Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Some days, Peter would arrange dance lessons, using the talent he’d learned from a Latin exchange student at school to hide the fact that we needed to whisper so closely.
As each of us took turns dipping and swaying, we’d trade information on which guard seemed particularly disgruntled and those who looked like they could be turned.
Mollie also worked with one of the new boys, Carlos. Peter had told the new jewels about our ticking countdown a fortnight ago. A few had agreed to help. Others had huddled deeper into their terror. But Carlos—who’d been studying engineering—worked closely with Mollie, highlighting what walls and corners were load bearing and where best to place the next lot of presents.
Jerking me to a stop, Henri grabbed me around the nape and made me trip into him. “Remember…you say Khushi if I go too far, okay?”
My eyes flared before I nodded. “Do you think tonight might be bad?”
“I have no idea, but—”
“Ah, Henri!” Victor strolled toward us, gifting Henri a flute of champagne. Another man kept pace at Victor’s side. A younger, handsome blond who looked more at home in the surf than in a rapist’s nightclub on a hidden island.
Vic waved a hand at the man. “Travis here was just saying how I haven’t played Topaz Torment in a while. He’s keen. Are you?”
Henri stiffened and let me go.
I tripped a little, dropping my eyes like a good little jewel.
What the hell did Topaz Torment entail?
And just how badly would I be bleeding by the end of it?
“Sure.” Henri accepted the champagne and tossed it back in a single mouthful. “Sounds fun.”
“You don’t even know what the rules are yet, mate.” Travis smirked, his accent heavily Australian.
“I’ve learned that each of Vic’s games are well worth playing.” Henri pointed at the blue braille scar on my thigh. The sapphire dust glittered in the H branding me as his.
“Ah, you lucky duck. I’ve heard about Sapphire Scars.” Travis toasted Henri with his beer bottle. “Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure.” Nudging Vic with his shoulder, he grinned. “Fancy letting me scar Talia?”
Victor sipped his champagne. “Perhaps. For now, don’t be greedy. I’ve agreed to play Topaz Torment. How about be grateful for that, hmm?” Before Travis could reply, Victor smiled slyly. “Henri? If you’d be so kind and allow your jewel to come with me. We’ll get started.”
Henri’s energy pulled shadows from the nightclub, coiling around him like a typhoon. “Why do you need to take her?”
“You’re about to find out, aren’t you?” Victor reached for me.
Henri jerked my leash, making me trip into him. “I’d rather know before—”
“Henri.” Victor clucked his tongue. “Haven’t I been exceedingly accommodating to you? I’ve tolerated your little whispers and enjoyed watching you fuck her. But the matter still remains, I believe you’re in love with her. This little game will help—”
“I’m not fucking in love with her.” Henri crossed his arms, the leash in his hands cutting my collar into my neck. “I’m just obsessed with her.” His voice turned crude and crass. “She milks my dick real good, Vic. Is that a crime?”
“No of course not. But…I’m doing this for your benefit. I told you, my dear friend, you won’t be truly free until you’re cast from such human emotions. This might be the beginning of that freedom.” Tapping Henri on the cheek, Victor winked. “You’re still too close to that line of caring. Tonight, it’s time to give you another teeny, tiny push.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
……………………….
Henri
SEPTEMBER
THE GAMES ALL BLURRED TOGETHER.
Topaz Torment pushed both our limits.
But we survived.
But then there was Moonstone Marks. Then Amber Lashes. Citrine Cuts, Opal Welts, and Quartz Scream.
On and on and on.
Victor had an endless amount of sick and twisted entertainment. On top of the porn put on every night and another treasure hunt he organised on the night of a full moon, he kept us all very busy.
Luckily, Ily and I had already discussed what we’d do if we had to play that particular game again. We didn’t speak as Victor chased the jewels out of his castle with a loaded pistol then gave the Masters permission to hunt.
Ily went straight to the recycling shed by the kitchens.
She took Mollie and Rachel with her.
Peter refused.
He preferred to run with the others, doing his best to put himself in danger over them.
As the silvery cast of the moon revealed Masters darting around in the dark, some getting lucky and catching unfortunate jewels, I stood guard on the threshold of the shed and protected my heart, a pregnant girl, and a friend.
The next day, Peter came to breakfast hobbling on feet that’d healed, covered in fresh bruises that had not.
My chest had grown tight.
I’d had the unbearable urge to leash him to me so no one else could hurt him.
By the end of September, Victor had to go away for a week on business, leaving our nights to ourselves once again.