Page 100 of Kortlek

And I’ll kill anyone who dares to make her cry, no matter who it may be.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The gloomy night seems welcoming.

The darkness around me causes my instincts to sharpen, my senses on high alert. The wind blows, and it’s chilly, though it doesn’t faze me. The suit is tight on my body, and perhaps the footwear wasn’t the smartest choice, but it’s too late to back down now.

Adrenaline pumps in my veins; the thrill of the unknown and what the pitch-black night has in store for me makes me giddy on the inside. My stomach twists and turns in anticipation, my body more than prepared to tackle any and all of the prey that come my way.

My hair is thrown back by a sudden blow of the harsh wind, my eyes closing at the sudden feeling. I take a deep breath, a smile hidden behind the mask on my face. Cove is standing next to me, looking deliciously dangerous as always.

For the first time, I was able to pick a weapon of my choice.

Mom pulled out all of her knives, offering me to take any that I liked. The only exception was the dagger Dad used to stab her back in their youth, but even that wasn’t something that I wanted. I love using knives and sharp objects; it gives me a lot of control over my actions.

However, it’s not something that I’m connected to.

On some level, I think I wanted knives just because I was desperate to be just like Mom. If I admire anyone, it’s my mother. I love the woman more than words can express, and ever since I was a child, she was someone I looked up to.

That hasn’t changed, but my taste has.

Even Dad offered his collection of guns for me to choose from. None of them stuck out or made my heart race. However, once I visited Uncle Niko to thank him for what he did for me and releasing James Maddox out of prison, I spotted something.

In the corner of his living room, carefully kept in a glass box was a mace.

For the first time in my life, I felt genuine excitement rush through my entire body at the sight of a single weapon. Niko offered it, and I took it.

It’s unconventional, sure, but I did spend a whole week trying to learn how to use it. A week isn’t nearly enough, but I think I got the hang of it. Besides, I’m not here alone. Cove is with me. He’s always with me.

I feel safer knowing that he’ll be right there, every step of the way, offering his support and making sure I don’t have to look over my shoulder. He’ll be there to take care of anyone who dares to sneak up to me or try to take me down while I look for the specific target.

The location is the same warehouse I spent my teenage years with Wyatt, and the same one where he took Rose that eventually led to his downfall.

In the end, Mom and Dad decided to join this one. They’re inside the building with Arlo and Blair, looking at the security cameras and waiting for the game to start. It’s their first time playing instead of watching through the surveillance, and to say they’re excited would be an understatement.

Slowly, I turn my attention to Cove.

The masks were picked by Mom. They’re the basic, neon purge masks. Each one is assigned a specific color, and Cove’s is — unsurprisingly — red. Blair’s is pink, Mom’s is green, Arlo’s is blue, Dad’s is orange, and mine is white.

It looks good on him.

The tight, dark suit hugs his muscular body like a second skin would. The white shirt under the blazer is almost see-through, his toned stomach and perfect abs distracting me for a few seconds. The red tie around his neck brings back memories of when I first attended Kortlek, as a prey, no less.

Cove turns to look at me, his voice gravelly and low. “Are you ready, bunny?”

Thrill and sheer excitement rush through my bones, an exhilarating, overpowering sensation, bloodthirst starting to surface. My gloved hand tightens around the mace, and with an exhale of a deep breath, I nod.

“Ready.’’

I take a step forward, Cove keeping some distance between the two of us.

My heels click behind me as I walk, the pavement uneven under my feet. The darkness around us makes me straighten up, then continue walking toward the building. Soon enough, Arlo’s voice will come through the loudspeakers, and the game will start.

Once Arlo’s announcement finishes and the game commences, I’m inside the building as soon as possible. I take a small break, glancing around and skimming my surroundings.

Immediately after, gunshots echo through the deserted building. Mainly, they come from the upper floors, and given the sound of the gun — it’s dad. Judging by the loud roar of laughter, I’d say he’s having one hell of a time.

One by one, men step out of the shadows. Some are terrified of what awaits; some are too thrilled to participate. Most of them don’t seem to understand that the chance of any of them leaving this place alive is non-existent.

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