man.

The energy coming off him was palpable and confusing.

I couldn’t understand this pull he had over me that was making me forget myself.

“It seems whoever gave that ring to you really holds the key to your heart.”

The moment between us popped with those words and my anger came rushing back.

“Make sure the door hits you on the way out.”

He dipped his head in a mocking bow and exited the way he came. I ran to the door and locked it behind him, grateful for the barrier between us. I didn’t need some cocky asshole messing with my head and my emotions, derailing me from focusing on how to survive these games.

No good could come of entertaining a rake like Dex. No matter how tempting it might be.

What the hell was I thinking anyways? I had a fiancé back at home. And even if he didn’t show to say goodbye, I’m sure it was for a good reason.

It had to be.

The dinner bell rang throughout the halls like a death knell.

It was an ominous sound and the vibration of it rolled throughout my entire body.

I double checked my braid and nervously pulled at the black laced dress I’d put on for the evening.

The sleeves wove a delicate floral-like pattern all the way down to my wrists, giving the illusion that inky black spiderwebs were coating my skin.

The dress was floor length, covering my ballet slippered feet with the long fabric.

Giving myself one last look in the oval shaped mirror, I deemed myself presentable enough.

This would be the first time I’d be able to assess the competition since I was too stuck in my head earlier to pay much attention.

I feared I’d already made an impression on them all at the mask choosing ceremony, and I needed to ascertain just who I needed to watch out for.

Guards lined the hallway, ready to escort us out to dinner.

Dex emerged from his room at the same time, and I felt like my dress became two sizes smaller as he gave me that knowing look like we shared a secret.

I hated that he knew about the dagger. He could turn me in at any time and lead the guards right to it, but for some reason I didn’t think he would. I felt like a toy he was playing with.

His eyes traveled the length of my body, taking in my outfit change with a smirk pulling at his lips.

He was dressed in the same clothes as earlier, only his hair looked mussed as if he’d just rolled straight out of bed.

Oh, to be that unaffected by being here.

He exuded a level of confidence I wish I could tap into for myself.

I would just have to fake it, I decided.

The dining area was the most elaborately decorated room I’d ever stepped into.

It was hard not to gape at the pure opulence that surrounded us.

Glittering gold appliqués of the fleur-de-lis lined the dark walls.

Candles flickered in the corners and along the long table.

Statues of the gods were lain out just like they had been at the temple, reminding us of who’s domain we were in— as if we could forget.

High backed elegantly designed chairs were placed on either side of the table, complete with a plush fleur-de-lis patterned cushions that matched the walls.

There were sixteen seats total. Just enough for all the contestants.

Thankfully, Dex was seated on the other end of the table, and I was able to get a reprieve from his overwhelming presence.

Though, across from me sat the one person who picked the strength mask, Magnus.

I could feel the power wafting off him from my spot.

Though the gods only gave one drop of blood to our masks, some of their powers were more potent than others.

It was clear why the strength mask usually won the competition.

If I could feel it from here, there’s no telling what that kind of power could do in action.

Magnus glared directly at me with his pasty white hands gripping the edge of the table.

I swallowed hard, imagining the worst.

Thankfully, the food was brought out swiftly, stealing his focus. Whatever it was, smelled absolutely divine and had my mouth watering instantly. My meager rations in my room weren’t enough to quell the raging appetite I’d worked up in my nervous state.