Page 52 of Mercy & Malice

His mouth returns to mine, savoring for a minute before he pulls away. “It’s almost time to head to the old Belgrave. We’ll be in the winner’s circle before you can blink.”

He has never been more wrong. “It’s just a stupid game.”

Micah studies me before he says, “Don’t get scared on me now. It’s almost done. Then you and I will have everything in our corner to set things right.”

Another grave assumption. And he’s about to find out because we head to the old campus. I tell him that I need to go check on my mom. And I should. But when I get to the hospital, I just sit in the car until it’s time to head to the challenge.

Once I walk down into the mausoleum, I wait quietly until Decider appears at midnight. “Face the truth if you dare. You proved worthy of trust in the last round. But what is trust without truth? Trust remains fragile even after established.”

Ivy impatiently queries, “Can you get to the point?”

Luca’s concern for her is clear as he tries to pull her to him and says her name.

But she explodes with anger. “What? Is he going to kill me like he did Remy?” Then she turns her rage on Decider. “How can you stand there and pretend like this shit is okay when someone died?”

Decider remarks, “The dead are gone. The blood is shared amongst us all.”

Ivy shakes her head. “More fucking riddles. He was your friend and you’re fine with all of this.” Her arms flail around as she asks Micah and me, “Is this really worth it?”

No. “We don’t have a choice.” Right? A simple game shouldn’t have life-and-death stakes, but the Keepers have made Mercy lethal.

Luca and Ivy are led into a tomb as I follow Micah into the one across the hallway.

We both take a seat in the chairs in the center of the room as we’re left there alone.

Micah leans forward, his hands on my thighs as he says, “Relax. This one should be a breeze.”

I can’t do this anymore. “Micah, I⁠—”

But I’m cut off when the door opens and Decider enters. “Truth is inevitable. Everyone must accept that before they can advance to the final round. Each team has a secret that will bond or destroy the trust that was built over the entirety of Mercy. Whose bond is strong enough to withhold and earn the right to make it to the end?”

His two cloaked companions enter the tomb, each holding a vial as Decider continues, “Drink up. Reveal the truth. Then accept the fate that follows.”

There’s no good way out of this.

Micah takes one, eyeballing the blackish-red liquid. “What’s in the test tube?”

“Something to help you relax and reveal your truth.”

Without any more hesitation, he downs the contents so easily. Then grins at me. I look between the vial and Micah. “No. We don’t know what’s in it. If we’re allergic to it. What it’ll do. I can’t do this anymore. I’m so sorry.” I don’t have to work at crying because it’s natural and already flowing as I betray one of the most important people in my world.

Concerned, he calmly tells me, “It’s okay. I took it. I’m fine. You don’t have any allergies. Why poison us intentionally and end Mercy here? One more step, then we’re in the finals. You’ve got this.”

I think I’m going to be sick, and I haven’t even drank the poison. “Don’t hate me.” Unable to meet his eye any longer, I rush out of the room. Micah’s shouts echo throughout the mausoleum. Running and stumbling through the cemetery, I don’t look back because I understand that my demons are catching up with me and it’s time to pay up.

27

BROOKE

Sitting in the darkness and muteness is playing tricks on my mind, because I swear I’m seeing a shadow in the corner, but when I get up and cautiously walk towards it, nothing is there.

“I’m losing it. Like legit going insane,” I tell Micah as he remains on the floor, his back on the bars, his hands hanging over his knees.

When he doesn’t respond, I continue with my assumptions, “It’s definitely been longer than normal. Warden drops crackers once a day, I think. And they’ve dared us to do something between each time. He’s been back a few times. Why are they waiting so long?”

His posture stays the same as he says, “To make us go insane and drown in our thoughts.”

“Okay. So crazy people are trying to make us crazy. And you are way too calm. I need you to be a lot less nonchalant about this and get concerned with the routine changeup.”