“Wait, why do we get more people?” Lake asks.
“Experience,” Sebastian murmurs. “Grady and I are good players”—how the hell does he know that?—“Zach is middling. Lake and Avery have never played a game of chess in their lives, but Quinn and Felix know what they’re doing.”
Avery’s mouth drops open. “How the fuck did you know that?”
That’s what I want to know.
“Lucky guess.”
“Bullshit.”
Sebastian raises a smarmy eyebrow and doesn’t elaborate. I bet the asshole can read minds. Or is too damn good at reading people. It’s why I hate being in a courtroom with him. He’s a walking nightmare in a suit.
He nudges my hip with his. “Looks like we’re partners, partner.”
“The universe has a sick sense of humour.”
“Zach has the lanyards,” Felix continues. “Close your eyes and pick one at random. What you get is final. No swapping, and I won’t negotiate. If you try to negotiate, the first round of drinks at the bar is on you. If you try to argue with me, the second round of drinks is on you. If you’re feeling really argumentative, you might end up paying for drinks the whole night.” He grins, and there’s a hint of madness to it. “I love free drinks.”
What the fuck have I agreed to be a part of? Is this a kind of sick psychology experiment? Because it feels a lot like one.
Lake’s hand shoots up eagerly.
“Yes, Lake?” Felix answers patiently.
“Do I have to pay for drinks?”
Felix pauses, deliberating. “No. You and Grady will have free drinks all night. If you argue with me, you’ll owe me a boon instead.”
Based on where we are, with chess pieces that are usually locked up tight during the night, I’d say a lot of people in Sydney owe him one.
“I’ll be good,” Lake promises. “Time to pick what pieces we are?”
Quinn gets a knight—there’s a funny irony to that, considering he likes to be a knight in shining armour way too much. Sebastian is a bishop—I laugh out loud. Lake is also a bishop. Zach gets the king piece—has to be rigged. Felix gets a rook—also scarily accurate. I get the queen—I’m not going there. Avery picks a pawn.
“What thefuck?” Avery sputters. “Why is this even an option? I want a different one.”
“Avery is buying the first round of drinks,” Felix says casually as he puts his own lanyard over his head.
“Why did you put apawnin the picks? How many are in there?”
“One of every piece for each team.” Felix tugs on a strand of Avery’s hair and trails his fingers down his throat. “Are you going to keep arguing with me? After the second round you buy…” He trails off and then leans in, whispering something in Avery’s ear.
Avery goes bright red and then tugs his lanyard on with jerky movements. “No.”
“I can only move one square too,” Zach offers, glancing curiously between them.
That’s a terrible consolation prize. Not sure what he was hoping to accomplish with that.
“In any direction you want, and the whole point of the game is to keep you safe!” Avery bursts out. “I’m meaningless fodder.”
“Pawns are important,” Felix says, kissing his temple. “Everyone, set up your board and get into position.”
The game is ruthless from the start, and I’m not understanding the “no biting” rule.
“Move off that square, Avery, and you forfeit the game,” Lake says, poking his tongue out at his younger brother.
Avery pokes his back. “That wasn’t in the rules!”
