Brooke asks, “Are we good?”
“I’m not sure. It’s hard to figure out what’s real and what was a lie. Like I was the fool who was the only person not in on the joke.”
“I’ll go over every moment with you and tell you exactly what my intentions were. But the most important thing I need you to know is from the moment I met you I wanted to be friends with you. That part wasn’t forced. I felt really guilty that I had to lie to you. Because it was you.”
“No one deserves it.”
“I know. Mercy was supposed to be my savior, but it was another death trap instead.”
“Did you have anything to do with the first challenge, the invitation acceptance?”
“The car accident? No, I didn’t get an invitation and was planning to be on Remy’s team. However, before the second round was completed, I received a message asking if I wantedto be the Deceiver. I had thirteen minutes to make the decision, and I thought it would give me better odds. Then I wouldn’t have to actually play. But Luca changed that on the roller coaster.”
Everyone around me was playing Mercy before I even met them. “I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around all of it.”
Brooke says, “I don’t blame you for that. It’s all insanity. But please know I’m here if you need a friend or just someone to talk to.”
“Of course he told you.”
“Yes. He wants as many people looking out for you as possible.” She half-smiles at me. “In his own twisted way, I believe he actually does care about you.”
I state, “Twisted and toxic. Don’t sign me up.”
“Yeah. I get it. Nonetheless, we all make mistakes that we believe are for self-preservation, but they end up being our downfall.” She walks away, and I take one more glance at Luca before I head inside the house.
91
IVY
Anthony announces that I have a guest—Cain. It’s not at all shocking. It’s been four days since Luca covered the property in irises and each day it’s been another thoughtful gesture.
“His antics aren’t working, so now he’s sending in reinforcements.”
“Luca doesn’t know I’m here. He never knew I was the other time either. That part wasn’t a trick. I knew he needed you. I’ve watched my best friend become an entirely different guy. Ever since that day, he’s been fighting to be a better man for you.”
“Yeah. If only it were that easy. I want to forgive him. I want to get past all of it. I want to be happy. But guess what, life is cruel.”
“You know Decider was the one responsible for my sister’s death, right? We figured it out when the rules of the last round came out for the sacrifice. Before that, I’d thought she died just playing the game. That bastard deliberately put an end to my sister’s life. I swear to you, Luca never went into that first round expecting it to result in your mother dying.”
“And yet, that still doesn’t change the fact that she’s still dead.”
“No, it doesn’t. But have you ever made a mistake that you’d give anything to take back?” Cain questions as the conversation with my mother rings through my mind.
“That morning. I’d take back what I said to her.”
“Was your mom a forgiving person?” he asks.
“Yes, too forgiving,” I reply.
“Well, what advice do you think she’d give you? Would she want you to forgive, or would she want you to hold a grudge?”
I’m not answering that. Because the circumstances are different. Would she be forgiving if she knew it’d cost her her life? Sadly, probably so. She’d already forfeited her life by staying with my father so she could raise me.
But I’m not her. I’m not even really her daughter. “I can’t. There’s more to it than that.”
“Agreed. There’s much more to it. Including the fact that he tried to quit playing Mercy after the accident. He didn’t show up for the first fight at the Tomb that he was supposed to participate in. When the Keepers found out he wasn’t going to play, they took away his choice. Forced him to stay in the game. They said once the invitation was accepted, the person had to participate.”
“He didn’t have to. It was still a decision at that point.”
