Page 6 of Insanium
“That’s why you’re my absolute favorite, Mr. Sinclair.”
Aisha shot me a knowing look, one that implied I might as well stake my claim on Hael now. My response was a swift, silent communication: not yet. Frankly, I hadn’t decided if he was more than just a tantalizing treat or if I wanted to change our dynamic forever. I hadn’t even taken him for a test ride yet.I straightened up, feeling the pull of the unknown tugging at us all.
“All right, let’s move,” I announced, giving the nod for us to proceed. We arranged ourselves smartly in the middle—not spearheading the group of seventeen other players, but certainly not lagging behind. As we strolled past our three enigmatic hosts, decked out in their animal masks, I couldn’t help but stir the air.
“Lovely to meet you,” I declared grandly, earning a slow once-over from the wolf and a curious tilt from the bear. “Oh, don’t do that, you’ll make me blush,” I teased, laying it on thick with mock bashfulness, which only seemed to deepen their interest.
“Never a dull moment with you,” Hael remarked quietly. “You probably made them blush back.”
“You think so? That would be nice. I could always use more fans.”
Aisha laughed. “Maybe you should just charm all the masked folks into clearing the games for us.”
“Now, where would the fun be in that?”
As we rounded the corner, a new figure in a white cat mask elegantly motioned us through another door. Their movements were fluid, almost dance-like. We transitioned into the next hallway, and the scene shifted dramatically. A dizzying black and white checkered pattern stretched endlessly before us, creating a disorienting optical illusion that played tricks on the eye. The floor beneath us began to subtly shift, propelling us forward like a silent escalator. The door shut with a decisive thud behind us. I glanced back just in time to see it vanish into the wall, its outline completely obscured as if it had never existed.
There was no going back.
Chapter Five
Eryx Draven had somehow wound up right behind me.
I was a little miffed at myself for not picking up on this right away. The nearness of him sent a sharp thrill of awareness zipping down my spine, and sensing his gaze on me made my heart flutter oddly. I glanced back only once and instinctively averted my eyes, caught off guard by my own reaction.
The moving floor swept us from the dizzying checkered corridor into a cinema lobby that felt like stepping into another world. The walls were lined with detailed posters of the city of Goetia, scenes from within the Devil’s Playground, and Project Paradise, the beautifully ominous island itself. Down the line, more posters offered aerial shots of the manor we currently occupied, intriguingly stamped with aComing Soonthat ratcheted up my curiosity.Judiciumwas infamous for never using the same venue twice.
The Infernal Syndicate took its secrecy seriously.
The details of each Judgment location were heavily guarded to prevent any leaks about layouts or impending challenges. Too many would exploit the information. But this manor was obviously slated for something big in the future. What exactly I couldn’t say, and frankly, it wasn’t my concern. Once I carved my path to blood-soaked glory, I doubted I’d ever see this place again. I was here to make a mark, not to get attached to the scenery.
The murmur of other contestants filled the air, a mix of excitement and speculation peppered with a palpable sense of nervous anticipation. “Do you think they’re dropping hints about what’s next with these posters?” a tiny blonde wondered aloud, her eyes fixed on the depictions of Goetia—a known city within Devil’s Playground.
“Feels more like they’re setting us up for the nightmares to come,” another half-joked.
As we ventured deeper into the cinema lobby, the decor unfolded dramatically. The stark black and white checkered floor contrasted strikingly against the vibrant splashes of reds and neon greens, crafting a space that was both playful and sinister.
Everyone’s attention was inevitably drawn to the right where the concession stand was. Behind the counter, where snacks should have been, stood two clowns. One wore a mask with a jagged, bloody grin, its hollow eyes exuding pure malice. The other’s face was frozen in a grotesque scream, blood spattered across its exaggerated frown.
One caught our glance and waved cheerfully. Aisha and I, swept up in the moment, waved back automatically. As I redirected my attention forward, I noticed Juno had maneuvered from the front to just a couple of spots ahead of me. I hoped she wasn’t trying to cozy up for my brother’s sake. She’d find no allegiance with me. Ky’s heart, or what he could give of it, was entangled with someone from a rival family—a deliciously messy drama I was all too happy to support from afar.
Raphael, who was proving to be ever observant, pointed out something none of us had noticed: aNow Seatingsign looming ominously above us, listingJudicium: 10:15across every slot.
“Are we heading to that theater next?” a boy with braids inquired.
“Seems like the best move,” Darrel responded.
We proceeded up a subtly inclined ramp, entering a corridor that melded surreal neon blues with stark reds, creating an atmosphere both beautiful and eerie. More posters lined the walls, continuing to depict scenes from the Devil’s Playground: players ensnared in sinister traps or surrounded by the ever-watchful masked huntsmen. The anticipation of stepping intosuch scenes myself stirred a thrilling giddiness within me. I’d finally get to see my brothers and their gorgeous friends in action.
Perhaps I’d take on the persona of a cheerleader. On better thought, perhaps not. Pom-poms and cheering weren’t exactly what I wanted to convey on screen. The idea of twisting words for fun, however, had an appeal.
We neared a peculiar figure by the entrance of theater six: a girl, her makeup a flawless replication of a porcelain doll, held a toy resembling a puzzle. Instead of collecting tickets, she offered them to us with a wide grin.
I remembered to thank her as I accepted mine, with Aisha echoing the gesture. Hael muttered a thanks like he couldn’t believe he was going along with it. You’d think he was used to my random acts of kindness by now. His prompted the girl’s grin to stretch impossibly wider.
“I think she’s taken a liking to you,” I teased.
“Finally. It’s about time I caught up with you in the admirers’ stakes.”
