Page 50 of Lust

“You’re in the top ten.” She pouts. “What more do you want?”

I gnash my teeth against a wave of anger. “I’m in the top ten because, as you so delicately put it, I let Rowena blow me. I don’t want to have to go through a repeat performance. Do you know what the second trial is going to be or not?”

Her face turns sour. “That bitch Noémi won’t tell me anything and I can’t get hold of Hades. He’s ghosting me like I’m a clingy bitch who asked him to give me babies on our first date. Asshole.”

“Well then, you’re no fucking use to me.” I stride to the front door, and even though I’m still naked and stinking of sulfur and Anthura’s perfume, fling it wide.

She stares at me in disbelief. “Wait. I have a plan. Close the door.”

Against my better judgment, I close the door and wait.

“This ball Noémi has been going on about. I’m pretty sure it’s the last trial. I overheard her and Hades talking about it on the first day. It’s a surprise for the contestants.”

“So?”

“So, we know something no one else does. Everyone thinks the ball is happening before the third trial.”

I sit on my bed and rub my chin. “So what’s the plan?”

“That bruise is fading. Why don’t you come down and grab something to eat at the restaurant? You must be sick to death of room service. I’ll tell you my plan down there. It’s not much yet, but it might work.”

Goddamn it.Yet again, she’s turned out to be as useless as a fishnet condom, but she’s right about one thing. I need to get out of these four walls. Being stuck in here is fucking with my mind. I’ve not left the room in days because I don’t want to set my eyes on Rowena, but not doing that is even worse. I’m thinking about her and it’s driving me to distraction.

“Fine! Whatever.” I pull on some clothes and storm out, letting Anthura trail out behind me.

When I see Rowena with her friends in the restaurant, I automatically find a spot well away from them where they can’t see me. I’ve already had to deal with that nosy bitch Snowflake listening in to our conversation this week, no doubt ready to swan right back to Rowena for a good gossip. I’m not going to give her any more ammunition.

As I watch, Remy walks over to them and gives her a kiss on the cheek before sitting in the booth with them. So they are hooking up. My eyes involuntarily trail over to Rowena. She’s smiling as she eats. Something about the way she’s looking so care free has my stomach in knots. My jaw clenches as a waiter appears next to us. “I’ll have a burger and fries. And lay off that pink sauce. It tastes like unicorn cum.”

Anthura orders, then turns to me. “What are you looking at?” She twists her head and follows my line of sight. When she spots where my attention is, she grunts. “Remy is an idiot.”

I grimace and turn my eyes to her. “Agreed. So what are we going to do that’s going to give us the edge in the final trial?

“Well, we still have to get through the second trial tomorrow first, but I’ve been thinking…”

The dual beep of both our portals cuts us off. It’s a message to all of us from Noémi.

SECOND TRIAL STARTS THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW AND THE THIRD TRIAL WILL COMMENCE ONE WEEK AFTER THAT. I HAVE DECIDED THAT THE BALL WILL BE THE THIRD TRIAL SO DUST OFF YOUR DANCING SHOES. IT WILL BE THRILLING.

Anthura’s face pulls in tight like she’s just swallowed a lemon. “Fucking bitch!”

“What was that you were saying?” I snap as I slide my portal back in my pocket. Scraping my chair back, I rise to my feet just as the waiter arrives with our food. “I'll take that to go.”

Anthura doesn’t call after me as I stride away with the plate of food in my hand. I don’t know what makes me do it, but I turn and walk purposefully toward Rowena and her gaggle of loser friends. I pass Candice in one of the booths with Angelis, but she doesn’t even notice me as I stride past her.

“I don't know how to do much, but I know how to dance.” Snowflake's voice reaches my ears as I almost reach Rowena's table. My anger and frustration is palpable and for a moment, I'm driven by the impulse to take it out on someone, but as Rowena’s eyes catch mine and her expression turns to one of defiance, I know I can’t do it. I storm right past them and head back up to my room.

28

AWKWARD AS FUCK

QUINN

“Night.” I kiss Remy’s cheek as we come to a stop at the entrance to the platform. I can see he’s desperate for me to invite him up, but I’m still not ready. A few dates this week aren’t enough to invite him back into my bed. I only just feel comfortable enough to invite him to dinner with the girls. Rowena barely spoke throughout it, only showing emotion when Felix stormed past our table, puffing his chest out in a show of toxic masculinity or whatever. Juliette, on the other hand, pretended to be happy for me.

“See you tomorrow?” Remy asks earnestly.

“It’s the second trial in a couple of days, so I might be getting ready for that.”

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