85
“I have a deal for you.”
“This ought to be good.”
I shift my weight from foot to foot and frown at Jaguar where we stand off-camera. He’d pulled me aside as soon as we arrived at the starting point of our challenge, which pisses me off. Any kind of attention from him at this late stage of the Game draws unwanted ire from my fellow competitors.
‘And I’m still angry that he told me he didn’t care who wins, but clearly favours Thorun.’
Right now everyone else is strapping on parachutes ready for the first stage of our next trial.
But the usual Starlen showmanship and competition build-up for the audience has been stalled due to Cherry hyperventilating and Thorun asking a million and one questions, despite being berated by the director.
Once again we’re wearing the ridiculous skin-tight, zip-up catsuits that we’ve worn in every challenge except the first. Only they don’t make much sense now, because they were colour-coded for our rooms and hardly anyone is sticking to those alliances now that we’re not being forced to.
Consequently, while Thorun, Sona and I are still wearing Khaki, Vasiliki and Miranda are in orange, Silke and Claire are in black, the twin is in yellow, and Cherry is in pink.
It’s a salient reminder to us all, though, that there are some rooms now sleeping only one, and none of us should be complacent about our safety.
I try to concentrate on what Jag’s saying, but I didn’t get much sleep today because my conversation with him had played over and over in my mind.
I don’t know why, but despite him favouring her over me it doesn’t sit well with me to eliminate Thorun, even though I know I must. I had no idea he was developing feelings for her, especially since he’d told me he only wanted a marriage of convenience.
And when she’d confided in me that she felt incompatible with him I was sure that must be mutual.
‘Was it all a ruse to keep me concentrating on eliminating other people so she could be furthered in the Game?’
If I was a lesser woman I’d recount the conversation I’d had with her to him. But I’m not. I’m going to continue playing the game as intended, with as much honour as I can, with my eye on the prize.
‘And I came in knowing I had to be totally dispassionate about eliminating rivals. I HAVE to stick to that game plan.’
“Cat, are you listening?”
“Yes.”
“You look a million miles away. Tonight isn’t the night to lose focus.”
“I know that. Just spit it out, Jag,” I wave my hands for emphasis, “these private chats are killing me by increments; you must know that.”
“I don’t wish to cause you any pain,” he frowns.
“Are you crazy? Other competitors are literally drawing targets on my forehead as we speak.”
“Of course, my apologies.”
“So make it quick. What deal are you offering?”
“I won’t give you immorality, Cat, I can’t. But I can give you freedom. If you look after Thorun tonight, I’ll kill your mortal enemy.”
“That’s hardly a good deal,” I scowl, although deep down I’m doing the math and a new strategy is forming.
I thought I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t deal Valentino’s death myself, but I’ve come to realise that without Valentino in the world I’d be free of the shadows of my past. It doesn’t really matter who kills him once I’m married, because even when my identity is revealed, I’ll be safe.
‘And if I fail and die, or the bachelor chooses Thorun? Doesn’t matter, Valentino is still dead.’
Still, I don’t want to give in too soon.
“You’re saying that if I protect Thorun, you’ll kill Valentino — regardless of whether I become your wife.”
“I will.”
I look him in the eye and hold out my hand.
Jag doesn’t realise it, but knowing Valentino and how well he’s shielded, there’s every chance I will, in fact, get immortality.
Especially since I’ve only agreed to protect Thorun for tonight.
For this competition, not the last one. It’s a distinction I’m not going to illuminate for him, but that’s what he’d just said. Protect her tonight.
A deal is a deal.
“I agree. But just so you know, I still intend to marry you. I’ll give you Valentino’s last name the night we become engaged. His head will be the perfect wedding present, but…”
I hold his hand in mine as he tries to withdraw it, and he frowns slightly.
“If you fail, Jag. If you fail to do as promised and destroy him, I want your bite on my wedding day.”
He draws a sharp breath but holds my steady gaze and squeezes my hand gently as he answers.
“You drive a hard bargain. I’d expect no less. Very well.”
“We have an agreement?” I continue to gaze into his sincere eyes, finding it hard to pull away for some reason.
“We have an agreement,” he says quietly. “Good luck tonight, Cat.”
“I don’t believe in luck.”
I drop his hand and turn towards where the others wait, the presenter and director lining up the contestants ready for optimum camera angles and giving last-minute instructions.
Loping towards the group, I frown as I head towards where Thorun stands. A deal is a deal, but I can’t help but think that even though I’d signed Valentino’s death warrant, I may also have signed my own.