106
I stare at the director for a moment before dropping my face into my hands, and groaning.
I’ve been back at the resort a week, my guards still in place in the woods in case of further attempts by Cat’s enemies, but Asumpta’s threat neutralised.
Wolf had phoned partway through the second week of my hunt to say she’d been sighted in Amsterdam with Spider, and that Falcon now has a full-time watch on her every move.
He’ll keep her followed until I get out of the Games, and together we’ll deal with her.
I can’t help but think Falcon is reluctant to kill her himself, given that he’s close to Attracta, her twin.
I imagine he’s hoping I’ll do the deed. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.
This Game has given me food for thought.
Cat has given me a new perspective. I’m leaving it more circumspect about risking my life and my honour for other people’s needs, even those I consider family.
I’ll need a great deal more information and trust before I jump back into the fray.
Right now, Angie’s safety is still at the forefront of my mind, as is that of the two contestants I’d hoped to take home to meet her on the family visit.
As it is, I have a terrible feeling I’m going to be taking two unanticipated ladies to visit my family and friends, one of whom just crossed the finish line.
Sighing heavily, I straighten my shoulders, look up, and nod to the director.
“And…Action!”
“I’m very happy that this contest and indeed this Game is drawing to a close. It’s remarkable that Cherry, the English influencer, has crossed the line first, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about her trials and tribulations when I meet with her.”
“Cut!”
“And the others, Viscount? Any word for what's happening as we speak?”
I turn and look once more at the monitors where Miranda has reached the site where Cat and Thorun had been encamped for the past few weeks.
Miranda’s smart. She’s worked on the assumption no competitor will backtrack and has steadily and stealthily made her way, always keeping the others in front of her.
Right now she’s setting up traps for Cat and Thorun around their site, but walking back the way she’s come to spend each night in a shelter she’s made that’s far enough away to ensure smoke from her fire won’t be detected.
Her traps, much like the kind Cat and Thorun have been using for game, are a smart move. It’s obvious she’s decided Cat is too dangerous to tackle the conventional way, especially now she and Thorun have rested.
And she’s right.
Holed up in a hastily built but sound cabin, they’d bolstered their diet with white rabbits, squirrels, and more importantly, raised their spirits with rest and laughter.
Neither seems to be aware that an enemy watches and waits, but I remind myself that Cat is always aware. Those knowing eyes miss very little.
‘Don’t let that slide now, Cat.’
“Ah, Viscount, are you sure you don’t want to comment? After all, it’s apparent that in the coming days the last two of your final three will be decided and, ah, it may not be the competitors you, or we, were expecting, if nature takes its course.”
‘I won’t let that happen.’
“I don’t have anything to say,” Mr Dott.
“Not even a word of concern for your favourite?”
I shake my head.
“She can look after herself.”