“Okay, you’re up next,” the Rabbid guard says in his deep, raspy voice to the man in front of me. The potential Familiar with short, spiky black hair and kind eyes, the one who hadbounced on his heels and performed CrossFit circuits for the last hour, turns and gives me a goofy smile. A twinge of guilt ties my stomach into knots. I don’t know him, yet I feel personally responsible for his survival. Hell, I don’t think I’ll survive, either. If I do and he doesn’t, I’ll probably be haunted by his face forever.
His grin turns into confusion as he tries to read my expression. Shit, I’m supposed to be acting obsessed like the rest of them. I plaster a smile on my face and feign excitement, but I’m not sure if he buys it.
“Good luck out there.” I sound robotic. I need to pull myself together. “Although, I don’t think you’ll need it. You seem pretty fit.”
Why can’t I stop talking? Now I’m coming across as overly eager. His confused expression slips into something darker.
“Which member are you competing for?” His voice is colder than ice as his eyes skate over my body. My heart rate increases ever so slightly, and I remember what Knox told me about my blood.
“Knox.” I keep my tone friendly.
As far as anyone else here is concerned, I’m just a stupid human, eager to get into Knox’s pants. Definitely not a vampire hunter/journalist hell-bent on revenge.
“Me, too.” He raises an eyebrow as his focus zeroes in on me.
“Oh.”
Come on Danni, think!
“Well, I’m sure they’ll all be taking a few Familiars! Plenty of space for the both of us.” I playfully slap his huge muscular arm as I laugh nervously.
“Garrett, you’re up,” the Rabbid rasps impatiently, saliva dribbling onto his clown outfit.
These creatures really are disgusting.
Garrett gives me one last look up and down before pushing his way through the curtain. Pure distress flows through me, but I let out a held breath when he leaves.
Now I’m at the front of the line. I can’t see what’s happening beyond the curtain, but I can hear the gasps and laughter of the crowds on the other side. It sure sounds like Garrett’s doing a good job at getting everyone’s blood pumped, which does me zero favors. He will clearly be a hard act to follow. And just because Knox is my fated mate doesn’t mean he won’t change his mind and decide he likes Garrett more than me.
My blood boils at the thought.
Fucking bond…
Am I seriously about to compete for his affections? It certainly looks that way.
But how am I supposed to put on a better show than Garrett? That guy is ripped and will no doubt breeze through whatever lies beyond.
I stand as still as humanly possible as I try to ignore the ragged breathing of the Rabbid next to me, focusing instead on how I can beat Garrett at winning the coveted spot of becoming Knox’s Familiar. Suddenly, the crowd lets out a gasp. The unmistakable sound of ripping flesh filters through the tiny crack of the curtain.
What the fuck is going on out there? I thought we’re jumping through fire hoops, not being eaten alive by lions.
“How unfortunate,” Knox’s spoiled drawl is unmistakable from behind the curtain. “Someone clean up this mess before it starts to reek with fear.”
The sounds of shuffling feet follow his command. Unmistakable fear pounds through my blood, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The Rabbid’s head snaps to face me, his tongue licking his lips.
I thought fear was poisonous to vampires. Then why the hell is he looking at me like he’s going to eat me?
Fuck. It must be different for Rabbids.
“Bring out the next potential!”
I don’t wait for the Rabbid to give me any instructions—if he was even capable of that at this point. At the sound of Celeste’s ear-splitting voice, I launch myself through the curtain and into the arena.
Nothing could have prepared me.
This isn’t training. This was some twisted, dystopian nightmare.
The tall podium raised dangerously close to the top of the tent in front of me marks the beginning of the assault course. My eyes skim up the ladder that never seems to end. This is the absolute worst time to have a fear of heights.
