Page 76 of Forsaking All Others

In the meantime, as far as I know, she hadn’t discussed the bite at all with any other competitor, and never takes off her ribbon.

As Thorun and I walk in comfortable silence I consider Evelyn’s assertion that Catriona is considered the greatest threat, based on her violent tendencies.

‘So violent. So broken. She brings up more questions than answers, yet I feel a strange affinity with her. Her remarks about honour and friendship had hit home. Yes, I’d made mistakes. Yet haven’t all my troubles been caused in the past few years by Falcon’s fuck-ups? Dishonourable actions brought about by honourable intentions.’

As if reading my mind Thorun asks about my friends back home as she holds up a particularly interesting green shell.

“I have many friends,” I answer slowly as I bend to pick up a pink striped shell and hand it to her. “Human and vampire.”

“Cat says you disappeared for thirty years,” Thorun says, turning to me and smiling. “She said nobody had seen you in magazines or knew anything about you until this year when the Games were announced. Were you on a holiday with your friends?”

‘Yes, she would know that. She’d left no stone unturned, or so it seemed, in preparing for this game.’

“Something like that,” I drawl. “I was farming for a while, and sailing. Do you enjoy yachts?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “I get violently seasick. I’m a landlubber through and through.”

“I understand you enjoy painting as a hobby.”

“Yes, do you have any hobbies?”

“I confess,” I smile, “I very much enjoy cooking. Desserts mostly. Do you cook?”

“No. I mean, I can, a little. I don’t enjoy it. Cat does, she cooks breakfast for us most mornings.”

“Does she?”

“She loves boats too,” Thorun goes on as we continue walking. “Ooh, look!”

I raise my eyebrows as she holds up a large golden coin.

Covering her hand quickly with my own, I pull her violently into my arms. She stiffens, naturally, as the camera pans in, no doubt believing that I’m going to bite or kiss her.

Instead I whisper urgently into her ear.

“Hide it. Don’t show anyone or tell anyone about this, Thorun. Not. A. Soul.”

55

I enter the main shared resort dining and relaxation area to find it half-empty.

It’s late afternoon and I’m awake, which is unusual for me, but I’ve been told to move out of the hospital tent and back in with my fellow competitors. Only I have no idea which tent I’m supposed to set up in, and nobody’s bothered to guide me.

Looking around now I’m surprised at how quiet it is. The sound of the crashing waves nearby is prevalent and soothing, the air-conditioner more so. It’s hellishly hot outside. I expected, given how cool it is inside, to find the usual gaggle of women talking in small groups, bitching, drinking, laughing, plotting. But there’s hardly anyone around. Those who are lolling about are talking in subdued tones. I can’t even hear any of the predictable over-the-top protestations or arguments about who has the biggest connection with the bachelor. Scanning the room for a familiar face, I head towards where Sona’s sitting by herself, sipping a glass of gin and silently watching the others.

“Sona, where is everyone?”

“Oh, you’re back. How are you feeling?”

“Better, although I’m tired. I need to rest but I don’t know where our tent is.”

“Yeah, we’re all resting because there was the trial last night, and another tonight.”

“Oh, God. Tell me I’m not on the list for tonight.”

“You are. We all are.”

“What? Not another cocktail party?”