Page 92 of The Claiming

He leans forward with a twisted grin. “Expand your operation, cultivate its membership and learn how to amass an army, Frankie. All of this will help sharpen skills you will need in your future. I applaud your ingenuity in this and admire your execution, but sometimes accepting help is the sign of a great leader. Only fools attempt something they are ill-equipped to follow through and you already know that.”

I nod, hating that he’s right and accept I have no other option. My uncle’s men will locate the unknown centurion by way of elimination, all while operating in the shadows. The predator will not escape, of that I’m convinced, and The Claiming will continue undetected, the threat of exposure having been removed. I know he’s right, but I don’t have to like it and as our food arrives, my uncle sits back in his seat and conducts the rest of our meeting just like any uncle visiting his nephew and taking him out to brunch.

FORTY-SIX

CASSIE

I am so excited. This has been the best week of my life and tonight I get to experience The Claiming from a different angle. As a centurion.

We are gathered in the dungeon before the challenge begins.

Siri is almost bristling with excitement beside me and whispers, “This is so fucked up. I can’t wait to disguise myself as a centurion and watch it happen to somebody else.

Both of us have been tasked with waiting in the tunnel chamber. We will be silently observing the contenders as they choose their tunnels and must be on the lookout for any centurion entering the tunnels. If we detect trouble, we are to hold up the relevant finger relating to the tunnel to the cameras installed in the chamber and it will alert the centurions who are patrolling the passageways beneath us. They will use the trap doors to intervene and my mind shifts to the moment we detected that every tunnel had one, courtesy of the map Frankie somehow got his hands on.

It made for interesting reading and we spent many nights poring over the detail.

It appears the unknown centurion dragged Abigail to the boathouse and assaulted her there, before dragging her back along the passageway toward Willow Tree house. The entrance to the house was through the basement and he obviously chose the time when the rest of the house was sleeping to deposit a drugged Abigail into her bed.

My attention shifts when Jack heads our way, with an armful of cloaks, followed by Ali, who is holding two golden masks.

“Fuck, this is really happening.” Siri’s voice shakes as Jack regards us both with a serious scowl.

“I don’t like it.”

“Back off, Jack.” Fury blazes from my eyes. “We’ve had this conversation and we’re every bit as capable as you are.”

He rolls his eyes. “I didn’t say that, Cassie. I just don’t like it. You are placing yourself in danger for a cheap thrill.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Siri almost snatches the robe from his arms and Jack sighs. “Fine, but I’ll be nearby if you require backup.”

“You always are.”

For some reason, the way he expresses his concern tugs on my heartstrings. It’s not just about this—it’s him. He has always been there for me from my earliest memory, and a wave of nostalgia almost makes me crumble.

“Hey.” His blue eyes twinkle with concern and I swallow hard.

“It’s good knowing you’re here.”

“Cassie–” He leans in and his whisper only reaches my ears and yet before he can finish his sentence, Frankie appears with Jesse, wearing his robe, the mask trailing in his fingers by his side.

His sharp gaze finds mine and his eyes blaze, causing my heart to beat faster. God, I adore this man. I must be seriously fucked up, because the angrier he looks, the more I desire him.

“We don’t have long.”

He sweeps the room with his dark gaze and says roughly, “Remember to be vigilant. At the first sign of trouble, sound the alarm and wait for security to deal with the problem.”

I’m aware he has security in place, but he won’t expand anymore on that. I have questioned who will patrol the passageways, but he cut me down with a dismissive, “Security.”

He won’t explain who the mysterious security is, despite my endless questions.

In fact, I have learned fast that you only know what Frankie allows, and it’s infuriating.

As we all stand waiting in the ceremonial chamber, he runs over the positions we’ve been allocated.

“Jesse, make your way to the riverbank, along with Jack.”

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