Page 29 of The Chosen Fae

The water was up to their ankles, then their knees, and they floated off the rock. When they reached the ceiling, they began pounding on it. The other wolves were swimming in the water now too.

Stone pushed out a ceiling tile and climbed into the ceiling. He grabbed Rune’s hand and pulled her out of the water, and they used the struts to walk on until they could finally get out of the building.

They could hear the others trying to break out ceiling tiles to climb into the ceiling.

At least the water wasn’t rising into the ceiling. Rune and Stone kept moving until they could reach a grate. Rune kicked at it. Then Stone finished kicking until they knocked it out. To their surprise, they found a staircase waiting just for them. Rune took Stone’s hand, and they ran down it and found themselves outside.

Lolita ran to hug them. “You made it.”

“But you made it first.” Rune hugged her back. “Good job.”

“Yeah, we’re proud of you. The others will be shocked to learn you were the first one out.”

Then the others started coming out of the open grate and heading down the stairs.

They were as soaking wet as Rune and Stone.

“The game has ended, and the winner is Lolita,” the Game Master said.

Rune and Stone cheered her.

Vesper said, “No way.”

“Yep, she beat us all,” Rune said, proud of her.

“You may return to your rooms and shower and dress in something dry,” the Game Master said.

“That was a stupid contest,” Vesper said.

Yeah, if he didn’t win it, he didn’t like it. Which meant he didn’t like any of the challenges so far.

“Do you think we could have made it out through the floor?” Stone asked Rune.

“Maybe. I think there were possibly several ways out. If we had moved the floor tile sooner, before the water started filling the building, we might have been able to get out through there. But once the water began filling up, it would have run down into the sub-basement or whatever it was, and we might not have made it.”

“We need to lose a challenge on purpose because everyone is following us, and then we can let them lose too,” Stone said.

Rune smiled. “Except for the tug-of-war contest and the escape room contest that Lolita won, no one else has won any of the other challenges.”

He liked that Rune and he had unique perspectives on how to solve challenges, mainly because they were used to dealing with them on their own in their respective glens. The other wolves had grown up in packs, and for the most part, older wolves had taken care of them. He couldn’t help but admire Rune’s no-nonsense traits. She never gave up or got flustered.

After they dressed and went to eat dinner, Lolita had a special feast, and even a sponsor had taken her on. She was so excited, she had to tell Rune and Stone first. But then they all separated, and Stone and Rune ate at their own tables, not wanting anyone to believe they were teaming up.

Pari approached Stone at his table. “Can I sit here?”

“If you want. It’s a free table.”

“I’m surprised you’re not sitting with Rune.”

“She likes being a lone wolf.” He ate some of his chicken.

“We want you to team up with us.”

“With whom?” Not that Stone had any intention of it, but he was curious about who he was supposed to team up with.

“Vesper and the rest of us. You have good instincts.”

“And Rune?”