15. Chapter Fifteen Last Supper
Chapter Fifteen: Last Supper
Tess
We ordered pizza for dinner, and Addie did my skull makeup just like before with the neon, glitter, and sequins.
“I wish you’d done this for me earlier. I would have worn it every year.”
“You would have gotten bored of it,” she reminded me as she added another sequin to the ring around my eyes.
“Probably.” I laughed.
She smiled, but her eyes were clouded over with barely contained tears. I pretended not to notice. If we both started crying, we’d never stop.
I wore easy-to-move-around-in leggings with my two daggers in holsters fastened around my ankles and a T-shirt scrawled with Treat or Treat: Lick a Witch.
“I can’t believe you’re going to wear that in there.”
“It’s my favorite.” I didn’t say out loud, if it’s my last night, I want to wear it one last time , but I think she understood anyway. She dropped her head with a nod and turned around to pick up a hairbrush for me.
We set out at ten o’clock, the chilly October air coaxing us along like a sinister phantom as we made our trek to the Devil’s Delirium site. The sky was cloudless–a deep, velvety black, speckled with the faint glimmer of distant stars. Our footsteps were softened by a layer of fallen leaves over the sidewalk, their musty scent coming together with the aroma of pizza and Chinese food among the many take-out shops along the way.
As we edged closer to the Victorian mansion, its plum fa?ade blackened by night, the excited chatter of spectators grew louder. Eerie red lights danced across the building, and ominous music wafted through the air, punctuated by occasional shrieks and roars. Real or recorded? With ninety-nine percent of us about to die, I couldn’t imagine why they’d bother with theatrics.
The roped-off area formed a narrow corridor through which contestants would make their way to the front. A layer of fog obscured our view, enveloping everything in a ghostly haze. My heart pounded, a primal instinct urging me to flee. But I couldn’t back down now. Ivan had to be stopped, no matter the cost.
As we approached, I caught sight of a cluster of imposing figures dominating one section of the crowd. These were men who looked like they’d stepped straight out of a gritty biker bar, their very aura exuding danger and defiance. Massive frames bulged with muscle beneath well-worn leather jackets adorned with cryptic patches and gleaming metal studs. Many sported full, unkempt beards that merged seamlessly with wild manes of hair, giving them a feral, almost wolfish appearance .
The acrid smell of cigarette smoke and motor oil clung to them, mingling with an underlying scent of something wilder—a hint of their supernatural nature. As they shifted restlessly, the clink of chains and creak of leather added to the tense atmosphere.
I stood behind a few large, hairy shifters, waiting my turn. When they moved on, a vampiress with purple hair looked me up and down. “You sure?”
I swallowed, annoyed at the dryness of my mouth. “Yes.”
She gave a curt nod and leaned in. “The winners aren’t always the burly knuckleheads. If you’re agile and clever, you have a chance. Don’t let them intimidate you.” She held out a black wristband with blue “Beast of Blood Moon” lettering.
“Thanks.” I slipped it on, marveling over the support from this badass-looking vampiress.
Addie gripped my arm, her knuckles white. “I love you,” she whispered fiercely. “And I hate you for leaving me.”
“I love you too. I’m sorry.” I pulled away before I could change my mind. “Stay positive. Maybe I’ll see you in the morning.”
The front door of the house opened, and a man emerged from the dark depths. His silhouette blended with the shadows, creating a menacing figure clad in a long, midnight black jacket that rippled with every movement. As he stepped into the glow of the surrounding red lanterns, the stern visage of Gustav Valorsyn, supernatural boss of the city, came into focus.
The crowd fell into a hushed silence. Gustav’s voice, rich and resonant, pierced the stillness. “Good evening, everyone. Tonight marks the third installment of the Devil’s Delirium, a test of brains and brawn, a chance for one brave soul to seize glory and emerge the crowned Beast of Blood Moon. ”
As he spoke, the atmosphere crackled with energy, inky shapes shuttering across his impassive face. Valorsyn was a harsh, inconsistent leader, inspiring a fear-based respect that had us all constantly watching our backs.
“Silence!” Valorsyn demanded as the crowd stirred restlessly. “The first rule of Devil’s Delirium is... there are no rules! Stay alive, and may the gods smile on you until you’re the last one standing.”
I searched the crowd of contestants as they lined up and nearly jumped out of my skin when I caught Ivan’s eye. He was glaring up at me with his head down like Pennywise. The terror inside was like a hurricane, threatening to overwhelm me, but I couldn’t let it win. Ivan could not be allowed to freely collect all the power he would undoubtedly get just from walking around inside that house.
As we stood shoulder to shoulder, I braced myself for whatever fate awaited. The massive doors of the mansion creaked open, revealing a yawning hollow beyond. My skin crawled as Gustav’s final words echoed behind us:
“Once you’re inside, there is no getting out again until the end. Make sure you’re prepared to do everything necessary to stand victorious.”
I stepped forward into the unknown, the house seeming to swallow us whole as the doors slammed shut behind us.