Chapter 35
SUMMER
W hy am I so nervous?
We are gathered in the kitchen of Willow Tree House to discuss tonight’s Claiming challenge.
Cassie and Siri, along with Kennedy and Autumn, called a council of war to brief us on what is expected. Imogen, me, and three other girls are waiting to learn what will happen later this evening.
Kennedy pours wine into the glasses and grins. “Dutch courage. You’re going to need it.”
Serena, one of the other challengers gasps, “This is seriously fucked up. What happens if we are, um, claimed?”
Kennedy laughs softly. “That depends on who claims you.”
Autumn shivers. “I should have known what River was like from that first moment with him.”
We wait for her explanation.
“He caught up with me in the tunnel and grasped my ankle hard. I squealed, and he was brutal with his words.”
“What did he say?” I ask, curious about the entire challenge.
“He told me I was his now and I would do as he says or face the consequences.”
“That’s hardly hearts and flowers. Wow, a million red flags would have waved at me right then.” I say with an incredulous sigh.
“I didn’t think much about it because, well, I liked him. He was the guy I wanted, and I thought it was just part of the challenge. He dragged me through the tunnel and it hurt a lot. It’s not exactly comfortable down there and I had many scratches on my skin to prove it.”
Imogen’s eyes widen in horror and I reassure her. “Jesse won’t do that—if he’s the one who catches you, that is.”
“How do you know he’s taking part?” Serena asks and I shrug.
“Lucky guess.”
The fact none of the other challengers know who will be taking part adds to the mystery.
However, I know my brother and he always has a plan, and I’m guessing that saving his best friend is high up on his list. I wouldn’t put it past him to have arranged this all around Jesse claiming Imogen and for me to crawl out of the tunnel to safety, single and alone.
I turn to Cassie, who is watching thoughtfully. “Has he said anything to you?”
“No.” She shrugs. “I tried to get the information out of him, but he kept on telling me it was business.”
“That figures.” I chuckle softly. “It’s always business with him.”
“I think you’re right about Jesse, though.” She adds. “Frankie is worried about him and has been for some time.”
She turns to Imogen. “He comes with a lot of baggage, and I’m not sure you deserve that.”
They have obviously spoken at length about this, judging from the message that passes silently between them, and Imogen shrugs. “I like him. I can deal with baggage—we all drag some of that and it shouldn’t define us.”
My respect for Imogen has grown tenfold this week and I will be keeping a careful eye on her in case she’s struggling.
I am protective of people I care about and she had proven to be a good friend to me.
Along with Siri and Cassie, I couldn’t have chosen better and Kennedy has been a great help too.
I consider myself lucky to have fallen into their friendship group, despite the fact my brother is also part of it.
Imogen glances at Cassie. “Tell us what we can expect.”
Cassie nods and smiles at Siri. “You enter the dungeon through the main door. Then bypass the cells where the centurions are locked in their individual ones as they watch you pass.”
“Fuck!”
Molly, one of the others taking part, pipes up. “That sounds creepy as fuck.”
“It adds to the excitement.” Siri adds and Molly raises her eyes.
“You think?”
It makes us laugh as Siri takes over. “You then enter the main chamber where another centurion is waiting. The master of the ceremony. He places a hood over your head and spins you around, disorientating you, leaving you to find the tunnel on your own.”
“So we could be fumbling about in the chamber when the centurions give chase?”
Grace, the final challenger, scoffs. “That’s hardly fair.”
“Have you met my brother?” I chuckle and the girls groan.
Cassie interrupts, “The other girls help guide you before it’s their turn and when you crawl through the tunnel, you reach an apparent dead end. When you hit the wall, grope to your right where there is a loose stone that you can pull away.”
“I’m not freaking Hercules.” Molly gasps and Siri laughs out loud.
“It’s on a spring and glides like silk against the ground. When you crawl through, you can stand and find yourself in another smaller chamber where five tunnels spin off from it.”
“There is an iron door where another centurion will be standing. He will point to the tunnels and you are to choose one. Four lead to a dead end and one to the river.”
“So we crawl inside and wait for whatever centurion claims us?”
Grace exhales sharply. “Fuck. What if I don’t like the guy?”
We all gaze at Kennedy, who faced that same predicament and a soft smile lights her face. “My advice would be to go with it and give him a chance. You can always twist at the end of the semester if you want rid.”
Cassie laughs softly. “Or if you want to commit outside of the challenge. Things worked out well for me and I’m with Frankie because I want to be and not because of the challenge.”
I smile at her softly because I love how they fit together.
She is perfect for Frankie and he knows it.
I’m aware he was concerned about her relationship with Jack and used the Twist ceremony to test their relationship.
It worked. Cassie wants Frankie more than she wants Jack which set him free to be with Siri, who I’ve never seen happier.
Siri nods. “When they catch up with you, they cuff your wrists and ankles and drag you back along the tunnel to the main chamber.”
“Will it hurt?” Serena asks, her mouth dropping open.
“It’s uncomfortable, but unlike River was, the guys are usually careful.”
Cassie nods. “Their job is to protect you and commit to you. Your comfort and happiness is their number one priority and should be yours, too.”
Grace’s eyes shine. “I love the idea. I’ve struggled so hard to meet anyone who doesn’t merely want a few fucks, and then to move on with someone else. I’m bored with the games. I want stability and if a like-minded guy chooses me, then why wouldn’t I give it a shot?”
Molly nods. “Same, which is why I have a question.”
Cassie smiles. “Go on.”
“Why the fifth tunnel? Why enter the challenge if you want your freedom and what happens if you do make it out?”
Siri chuckles. “It’s happened. Both Cassie and me were determined to make it to the other side.
Our participation was the challenge. If I escaped, I would be free to enjoy college life without my cousin making it difficult for me.
Cassie was entered for obvious reasons, but she wanted to prove she was better than Frankie. ”
“I lost.”
The other girls laugh, and Cassie grins.
“I’m not complaining, though. Things turned out well for me.”
“So, what happens if you do find yourself outside?” Serena asks and Siri shivers.
“I had that experience. You must swim the river to the other side, where another centurion is waiting. If you are caught before you reach the other side, you have been technically claimed.”
“Do any make it across?”
Serena’s eyes widen and Cassie shakes her head. “No.”
The room falls silent and Kennedy says loudly, “So, those are your choices. My top tip is to wrestle that hood off at the earliest opportunity. It helps give you an advantage.”
Cassie nods. “The centurions have the disadvantage of their mask and cloaks. I’ve done it and the cloaks catch on the floor and tangle your limbs and the mask is uncomfortable and slips over your eyes.
We hold the advantage and my advice is that when you see them coming, don’t make it easy for them. ”
“Why not?” Grace says in surprise.
“Because every man should fight for his girl. Why give it up at the first opportunity? It’s more fun that way.”
Kennedy raises her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
As we hold up our glasses, my thoughts turn to Luca and I shiver with expectation. I wonder what will happen between us—if he catches me at all.