26
COOPER
Everyone in the Training Centre stares as we walk in.
That’s not uncommon at all, but I worry it might make Ezla pull away from Alby and Tiger, because that sight definitely is.
I mean, The Bonding Games Champion holding hands with two Evots?
With anyone, full stop? I would have laughed had someone told me they’d seen anything like it just a few weeks ago.
Moreover, she obviously doesn’t have her sleek helmet on, and though the world has seen her face at the Halfway Ball, it’s been largely hidden again since because of Joseph.
And we don’t have access to social media, so I’ve not seen the long-term evidence of her face reveal around the world, but I’m certain it’ll be the topic of conversation and speculation for a long, long time.
So I watch her carefully as I walk directly behind her with Tate on one side of me, and Scotty on the other, taking in her every move.
I swear if one bad look is thrown her way, I’ll go into full-blown Tate-mode.
Said brother is already glaring at everything and everyone every time he manages to pull his eyes away from HC’s swaying ass.
But Vengeance doesn’t even react, simply keeps striding along purposefully, spine straight, head held high as usual, her grip on Tiger’s and Alby’s hands unwavering as she leads us over to our private training room, walking us past the Simulation Hexagon where Player 2, the last remaining Player without a Bonded after losing his early on, moves about.
He’s skilled, but I have to look away, because I know damn well he won’t make it despite what has to be an exceptional Score.
Worse, it might be someone from my group who ends him.
When we enter our training room and the door locks behind us, Tiger pouts as Ezla finally lets go to place her hands on her hips as she turns to us.
“Go through your routines as usual.” In our minds, she says, I have no doubt my— Joseph is still watching us, so we will keep any conversations concerning him to our minds.
Shit. With all the other crap going on, I’d almost forgotten about the cameras.
She continues, And you will never wander off on your own, of course, though I know you do not usually.
Our new connection will prevent him from killing any of you, but I do not doubt that he will attempt to harm you in other ways.
Gloves on, my jaw tenses as I grab two dumbbells from the weight rack, and I send back, What are you thinking are our next steps?
As before, I must do this alone. I am not too worried about the cameras anymore considering we no longer have to put on a show, but I would like to get a hold of your citizen tablets. I do not trust Joseph with them.
Fuck that. We’re helping you this time, Vengeance, whether you like it or not.
“Heavier!” HC barks aloud, and I jolt slightly before huffing and giving in to her punishment.
Setting the weights back down, I grab two 40 kg ones, muscles straining with the effort.
I usually use the 30 kg or 35 kg dumbbells, so this is a bit of a fucking stretch.
Guess we’ve already established that I’m a big bloody simp, though, so it shouldn’t be surprising that I do what HC asks without question.
I used to like to preserve my pride, but it’s always on the other side of the planet when it comes to her.
In my mind, I hear that velvet sin again: What can you do? You did not find the tablets when you stormed the penthouse.
Neither did you, I fire back. Besides, that wasn’t exactly on our bloody minds, Vengeance. All we could think about was you. All we were looking for was you.
She falters, eyes boring into me as I find a space to begin my first set of deadlifts.
Scotty’s voice comes next as he finds his place at the far left side of the room and jumps up, hands latching onto one of the pull-up bars over there. We’ll look together, Love. I’m putting my foot down this time. You’re not doing this alone anymore. Not after what happened last time.
She internally scoffs. As if you could tell me what to do—
Please, Ezzy, Tiger begs, his voice sounding unstable even in her mind.
When it’s silent for too long, Tate adds helpfully, I’ll chain you to our Bonded bed if you try to say no.
Very, very slowly, Ezla’s head turns his way. I do hope you are prepared to face the consequences of that threat later on, my beast.
Pupils blowing out, he almost drops the barbell he’s lifting on his face before stiffening the muscles in his arms again. Fuck yeah, I’m ready for punishment, baby.
Huffing, she’s about to snap back when Alby gets us back on track with a timid and shaky, Please let us help you, Ezla . . . I—I can’t go through that again . . .
Her growl vibrates the walls of my mind. Why must you all insist on putting yourselves in danger? I now do not want you harmed these days, and yet you seem extremely determined to put yourself in its way.
We’re determined to keep you safe, Scotty corrects calmly.
I can protect myself.
