Page 141 of Forsaking All Others

“Maybe,” I frown, “but that means Miranda needs to eliminate either you or me. We can’t discount that she isn’t ahead of us and waiting for us to catch up, or behind us and hunting us right now.”

“She might kill Cherry,” Thorun suggests hopefully.

“You'd better hope that doesn’t happen,” I scowl. “You need to kill Miranda. Or I need to kill her, and you claim Claire’s death. Either way, one of us has to end her.”

“Or I have to murder you in your sleep,” Thorun says in a fake homicidal tone.

“Sì,” I snort, “you can always execute the plan you had from day one.”

She giggles, and I shake my head.

“Cherry might already be at the finish line,” I sigh. “But whether Miranda is ahead or behind, sooner or later we’ll have to make a stand. Given that we need to rebuild our strength and our food stocks, it might as well be here.”

“Yes,” she nods. “I think it’s best we stop here.”

Pulling out the last of the jubes from my pocket, we share them, and I feel like Jag’s with us as I ruminate on our best strategy.

‘His sweets. I wonder if he knew how much we truly needed and appreciated them. I wonder if he knows how I think of him whenever I eat one. How, even now when I fall asleep, I’m thinking about how safe his arms felt. I wonder where he is now? If he’s still somewhere out in the forest, hunting Asumpta. I wonder how he’ll feel killing someone who loves him.’

I shake my head and stop my stupid thoughts, the same ones I’ve had for weeks now. Thoughts about his kisses, holding his hands, the feeling he gave me when he sucked my blood. Thoughts that terrify me. And other equally disturbing thoughts, like knowing he can torture someone he’s aware loves him, and how much easier it will be for him to eliminate someone who’s avowed she doesn’t want love.

Right now, surviving this trial has to be my focus.

“So, I guess we’ll work on starting a fire and a proper cabin now. In the coming days when we have more energy we can dig a moose trap, and you can plot how to murder me.”

As she pops the last jube in her mouth the snow starts again, heavier than it has ever been before.

Taking off her pack, she holds out a hand to me and offers our last reserves.

“Jerky?”

“You take it,” I shake my head, “I’m not hungry right now.”

106

I stare at the director for a moment before dropping my face into my hands, and groaning.

I’ve been back at the resort a week, my guards still in place in the woods in case of further attempts by Cat’s enemies, but Asumpta’s threat neutralised.

Wolf had phoned partway through the second week of my hunt to say she’d been sighted in Amsterdam with Spider, and that Falcon now has a full-time watch on her every move. He’ll keep her followed until I get out of the Games, and together we’ll deal with her. I can’t help but think Falcon is reluctant to kill her himself, given that he’s close to Attracta, her twin. I imagine he’s hoping I’ll do the deed. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. This Game has given me food for thought. Cat has given me a new perspective. I’m leaving it more circumspect about risking my life and my honour for other people’s needs, even those I consider family. I’ll need a great deal more information and trust before I jump back into the fray.

Right now, Angie’s safety is still at the forefront of my mind, as is that of the two contestants I’d hoped to take home to meet her on the family visit. As it is, I have a terrible feeling I’m going to be taking two unanticipated ladies to visit my family and friends, one of whom just crossed the finish line.

Sighing heavily, I straighten my shoulders, look up, and nod to the director.

“And…Action!”

“I’m very happy that this contest and indeed this Game is drawing to a close. It’s remarkable that Cherry, the English influencer, has crossed the line first, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about her trials and tribulations when I meet with her.”

“Cut!”

“And the others, Viscount? Any word for what's happening as we speak?”

I turn and look once more at the monitors where Miranda has reached the site where Cat and Thorun had been encamped for the past few weeks.

Miranda’s smart. She’s worked on the assumption no competitor will backtrack and has steadily and stealthily made her way, always keeping the others in front of her. Right now she’s setting up traps for Cat and Thorun around their site, but walking back the way she’s come to spend each night in a shelter she’s made that’s far enough away to ensure smoke from her fire won’t be detected.

Her traps, much like the kind Cat and Thorun have been using for game, are a smart move. It’s obvious she’s decided Cat is too dangerous to tackle the conventional way, especially now she and Thorun have rested.