Page 52 of Jayce

“Why is she so bound and determined to settle down before she’s even lived?”

“I don’t think that’s what this is about. She knows the importance of what we’re doing, and she can help. Without her, we’d forfeit our women because we failed to abide by the terms.”

Neither of them were quiet, so we all heard the entire exchange. Nikolaos hung his head, defeated. I’m not sure why he’s making Tara wait now that she’s an adult. Not my business.

We parked our vehicles out of view. As we approach, the towering roller coasters stand like skeletal giants against the backdrop of the Louisiana sunset. Their once colorful tracks now faded and rusted.

Weeds and vines have claimed the area, snaking through the cracks in the pavement and winding around the decaying structures.

The main entrance gate, once alive with families eager for thrills, now creaks in the wind, and its once festive ambiance muted by layers of dust and neglect.

Tattered flags flutter weakly from their poles, an echo of the park’s former glory.

The occasional creak of metal or the rustle of leaves in the breeze breaks the eerie silence as we scout the area.

Empty food stalls and souvenir shops hover like ghostly relics, their windows shattered, and interiors littered with trash and leaves.

Off in the distance, a Ferris wheel leans over the abandoned landscape, its motionless gondolas hang by their pivots in the still air.

It’s a scene frozen in time; a harsh reminder of memories left to fade away.

Circe jumps as a racoon crosses her path.

We’re trespassing, but out here in the middle of nowhere, we’re not likely to get caught.

“It took y’all long enough to get here,” Willow snarks. She’s here to hide Circe, Penelope, and Tara’s patérs. They’ve come as backup in case things go wrong.

Willow accepts a lock of hair from each of them for the whammy she plans to place over the area.

No one—not even us—will see or smell the three of them anywhere in the park.

Frank and Peter aren’t here because Jayce thought our parents might still need protection. While twelve of the men from their herd must show or they forfeit the ceremony, our mates have covered every scenario that occurred to us. If only we knew whether their numbers had grown since Emjay’s escape.

“This is exciting,” Tara says while we roll out sleeping bags.

Priscilla and I look at her like she’s grown another head.

She rubs her hands together like they’re in front of a fire. Her contagious smile brings one out of each of us.

“Look, I know you’re scared. Scared of the unknown. Afraid of these creeps, but a mated male is stronger than an unmated one. Even feral ones. It doesn’t matter if all hell breaks loose, they won’t lose.”

Oh, to be young and naïve again.

Chapter 35

Jayce

I’ve got first rotation on watch tonight. It’s been an hour of crickets, bullfrogs, and mosquitoes.

I walked the length of the facility twice before sitting on the steps of a children’s ride.

The abandoned park casts long shadows under the dim light of the stars.

There hasn’t been a moment to clear my thoughts from the chaos of emotions threatening to swallow me whole.

I’ll kill Shay’s father or betrothed without remorse, but will she forgive me if it comes to that?

A twig breaking shakes me from my thoughts. I turn toward the sound—my defenses high.

---