Page 34 of They're Watching You

He doesn’t look convinced as his gaze swings to where Annabelle chats serenely with Donella. “Stick with me tonight.” His voice is rough but soothing. We turn to face the front of the chamber, where as usual, there’s an elaborate display of wine and bite-size snacks. To our right, Remington slumps against a pillar, his eyes on us.

My skin heats, but I wrench my gaze from his; for someone so strong, Remington is weaker than I ever imagined. And right now, I need strength to beat Annabelle. It’s going to take every ounce of my strength to get Polly back.

Gavin’s fingers remain on my wrist, sliding down to my hand as I take a calming breath. His warm touch on my skin might be the only thing keeping me together right now.

Ahead, I spot Jordan in the glow of the lanterns. The gown I’d dressed her in earlier—one of Polly’s—is now covered by a white muslin shroud. Her black iron-curled hair has been gathered up high, soft tendrils left loose to frame her face. A gilt crown adorns her head. “Why is Jordan dressed like a virgin sacrifice?” I hiss at Gavin, clutching his hand so tightly my short fingernails dig into his palm.

“I—I don’t know,” he whispers back, twisting his hand, either to pry it from mine or to calm me.

“Welcome, everyone.” Annabelle’s voice slices through the low murmurs. “Tonight, we have a special game for you, called Rescue the Princess.” Applause rattles the chamber. “Jordan here has accepted the role of princess, which means it’s up to the rest of us to save her.”

Two of Annabelle’s minions—a guy with inky black coils and a girl with a crisp brown bob—take Jordan’s arms. They turn her, and the three begin pacing farther into the dark tunnel leading to the next chamber.

“We’d better hurry,” Annabelle calls out, Jordan’s white train still cast in lantern light. “Before she’s lost to the dragon forever.”

A muffled shriek resounds from where Jordan’s front half has disappeared. White fabric ripples; sounds of struggle ensue. But just as quickly as it started, the tussle is contained.

The three figures, the white muslin train—the darkness swallows it all.

Thirteen

I release Gavin’s arm, charging through the small crowd to get to Jordan. What did Annabelle mean bydragon? Some minion blocks my way, so I shout past him, “Where are they taking her?”

Annabelle makes a calming gesture. “The princess is being hidden somewhere in the catacombs. I assure everyone, she is fine”—she licks her lips—“for now. It does tend to be rather tight inside a sarcophagus, so we’d best get on with the rules, hadn’t we?”

My heart pitches into my ribs, but Annabelle lets out a small laugh. Gavin’s words bounce back at me:She’s practically a professional mind gamer. Suddenly, I have no clue if Jordan really is in danger.

“You valiant knights will head out on a quest in search of the fair princess. Each of you will carry a token of gold—for everyone knows a dragon cannot resist gold. In order to release the princess, you will need to have at least two tokens. Knights will also have two duel cards, used to challenge fellow knights as they choose. The winner of the duel will take a coin from the loser. If, at any point, you end up without a single coin, you are eliminated from the game.”

“But there’s a twist.” Annabelle raises an index finger. “Our dragon likes to take on human form to deceive those around him. One of your fellow knights is actually the dragon in disguise. Challenge him, and he will take all of your coins and your game is over.”

“The first two knights to find the lair, pay the dragon, and rescue the princess from the sarcophagus win the game. And the prize for the most valiant and cunning knights of all? They shall be promoted to the next station of the Gamemaster’s Society.”

Applause rumbles throughout the chamber. A couple guys roll their shoulders and drill fists into palms, trying to get amped up. Annabelle shushes everyone. “Oh, I almost forgot. We’re down a member after what happened to poor Alicia. So, if Jordan makes it through the game, she’ll become one of us.”

If Jordan makes it through the game. “What does that mean?” I shout, trying again to push through the minions, but meeting resistance. This time, I slam my knuckles into a guy’s lower back.

“Hey!” He spins around to glare at me.

“Get out of my way,” I growl, raising my sore fist again.

He starts hissing some retort, but I drive through, lunging at Annabelle. “What does that mean,ifJordan makes it through the game?” I stop just short of grabbing her by the throat. Would Annabelle let Jordan run out of air?

But I know she would. She has Polly imprisoned somewhere down here. She poisoned Alicia Jones. My heavy head falls forward and I lean with my palms on my thighs. I made a mistake coming here. I thought I was helping Polly, but now Jordan is in danger, all because of me.

Annabelle lays a cold hand on my back, attempting to pull me up. “I meant if she doesn’t get claustrophobic and quit, of course. What did you think I meant?”

I straighten, knocking her hand off me and looking her in the eyes. But those blue irises are as devoid of any authentic emotion as her smiling lips.

“So, if she freaks, you’ll pull her out?”

“Of course. I’m not a monster. But everyone goes through an initiation here. She can’t very well become a member simply because she’s your friend. We have to test her, to see if she has the mental endurance to become one of us.”

A hand falls onto my arm. Gavin is behind me, his glare matching my own as he pushes past me to reach our lovely leader. “But we chose to participate in those ceremonies, Annabelle,” he says.

“As did Jordan. I didn’t force her into the costume. Give her a chance, both of you. She may stomp all over your expectations. And if not, the guards who watch over her will release her from the sarcophagus.”

The guards. She must be referring to the guy with the black coils and the bob-haired girl. Relief washes over me like a warm bath. She has people with her. They must’ve instructed Jordan to pretend she was being captured for show.

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