Does he know a way out of here?
Damon’s deep chuckles reverberate low in his chest. “And give the game away this early? Not a chance! It’s only right that we have a bit of fun before everything is revealed.”
My jaw clenches. “If you’re here to torment me with more ridiculous riddles, then please just leave me alone. I have a training session to prepare for.” I dismiss him and turn back towards the red curtain.
My first mistake.
Damon dashes in front of me in a split second, his white teeth gleaming brightly. “I have a proposition for you. One I think you’ll like. But you have to play my game in order to get the answers.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah right, like you could possibly have anything that I want.”
I turn away again, but he grabs my wrist, brings it up to his face, and inhales deeply.
“Let go of me.” Panicking, I struggle to get my arm out of his grip.
“Say you’ll play my game and I’ll give you an answer now. If you don’t, I’ll tell everyone you broke the rules and tasted your master’s blood before the binding.”
A chill washes over my skin.
How does he know? Can he really smell it? Or is he smelling the bond?
Shit. I clamp my mouth shut.
“The answers you seek lie deep below our feet,” he says. “All you have to do is play my game and I’ll help you.”
“Why would I even want your help?” I hiss.
“Oh, trust me. If you knew what was coming, you’d want every ally you can muster.” His eyes dance and swirl with satisfaction. He knows he’s got me backed into a corner. His ominous words ripple in my mind.
Is there really something else coming? Or is this all one big joke to get me to interact with him?
“Fine. I’ll play,” I say through gritted teeth. “But what’s in it for you? And don’t tell me it’s because you’re bored.”
“My own motivations will be revealed soon enough. For now, I’ll answer one question. Be careful which one you ask.” He grins like the Cheshire cat.
I wrack my brain, trying to come up with a good one. But there’s so many.
“Why do you want to help me?”
Damon’s mischievous expression falls and his eyes grow distant. I guess he was thinking that I would ask if I was really the Chosen One or maybe why Egor wants me dead.
“Because I think you’re the key to it all.”
“The key to what?”
“Ah, ah, ah. You only get one. Good luck today. I’ll see you at the ceremony.” He leaves me with more questions than he answered.
Annoying prick.
The sound of voices travels through the backstage area. The training must be starting. Megan rounds the corner first, determination glinting within her brown eyes. Then the rest of the Familiars follow. I regret not getting to know them all better during our time here. I was so caught up in trying to save them, despite them not wanting to be saved.
“Please tell me you’re not wearing that,” Megan says as she approaches. I glance down at her outfit and then over at everyone else. They’re all wearing some sort of combat gear like they’re going to war.
What is this next training? The freaking “Hunger Games”?
“I didn’t get time to change,” I mutter as panic rises in my stomach.
“Well, you’re going to struggle wearing that.”