Don’t. The word is harsh, but my temper can only be kept on a leash for so long.
You might not like it, and fuck, I can feel how much, HC .
. . but you need us. She seems to recoil inwardly, but I determinedly push on, You even admitted that part of the reason you trained us was for this, so we could be your soldiers, your guards, to work against your father.
But you are not that any longer. You are . . . you are my . . . You are just mine, she no better than snaps, as if furious that she can’t find a better explanation.
Warmth floods the bond from all angles.
We are. Scotty’s tone gentles. But you feel that? That protectiveness you’re feeling for us now?
Her jaw grinds, but she doesn’t deny it. It would be impossible to when we’ve both seen those feelings in her actions and heard them in her words.
Scotty continues, We feel that too. Fuck do we feel that—we always have. The need to keep you safe and with us is always there, Love, and it’s so strong it’s fucking agony sometimes. It is agony when you refuse to let us be there for you.
Ezla’s side of the bond falls dead silent.
And so I’m taking this decision out of your hands. I’d like your approval, as I don’t like being at odds with you in any way, but we’re not sitting out. We face everything together from now on.
Vengeance’s teeth grind so hard, I can almost hear it from here, and she says, I hate you all, before heading off to warm up and carry out her own set of exercises.
***
“Release me.”
“But, Havoc,” Tate groans as he attempts to pull her into his lap on our lunch break as my brothers and I sit around the dining table with our meals.
“We do not have time for this. I will bind your wrists behind your back and have Cooper feed you if you do not obey me in the next five se—”
He releases her with the most horrified expression on his face. “Fuck no!” He shoots me a disgusted look like I have the lurgy. “Only you can feed me, Havoc.”
“It’s not like I’d want to do that either,” I huff, scowling right back. Then I look up at Ezla. “Also, why the fuck would it have to be me?”
“Because you piss me off the most, and you are also right there.”
I scoff.
Taking the seat on Tate’s right now that she’s free, Ezla says, “Fortunately, there does not need to be too much planning for The Maze. We have our mind connection and our armoury sticks to aid us, and you are all exceptional fighters. I will say that I would advise you to manifest your Avri into the weapons you are most skilled with the moment the Game starts. For you, Alby, that would be the bow and arrow. Tate, I am aware you despise axes simply because I do, but it is your best weapon before daggers.” He grumbles at that before she continues, “Scotty, I would recommend two swords or a sword and a dagger; however, you are also exceptional with a bow and arrow. Tiger and Cooper, I will suggest two daggers, but you are both very good with throwing stars, too, so either is acceptable. Of course, if you were to use your bows and arrows or throwing stars, you must be prepared to switch at a moment’s notice for hand-to-hand combat, as an opponent could be right around any corner. ”
Moving on, she says, “Our last Game was a bit of a disaster”—that’s putting it mildly—“so I am not surprised to see no difference in the shade of your Avri clusters, but your Scores are certainly higher than they were during Game 3. Since Joseph has your citizen tablets, I am not sure what he will do there when you are observed in Game 5 and the judges undoubtably find your skills and techniques improved.” Then she pauses and tilts her head.
“On second thought, he would not want to see me with pathetic-looking Bonds. He would not want the world to see you as weak and have that reflect poorly on me, so do not worry.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the colour of my suit, Vengeance. Trust me, I’m not worrying about anything but him trying to fucking brainwash one of us like he did you.”
Eyes humungous, Alby’s head whips my way.
“Tate.”
At Ezla’s false-placid tone, the beast of a man smacks me upside the head with no gentleness whatsoever.
“Fuck!” Shoved forwards, my hands fling up to the throbbing space. “What the hell?!” I can’t seem to decide who deserves my furious glare more: Ezla or Tate.
“Do not worry my shy boy unnecessarily. The Game Master would need your body for that, otherwise he would have attempted to warp my mind far sooner through my own citizen tablet and my connected Avri.”
I throw my hands up. “How was I meant to know that?!”
“By using your brain.”
Groaning, I dump my elbows on the table and rub at my face.
But as I process her words, I realise she’s right: Joseph wouldn’t go through all the trouble of putting her in that tube and keeping her asleep if he could’ve warped her mind a far easier way.
“Can you blame me for worrying? Avri’s fucking stressful sometimes.
We have no idea the damage it could do.”