I feel Mira tense beside me. She reaches for my hand, squeezing it so tightly it hurts.
“The contracts you signed are ironclad,” Vivienne states. “You agreed to surrender your autonomy for the duration. That’s what makes the Hunt so... exhilarating for all parties involved.”
My stomach twists as, despite knowing all this already, the full weight of what I’ve done crashes over me. This is complete surrender to unknown men with unknown intentions.
“If any of you wish to withdraw,” Vivienne continues, “now is your final opportunity. Once you cross the threshold into the hunting grounds, you belong to the Hunt until it concludes.”
No one moves. Pride or shock, I’m not sure which keeps us all frozen in place. Maybe both.
“I didn’t realize...” I whisper to Mira, whose face has gone pale.
“I tried to tell you,” she whispers back. “This is why I was concerned.”
“Well then,” Vivienne clasps her hands together with finality. “Since you’re all staying, let’s proceed. Remember, ladies—you signed away your rights. Whatever happens out there is precisely what you agreed to.”
“One final instruction,” Vivienne says, smoothing her crimson blazer. “In precisely five minutes, that wooden door will open.” She gestures to a massive door at the far end of the room I hadn’t noticed before. “It leads directly into the maze. I suggest you use these final moments to prepare yourselves mentally.”
My heart hammers against my ribs as I glance at Mira, whose face has drained of all color.
“The Hunt spans all three levels of this building,” Vivienne continues. “The warehouse was converted to house Purgatory on the main floor, but the upper and lower levels have been designed specifically for events like this. Corridors, rooms, hidden passages—it’s quite elaborate.”
I swallow hard, trying to imagine the maze of hallways and chambers stretching above and below us. The building itself is massive—an old industrial warehouse repurposed into the most exclusive venue in Ravenwood. From the outside, it looks abandoned in parts, which I now realize is intentional camouflage.
“Each level offers different... opportunities,” Vivienne’s lips curl into that same cold smile. “Different terrains, different challenges. I suggest you use them wisely.”
With that, she turns and exits through the doors she entered, the click of her heels fading as the double doors swing shut behind her.
The silence that follows feels suffocating.
“Jesus Christ,” Sadie mutters, running her hands through her dark hair. “What have we gotten ourselves into?”
Bianca stands, pacing nervously. “Three levels. That’s a lot of ground to cover.”
Keira remains seated, her eyes closed as if mentally preparing herself, the silver charm on her anklet catching the light as her foot taps rhythmically.
Only Lia seems unfazed, applying a fresh coat of lipstick with steady hands. She catches my stare and smiles slightly. “They designed this to intimidate us,” she says coolly. “That’s part of the game.”
“This isn’t a game,” Mira snaps, her voice tight with tension. “This is?—”
“Why did I agree to this?” I ask, panic taking over as I clutch my pendant.
“Thirty seconds,” a voice announces over the speakers.
The six of us form a line before the massive wooden door. Nobody speaks now. I can hear each woman’s breathing—some fast and shallow, others deliberately controlled.
“Ten seconds.”
Mira is vibrating with nervous energy as she turns to Lia. “Aren’t you scared?” she whispers.
The mechanical sound of locks disengaging echoes through the chamber, interrupting any possible response.
“The Hunt begins now,” announces the voice over the speaker. “Run.”
“Scared?” Lia’s laugh is genuine as she tosses her hair back. “Of course not. I can’t wait to have fun.”
My brow furrows as who the hell could be that confident about stepping into something so fucked up? Of course, she moves forward first and enters the maze without a moment of hesitation.
“Ladies, our time is ticking,” she says, disappearing into the darkness. “Half an hour isn’t much of a head start.”
