Page 16 of A Sea of Secrets
“This is so cool,” Lou marvelled behind me, clearly forgetting her recent scare. “I’d love to have a house like this.”
“Remind me never to visit,” I said with a dry smile. “Still, it’s better in here than out there.”
“Famous last words,” Dick said glumly. He scuffed his shoe on the ground and released a long, world-weary sigh. His blond hair was matted with blood and hung limply over his eyes. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guy. It was clear he’d never wanted to enter these trials in the first place, much less rule a kingdom. His parents must be some A-grade assholes to force him into this death race.
When I’d first met Dick, I’d thought he’d never survive this place and all the horrible things the Masters and Celeste had thrown at us. How wrong I’d been. Of all people, I should have known better than to judge a book by its cover. Dick was skinny and small, yes—less so now thanks to Kayden’s workout regimes—but what he lacked in strength he more than made up for with a big heart and endless courage.
He was loyal, and you couldn’t put a price on that.
“It’ll be okay, Dick,” I offered cheerily. “We’ve got each other. As long as we stick together, nothing will bring us down.”
“Exactly,” Kendra chimed in, looping an arm through his. She winked at him. “We’ve been to hell and back. What more can they throw at us?”
Those blue eyes brightened as he glanced up, shimmering a little suspiciously like tears. “Thanks, guys. I’m lucky to have met you.”
Ace scoffed from where he leaned against a wall, and I threw him a warning glare. The bastard just smirked, and of course, my traitorous eyes tracked those damnable lips. His grin widened as he caught me staring, his own gaze sliding down my body, seemingly undressing me.
My body heated, recalling the way he’d kissed me before. It wasn’t angry, nor did it seem like a simple release of pent-up energy. It was all-consuming. Like he’d filtered all of his feelingsinto that one touch. And what he’d said… I may have waved it off at the time, but what had he meant? He said he’d fight for me. Did that mean he’d back down when the crown was up for grabs?
It was all so confusing, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t excite me. The game of cat and mouse and pretending we hated each other had been fun for a while, but having the real thing would be so much better. Because… I did want him.
Fuck. My heart thrummed wildly in my chest at the sudden realisation. I wantedall of him.Every fucked-up part of that dark soul. Every secret, every sensation, and all the soft little spaces hidden away. There was so much more to Ace than he let anyone know, but I would find it. I’d pull it all out of him until he was mine.
That little bit of vulnerability from him before… that was enough to prove he had the creamy core of someone whocared.It was just hidden behind that bad-boy exterior. And, oh, was I going to relish that when I got a taste. He had become something I craved.
Kendra and Lou spoke hurriedly, Kendra asking if she was okay and Lou pointing out the way the portraits’ eyes looked like they followed you. The sound brought me back to the moment. When my gaze refocused on Ace, I found his grey eyes staring inquisitively, his head cocked ever so slightly as if studying me and my thoughts. The filthy, salacious smile I sent back took even him off guard.We’ll pick this up later, I promised with a look.
He said nothing. He merely raised his arms behind his head and lounged against the wall, a satisfied smirk on his face.
“We should look for clues or something that could test our minds,” Noah suggested as he eyed me. “May as well try to figure this out.”
I sighed. “You’re right. Let’s get this shit show on the road. But everyone should stick together—no wandering off into new rooms until we’re all ready. Anything could happen here.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Zane said with a salute. “But uhh, what exactly are we looking for?”
“Um… Honestly, I have no idea. Just be careful.”
“It’s the Trial of the Mind. It’s likely to be something mental, not physical. Something we can problem-solve,” Noah said.
Kayden scoffed. “Mental? Tell that to the bodies piling up outside.”
Everyone fell silent at that. But the moment was interrupted by a bang that made me jump. I whirled to find a stream of Potentials staggering in, caked in blood and other unpleasant liquids. With the last one inside, we closed the doors and barred them using furniture in the room. Once that was done everyone seemed unsure what to do next.
“They killed them all,” a girl with brown doe eyes and long brown hair said. “There’s… there’s no one left. We’re all that remains.”
Kayden’s expression turned to an angry storm.
I did a quick head count. Only 26 Potentials stood in the foyer… 34, including my group. I eyed off the remaining Potentials, categorising which seemed most likely to last the day. It was a habit I’d developed from doing my father’s dirty work, but one that came in handy in these kinds of situations.
Other partnerships had developed among the Potentials, with some tending to each other’s injuries, doing their best to staunch bleeding wounds or create makeshift canes or casts out of furniture scraps. A few stood in their smaller groups and whispered amongst themselves, no doubt evaluating their chances the same as I was. It was clear I had the largest group. But alliances may still have time to forge between now and the end.
Movement in the foyer was minimal. It seemed most Potentials were still in a state of shock. I couldn’t blame them, with all that death, but it shouldn’t have been surprising. This was, after all, the third and final trial. Out of this small pool, someone would be crowned. It was as sobering a thought as any. We’d all come so far and worked so hard. When a Potential was picked, what happened to the remaining survivors? Did they return to their families? Would they be shamed and rejected, or would their efforts here make them heroes?
I knew what awaited me should I fail. Victrus had told me not to return—had threatened me the very night I was kidnapped from my bed and brought to the academy. Of course, I had no intentions to go back into that snake pit except maybe to cut off the head of the serpent himself. Or smuggle my siblings out and get them somewhere safe, hidden from my father’s eyes. And he had many throughout Terrulia.
As queen, however… I knew more than enough to have my parents brought before a court of law. His empire? I’d crumble it like dirt between my fingers. No more human trafficking or slave trade in the crystal farms. No more drug smuggling, assassinations, and whatever other shady business House Auger was conducting.
Stormcrest City deserved better. All the cities did.
