Page 52 of Forsaken Oath

Unknown Number: You’ve been accepted into the Gauntlet. Wait for further instructions.

The second message is even more cryptic.

Unknown Number: Game on

I sit up so fast my vision swims for a moment. “Holy fucking shit.” The words are a whispered hush, laced with disbelief. A stuttering sort of laugh bubbles out of me, choppy and almost hysterical. Underneath it all, there’s something else: a small, dangerous thread of hope.

I scramble into the house, letting the door slam behind me. “Margot!”

“Oh my god, what?” Margot bursts from her bedroom, her footsteps loud as she barrels down the hallway.

“Margot.” I stand in the middle of the living room, holding up my phone, trying to tamp down my excitement and remain neutral.

“Jesus, Louie, enough of the theatrics. You’re freaking me out.” She stops in front of me, balling her fists tightly and crossing her arms over her chest. “Are you okay?”

“I’m better than okay.” I nod, giving my best stoic-statue impression.

Her gaze bounces across my face, her smile growing with each second. “Oh, my god. Fuck yes, you did it. You fucking did it!” She rushes me, throwing her arms around my shoulders and jumping up and down. “You’re gonna win the fucking Gauntlet, baby!”

Her enthusiasm is infectious, and soon we’re both hugging and laughing, spinning in giddy circles in the middle of the living room. I don’t know what I love most about my sister—the list feels endless most days—but this? This is pretty damn high on that list. She’s celebrating my win like it’s her own.

Or maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t even need to spell it out for her. She just knew. Maybe we have that sibling bond after all—the kind where we can read each other without words.

She pulls back, her smile softening. “You’re going to win, Eloise. I fucking know it.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of her belief settle over me like a heavy cloak. “I’m going to try.”

For her, for Vivie, and maybe even a little bit for myself. I’m going to try.

“Shit, now what? You need something to drink? I’m parched after all that excitement.” She skips into the kitchen and pulls open the fridge. “Damn, sis, it’s looking bare in here. How are we gonna celebrate without provisions?” She clicks her tongue in mock disapproval.

“Yeah.” I sigh, leaning against the doorframe. “I’ll stop at the grocery store later. Text me a list of whatever you need. I’ve gotta check in with Nate at the garage, anyway.”

She grabs one of those fake sodas I keep for Vivie and pauses with her hand on the tab. “Does he know yet?”

What she really means is:Did you tell Nate before you told me?

I can’t help but laugh. “Nah, I told you I’d tell you first.”

“Yeah, well, it’s hard competing with someone who looks like that.” She fans herself dramatically, smirking.

I arch a brow, tilting my head. “You sure there’s nothing going on between you two?”

She pops the tab on her drink and takes a long sip, then gives me a deadpan glare. “You sure there’s nothing going on betweenyoutwo?”

I roll my eyes and shake my head. “No. I told you this like a million times. We’re just friends.”

“Mm-hmm.” She leans against the counter, her grin teasing. “Doesheknow that?”

“Of course he does.” My voice sounds defensive even to my own ears, and Margot picks up on it instantly. Her smirk widens.

She plants her elbows on the counter, leaning forward conspiratorially. “You know what might help send that message? Oh, I don’t know—dating someone. Literally anyone.”

Like a dam bursting, an image of Beau flashes in my mind. His hands on me, his lips teasing mine, the way he made me come apart like I’d never been touched before. My body heats all over again, and I feel my chest grow tight.

Goddamn those talented, magical fingers. It really makes a girl wonder what other kinds of magical things he can do.

“Oh my god,” Margot gasps, her eyes lighting up like a kid at Christmas. “Youarefucking someone!”

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