Page 24 of Lust

“Babes!” Juliette says, her hand hitting her chest. “When am I not uncontrollably horny? Look at this cake, eh? It’s a fucking disgrace to leave it.” With that, she picks up a fork and stabs it into the cake before taking a huge bite.

Rowena's brows knit together, mirroring an expression that I’m sure is showing on my face, too. It's evident that Juliette is hiding something from us, something to do with Orlin. Despite Rowena's jest about him being a covert “stud muffin,” my imagination falls short on imagining any particular scenario that Orlin could be described as that. I can’t imagine it at all.

13

PSYCHO NYMPHO BARBIE

QUINN

No one looks happy, apart from the possible exception of Juliette, as we gather around the meeting area the next morning. Noémi skips round us as she always does, brushing her hand over each of our shoulders as she walks round the back of us.

Dade isn’t here. I know I should feel relieved, and I am, but mostly I’m curious, and a little grateful. What happened yesterday in the Earthery was horrific.

“Good morning, bonjour, Mes beaux amis!” Noémi says in her usual exuberant way. She looks beautiful as always, with the pink light highlighting her curls and matching her pink leather jumpsuit. Psycho Nympho Barbie. Behind her, Arch and Asmodée stand, arms crossed and staring ahead as usual. I’ve yet to hear either of them talk, though it’s apparent that talking isn’t in their job description. Noémi claps her hands together. “’Ow did you all get on yesterday? Did you all like my leettle trial?”

One of the people from another tower answers. I think his name is Jake. “As much as I like being shafted by a syphilitic baboon.”

Next to him, Felix murmurs just loud enough for us all to hear. “I’d rather that than what I had to go through.” His eyes travel over to Rowena, who stiffens beside me. I take her hand and braid my fingers through hers. At her other side, I see Juliette do the same.

My gaze glides across the sofas, and I notice Candice seated beside Remy once more, though they maintain a slight distance—a few inches apart. Despite everything, a sense of relief washes over me. I try to picture how it would have been if it was Remy with me yesterday, but try as I might, my brain won’t conjure it.

“Ze second part of ze first trial weel be set for ze same time tomorrow,” Noémi announces.

“Second part?” Rowena asks weakly. My heart sinks. I thought I was a third of the way through this circle already. I can tell I’m not the only one this is news for. I can hear the collective dismay in the form of sighs and whispers coming from the other contestants.

“I want to show you somezing first,” Noémi continues, seeming ambivalent to the anxiety she’s causing. “Everyone please turn and look toward ze restaurant.”

I tilt my head to the right, and the windows that form the far wall of the restaurant have transformed, displaying a leader-board instead of the usual simulated view. With a start I see Juliette’s name taking the top position. What the hell did she do in there?

INFERNO GAMES

JULIETTE PEREZ - 10

ORLIN MOSS - 10

MAGGIE HOLMES 9

COLIN HOLMES -9

I scan down the rest of the names until I find my own.

QUINN VALENTINE - 4

DADE ANGELIS - 4

My embarrassment grows to epic proportions as I realize that my little show yesterday was for nothing. I cringe as I remember what I went through and for only four points.

Below us, right down at the bottom of the board, there’s Felix and Rowena with not a single point between them.

Jake raises a hand and Noémi nods at him. “What exactly are the scores for because I had to do things yesterday that not even hard core porn has readied me for and I’m pretty sure I deserve at least a nine.”

I look for his name on the board. His partner is a quiet guy named Adam. They both got seven points each. I get the feeling that they wouldn’t be partners unless they were forced together. I don’t even know if either of them is gay. I'm reminded that the previous trial in Purgatory paid no heed to people's sexual orientations, a detail I doubt Noémi considers significant. I don’t even think sexual orientations are a thing in this Circle. People just sleep with anyone.

Noémi smiles, and I feel a frisson of sexual energy ripple out. I don’t have a thing for Noémi, but her aura is all-encompassing. I shake it off. “Ah, mesdames et messieurs, you see, Mademoiselle Perez and Monsieur Moss, zey truly immersed zemselves in ze trial, hence zheir impeccable score. While a few of you completed ze trial, ze lack of enthusiasm was quite palpable. Certain individuals, I must say, lost points due to, 'ow shall I put it, rather uninspiring efforts.”

My stomach drops and I wonder if she’s talking about me. I wasn’t aware that I had to pull off an Oscar winning performance in the throes of orgasm. Maybe next time I’ll pull an Academy Award out of my ass at the same time as screaming out Dade’s name.

“And lastly,” Noémi continues. “Some chose not to collaborate effectively with zheir partners, resulting in quite a dismal score.” She casts her gaze to Felix and delivers a disappointed look.

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