“I think so too. Maybe we should leave tomorrow morning if I can’t get us those jetpacks.”
He sounds worried, and I trust his instincts. “You’re the boss.”
“You’re the captain of this mission.”
“I’m but a simple tool for you to use. And speaking of that…”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking that after this ball is over, we can do what we did the other day.”
“Hmm, you'll need to be more specific.”
I whisper in his ear, “When you fucked me until I came. When you made me moan and grunt while you spanked—”
“Okay, shh. Yes, I want to. Tonight.”
When the song ends, Finn straightens. “Thank you. I’d better go mingle some more.”
“Have fun.”
I return to Trey, debating whether to make myself another plate of food.
Caden.
I turn toward the entrance at the sound of my name. Two guards stand there, but neither of them is looking at me, so I doubt it was them who called. But Ididhear my name, or did I?
“I’m going out for some air.”
Trey scans my face. “You look a bit pale.”
“I’m fine.”
Caden.
I turn sharply to the entrance again, seeing nothing but the two guards who are now talking with each other, too far for me to hear their words. Someone is clearly messing with me.
Trey pats my back. “Let’s go outside.”
We step into the long hallway, leaving the crowd and music behind. We don’t get far before I hear Josh calling for me. He catches up to us and asks, “Where are you guys going?”
“I need some air.”
He looks at me closely, and I don’t bother telling him not to worry because I can already hear my name being whispered again.
“I’ll join you,” Josh says.
We keep walking, passing through the room with all the animals. I hear my name again, louder this time. “What the fuck do you want?” I shout.
Trey reaches for his rifle. “Who are you talking to?”
I rub my face, telling myself to get my shit together. “No one.”
We exit the palace and reach the long road with the apple trees. The streetlights make the branches seem like claws. I stop by a large rock and rest my foot on it.
“What did you hear?” Josh asks me.
“My name. I heard it in my head. The voice sounded familiar.” I let out a long breath. “I think it was Hector.”
