Page 166 of Ignite

The name on the screen punches the air from my lungs.

I grab a glass from the desk and smash it against the wall, screaming until my voice breaks. I fucking knew that asshole was up to something. But me and my fists had to shut him up too quickly before he could give me the truth.

The games. It’s too late. That’s what he’d been warning Hallie about. The threat was real.

He meant this. The Decadence Chase.

That motherfucker.

“He owned a strip club,” Finn mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. His face unreadable.

“You know what that means...” His voice trails off.

I’m trembling.

With rage.

With purpose.

“We get to bring a dead man back to life,” I say flatly.

And this time, I’m going to find out why. There are no coincidences in this world. Not like this. What doesn’t make sense is he got to Hallie first, before I even knew her name.

Was she always a pawn in this game?

Or did I walk right into a trap?

I know in my heart my girl has nothing to do with this. She’s caught in the crossfire of a war she doesn’t even know exists.

But I vow to make it right. I won’t stop. No one, including myself, will hurt her again. And I will die protecting her if I have to.

Chapter 59

HALLIE

The base camp is weirdly cozy. So far, I’m the fifth woman to arrive. A couple of the others are already asleep on the hammocks.

“Hi,” I greet the girl tending to the fire.

She has the same lingerie set on as me, just a different shade of green.

And the mask is the exact same as mine.

“Hey. You’ll want to read this.” She has a strong New York accent.

She holds out a sheet of paper to me, and I take it, perching on the log seat.

Congratulations. You’ve made it to base camp. This will be your home until the next nightfall. For now, you are safe. If you wish, you may remove your masks. Here, it’s time for you to rest and recover before the final chase.

Once the dark settles, a siren will call. That will mark the start of the Decadence Chase.

All you must do is avoid capture from the Hunter of Inferno.

The last remaining woman shall win the two-million-dollar prize.

If you are caught, your time not only at Decadence shall end, but your life shall end too.

Sweet dreams.

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