The pastel-themed table is crammed full ofthings.
Trays of tiny, triangle sandwiches sit atop the pale blue linen tablecloth, interspersed with platters of tiny cakes on layered floral china circles. Vases are crammed everywhere, packed full of roses in different colors.
My gaze drops down, taking in the jeweled lilac bottle in front of me. It glitters in the light. The tag attached to it only says one thing.
Drink me.
I glance around.Everyonehas one. On my other side, Aiden reaches for his blue bottle, tall and sleek, weighing it in his hands as his lips press together.
Chess and Buck, across from me, look equally grim as they assess their own bottles.
“Alyss,” Red says silkily. “You have an extra special sign beneath your chair. Just for you. If you wouldn’t mind collecting it and putting it on.”
The four of them turn to me.
I wonder if I look as panicked as them as I slowly reach beneath my feet. Everything feels like it’s moving… slower.
The sash is soft in my hands, a silky blue that matches my dress. I unfold it, glancing down.
The bottom swoops out of my stomach.
“Well?” Red sounds all too delighted. “Put it on.”
Chess is going to lose his shit.
I toss the sash over my head before I grip the table,
They all stare at the words splashed across my body.
“No,” Buck says immediately. His eyes lift to mine, turning impossibly darker.
Chess says nothing at all. But he stares at those words, his jaw tightening.
Eat me.
“Since there will be no auction,” Red murmurs, “I’m offering a feast instead. And on the menu is one, rather lovelyAlyss.”
My body turns cold.
“But first,” Red continues. We sit there, frozen in place. “You must have your drinks – so important to keep hydrated, after all. Chess – itisChess, isn’t it? You first. And make sure you get every drop!”
Chess doesn’t move. His head lowers, his breathing harsh.
He reaches for the orange bottle in front of him. Weighs it.
And then he stands andthrowsit across the clearing as hard as he can.
It misses Red by less than an inch. She ducks, a shriek ripping from her mouth.
I turn to stare at Hatter. He hasn’t moved. He doesn’t even look as though he’s breathing. Not flinching at Chess’s throw, even though it almost hit him too.
He’s not even looking at me. But his lips move as Red dusts herself off next to him, her face scarlet.
Trust me.
Something tight and hot in my chest eases at those silent words.
My voice ripples out amongst the others. “Do it. Do what she says.”
