Page 26 of Failed State

SYDNEY

The more wetour this facility, the angrier I get. Our dear dictator spared no expense in creating this incredibly film-able, state-of-the-art place within a sector that’s hurting—and we’re not even the worst one nor is this the only facility like it. I shudder to think of what kind of bullshit playground was built in wealthier sectors like El Dorado 1. All that doughcouldhave gone to improving the lives of supes everywhere, but instead it went to creating this perfect facade for the world to watch. It makes me wonder what kind of ulterior motive Taterman has for these Games—other than being an asshole species racist—and how this is going to fuel that fire.

Money isn’t the ultimate goal here; there’s something bigger at play.

I suppose it’s possible some idiot let him watch a copy ofThe Hunger Gamesand he figured spending money to make money was a good option. Forcing a vast amount of young supes to kill one another in these trials would lower the population and therefore, the cost of maintaining the sectors. I just don’t think it’s on a large enough scale to be the only factor. There’s a hidden benefit in this charade and I’m going to find it and expose it. TheFSHA needs to be taken down and the global stage is the best place to do it—not that I have a clue how at this point.

“Rein it in, Vicious. You look ready to gut the next person who speaks to you,” the mage whispers as he sidles up to me. “Can’t have the shiny happy people thinking you’re contemplating their deaths.”

I snort. “Yeah, because they’d be totally mistaken in that assumption.”

He grins conspiratorially as he winks at me and bumps my shoulder with his. “Exactly. No one could accuse you of dark, dirty thoughts, huh?”

My eyes run over his tanned skin and perfect, blindingly white teeth as he bobs his brows. “The only dirty thoughts I’m having are to do with corruption and painful deaths, spell caster. Back off.”

His laugh is rumbling and I can almostfeelit as that smile stretches into something much more predatory. He moves closer, looking over my shoulder at me with a wicked smirk. “So tragic, the way you lie to yourself, my little killer. One wouldalmostbelieve you if they were incredibly naive and gullible.”

My head rears back, catching him in his irritatingly straight nose, and he grunts as he clutches it. Blood drips from it as he cups his palm in front of his face and the tour grinds to a halt. All eyes land on us and my face heats, wondering if I’ve just earned myself a punishment worse than participating in this farce. But Rory simply pulls a cloth from his pocket, looking rueful as he pinches his injury.

“Whoops. A little advice for you all now that I’ve learned my lesson… Sydney has an excellent startle response and no one should creep up on her unless they want to bleed.”

Damn, he just gave me a public legend; people will be worried about what else I can do, not my magic.

Huck is in Rory’s face within seconds, his expression hard. “Don’t touch people you barely know, Stormbringer. You deserve a good smack for your rude behavior.”

I catch Thad moving toward us and shake my head, putting my hand out to stop the scene from getting more salacious. “It’s okay, guys. The dipshit just learned a hard lesson about consent. That’s what happens when you sneak up on a woman when she’s distracted by such opulent surroundings.”

Thad frowns, but I know he caught the pleading look in my eyes when I looked at him. Our relationship is close enough that he can read me, and I want this spectacle to end before anyone hands out punishments for interrupting their gushing. “The same goes for you, too, Dante and you, Whitmore. Sydney Jolie will kick your ass if you try shit with her.”

Whew. Good on him for being so damn intuitive.

“As long as Mr. Stormbringer is okay, we should move along,” one of the Krista-like drones says from the front of the pack. “We need to show you all to your team suites.”

My jaw drops when I realize she’s just admitted that they’re housing the teams in shared living space. The blood in my veins freezes and Huck has to grab my hand to tug me along as the group walks away from the scene of my bloody mistake. His palm is cool in mine, but I don’t mind because the rise in blood pressure is making me hot. Once everyone is thoroughly distracted by the cheery moppets leading the tour, he squeezes my hand.

“Sweet pea, you gotta breathe. I know this makes you madder than a wet hen, and you’re not wrong about it, but it’s just another thing we have to endure.” I scoff softly and he chuckles. “You’re a stubborn one, Sydney Jolie, but you’re not stupid. You know we’re not in a position to do a damned thing about this…now. But the time will come, and when it does, I’m with you one hundred percent.”

Damn, that good old country boy thing is soothing sometimes.

“Huck, they pen us up like animals for years and now they’re gathering the next gen of possible leaders to cull them through a competitive reality competition. I’m not sure it willeverbe the time. This isn’t a YA novel, and reality is far from the glamorous portrayal movies show. People are going to die horrifically in front of us—again.”

He shakes his head, swinging our arms like we’re having a normal, everyday conversation. “That’s true, sweet pea, but we’ve seen plenty of supes die since The Unveiling. My count is likely higher than yours, but that’s because my first sector was a lot darker than this one and I’m a demon. Are you going to be able to handle it?”

It’s a good question, but I don’t think he’s prepared for my answer.

Licking my lips, I take a deep breath before I reply. “There are a few things you don’t know about the time between my father’s death and being rounded up to come here. I just… I can’t tell youhere.”

He follows my gaze to the ceiling then to the crowd of supes and humans around us. “I see. Well, I enjoy a good edging from time to time, sweet pea, so you’re in luck. I’ll take a raincheck on that little tale…ifyou promise to have dinner with me.”

I frown at him, tilting my head. “Huck, we’re all going to have dinner. It’s not like we can avoid it.”

“For fuck’s sake, you’re awkward, woman. He’s asking you out, and how the fuck you’ve been blond about those two even this long is a real mystery.”

My gaze whips to the glowering vampire as he strides past us with a disgusted expression. “Well, fuck you, too, Sebastian Whitmore.” His shoulders tense as he continues on, and I know he’s heard me—which was exactly the point. I turn back to thedemon still gripping my palm, frowning. “I don’t date, Huck. You know that.”

“I do, but since you’ve teased me mercilessly with your hidden pastandI helped save you from the mage, I thought you might make a wee exception.” He bats his lashes and my breath catches in my throat. “Please, little lady?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake…. What is happening to me right now?

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