Stepping out into the lounge it’s quiet. Too quiet.
“Red?”
Nothing.
Is she still dealing with whoever fucking showed up at the door? I head that way but stop in my tracks when the door is wide open. I don’t sense anyone in my apartment but I’m not really aware of any of my surroundings. Opening my surveillance on my phone I head to the door slowly, but I haven’t got a weapon on me and only a towel covering my skin. So my current attack will likely be to jab them in the eye with my fucking nipple or something, but I still go like an idiot.
No one is there, just another card stuck to the door. Fuck sake what now?
COMPLETE THE PYRAMID TO SAVE YOUR FRIEND
Ah shit. They’ve fucking done it now. The rage that already consumed me is tripled in ferocity.
I’ll burn this fucking place to the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
(Luna)
I’m operating on autopilot, lost to it completely. I dress in my classic black ensemble of sports bra and shorts with my boots. It hasn’t stated anywhere what kind of situation this will actually be, but I’m not stupid enough to overlook the fact that this is some form of trial for The Games. To take my friend as some form of threat or incentive for participating I don’t know, but I can feel the war inside of me.
I braid my hair down my back as I would for a fight back home, only this time I need to choose a weapon to take with me. I decide on the daggers I brought from Rafe’s vault, but who knows what I’ll be up against.
My phone has been going off with calls from the guys but fuck them. I check every time because if Rafe does call I’ll have to answer, any form of head up would be useful.
I stand in my lounge letting the rage consume me. I’ve decided against trying to gain control of myself because I haven’t a chance in hell of that happening in time, and the fury in my veins will take out all of the emotion of whatever is about to happen.
I warm my body up and practice moves around the open space. I’m firing on all cylinders. My body ready to go and my mind focused only on the fact that they’ve taken Red.
I attach the blade holsters to my shorts, and I feel as ready as I’ll ever be to get this over with. I don’t even know where I’m going so here’s hoping someone does.
Grabbing my phone in case Rafe calls I’m heading out. Outside a Rolls is waiting for me and I’m thankful Ian is the driver.
“Miss Steele, I’m here to take you to the event when you’re ready,” he says quietly, as if he wishes he didn’t have too.
“Anything you can tell me, Ian?”
He considers me for a moment before he opens the car door for me. Thinking that’s a big fat no I begin to climb in as he whispers in my ear.
“I don’t know what’s going on inside Miss Steele, if I did I would tell you, all I know is that people are going to die today. I pray you aren’t one of them.”
With that he leans back and shuts the door.
Settling into the chair I imagine I would usually feel sick to the pit of my stomach being told something like that, but all I’m focused on is survival and the fact that they took Red.
“Miss Steele, I’m also aware that Rivera, O’Shay, Fuse and Parker were stopped on entry back into the grounds and forced straight to the Combat building,” he adds.
So that’s where I’m going, and apparently there will be an audience.
“Are there many others there?”
“The whole Academy Miss Steele, and another driver just mentioned The Ring are here, although some do not seem too happy, as they were unaware of these events.”
Okay, this is way bigger than I thought which is a clear indication of how crazy this is going to get. I don’t ask any more questions and he doesn’t divulge any more information. We ride in complete silence.
When we pull up outside the Combat building there are a few people milling around, but the sight of the Rolls has them rushing inside. Probably to get a good view of the shit show that’s about to go down.
Ian opens the door for me, and I’m greeted by West. Before I can tell him to fuck off he’s guiding me by the arm whilst turning the screen of his phone in my direction.
I’m wired to make sure I don’t tell you anything. I’m sorry this is happening. You will get through this Moon.
Fuck him and his apologies. I know my brain has closed my past off to me to deal with the pain but he’s just like the rest of them keeping secrets, there is no difference. They can give me whatever excuse they want.
I knock the phone away discreetly, saying nothing just letting him drag me along. As we get to the main doors, I can hear everyone on the other side. West lifts my chin forcing me to meet his stare, but he must be able to see that something has triggered me, because he strokes his finger near my eyes, knowing why they look so different, so bleak. He places a gentle kiss to my head, and I’ve had enough, pushing back from him.
“Are you ready?” he asks and all I can do is shrug my shoulders.
Am I ready? No.
Do I need to do whatever it takes to survive and make sure I have Red with me? Yes.
With that he opens the door and the screams of the crowd fills the air. I don’t know where to put my eyes first.
The students
