Page 139 of Forsaking All Others

“Whoever did this gave Silke a gift,” I murmur, “she was mauled by a bear a week ago and her wounds had become infected. She was, I imagine, in a great deal of pain. Someone simply put her out of her misery.”

“Why did you bring her body?” She frowns.

“Silke didn’t deserve to be left to the mercies of carrion eaters,” I shake my head. “Every one of you deserves far greater than that.”

Cat nods and looks back down at Claire.

“I didn’t see who did this to Claire. When I came upon her she was still alive. She screamed, and I ran back to the cover of the forest with her pack before the sound attracted whoever darted Thorun. I used her rope to haul Thorun up the tree. I’ve been up there ever since, waiting for her to wake up and trying to figure out how to evade my enemy’s men.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve dined well tonight on two. Both confessed they were the only ones sent here for you.”

“How do you know they were telling the truth?”

“Because very few don’t when I practice my skills upon them.”

She nods and frowns as she studies Claire’s body, and it’s clear she’s sorting her thoughts. I wonder if she’s imagining this is the kind of thing I do to gain information when torturing. I don’t have the time or inclination to go into that right now.

“How did you get here so fast?” She eventually asks.

“Not fast enough,” I mutter. “I saw Asumpta on the screens, and I saw her heading for Claire. I knew she was going to take out more than one, possibly all of you. She’d started with Claire because we’d shared the last date, but I knew she’d be searching for Thorun because the ridiculous host keeps suggesting she’s a favourite.”

“Isn’t she?” Cat sighs.

“I came as quickly as I could,” I go on, ignoring her question, “but I had no real idea where any of you were and had to be guided only by scent. On my way I found Silke. Cherry’s claimed the kill.”

“And I’ve claimed Claire’s,” she nods. “I tried to get Thorun to claim it, but she refuses.”

“I won’t have murder as my legacy,” Thorun whispers, her words muffled against my throat.

I meet Cat’s eyes over Thorun’s head.

“We’re far from the end,” Cat says, as if answering my unspoken thought.

“I can’t help you get there, Cat, but I have my guards scouring the forest now for Asumpta, and I intend to join them.”

“We’ll be safe,” Thorun sighs.

“Only from external threats,” I murmur. “I can’t interfere in the Games. You won’t see me. And Thorun, you can’t finish unless you eliminate a contestant.”

“I’m not going to finish,” she moans into my shirt.

“Cat will make sure you do. Won’t you, Cat?” I look into her eyes.

“You’re going to drain me when I reach the final two, aren’t you?” She whispers.

“What?”

‘Where the hell did that come from?’

“Just tell me the truth, Jag.”

I shake my head.

“Is that what you think? After everything I’ve told you.”

“What other conclusion is there?”

I reluctantly release Thorun and step across to Cat to place my hands on her forearms and force her to look into my eyes.