Page 31 of Flame and Fury

I turn and watch him and Jade limp down the walkway. They’re both beaten and bloody. Greer snickers from her seat and Preston snarls at her. I wonder what the hell happened to them. Actually, I don’t care.

For now, the Boar is safe. We’ve created an alliance with him, and we’re one step closer to telling my father to go fuck himself.

CHAPTER18

WREN

“In all my years hosting these games, we’ve never seen a challenge that has gone unfulfilled.” Thaddeus smiles ruefully at the camera. “I wonder what will happen next?”

As soon as the cameras click off the grin falls off Thaddeus’s face. “What kind of bullshit is this?”

Once all the champions return to the theater, unsuccessful in apprehending the Boar, Thaddeus throws a fit but then puts on his commentator face for the cameras. Rupert, the bespectacled assistant, scampers on stage and hands Thaddeus a fizzy water in a can with a straw in it. He takes Thaddeus’s skinny microphone from him and holds out a bag of snacks. Thaddeus disappears off stage, and his assistant scrambles after him, like he’s chasing a temperamental toddler.

Billy and Nathaniel remain on stage. Billy’s arms are crossed, disappointment bordering on disgust written all over his face. Nathaniel’s gaze isn’t quite as understanding. Dressed in one of his sharp suits, Nathaniel flicks a piece of imaginary lint off his shoulder and buttons his jacket with calculated slowness. He straightens out his cuffs only to put his hands in his pants pocket.

“This is unprecedented.” Nathaniel stares out at the champions. We’re gathered in the house of the theater in various states of disarray. You’d think my clothes would be stretched out from wearing them all day yesterday, but I’m pretty sure all the water shrunk them instead.

Nathaniel glares down at us from the stage. His voice is steely, icicles hang from his words. He licks his too full lips, and then pats his hair, making sure it hasn’t gone rogue from his contained poof.

“I have never, in all my years being involved in these games, been so disgusted by a group of champions.”

Billy nods along with Nathaniel’s words, just in case we weren’t aware that he felt the same way.

Nathaniel raises a hand to his chin and taps his index finger against his lips. “I think this requires some atonement.” Some of the anger seeps away from Nathaniel’s face only to be replaced with a sickening smirk.

My shoulders itch, my wings longing to be set free. Everything about Nathaniel Rogers is wrong. My Fury screams at me that this man has committed far too many crimes against humanity and deserves to burn for his actions. Being in his presence is getting harder and harder. I want him to pay for the pain he’s inflicted on others. For the carelessness and lack of compassion he has for anyone not a god. Nathaniel Rogers, and the clerics who serve under him are nothing but power-hungry bastards. They get off on demeaning others. Using those they’ve pushed down to prop themselves up. Standing on the backs of the hardworking and then belittling them.

“Yes.” Nathaniel slowly nods to himself. “I know exactly how you can make it up to the gods.”

Nathaniel crooks a finger at Billy who hurries to his side. Using his hand to shield his mouth, Nathaniel speaks so quietly none of us can hear. A devious grin slinks up Billy’s face as his gaze drifts over all of us. With a nod he rushes off stage. Nathaniel follows him at a more sedate pace. “Enjoy,” is all he says before he disappears from sight.

“Does anyone else want to tie him up and shave off all his hair?” Drake glowers at the stage. His stylist and Estella must have coordinated because he’s wearing an outlandish high collared faux fur coat that hits right above his ankles.

“I don’t think it’s his hair I’d be cutting off,” Greer sneers.

Billy’s back on stage before anyone offers up a response. Probably for the best. The guard that always transports us is at his side and both have malicious grins on their faces.

“Gather round. Stop wasting time,” Billy snaps when we don’t run toward the stage.

We all know the drill. We have to be touching for the guard to sift us from one location to another. Atlas’s hand lands on the back of my neck.

Why do I like that? It should make me feel collared, but my body relaxes instead. Stupid body. I don’t care if Atlas made me come so hard I saw stars this morning. I still don’t trust him. I grab hold of Greer’s arm and the tugging feeling that makes me want to puke tells me we’re moving.

The blast of heat that hits me steals my breath away. It’s a shock to the system after being in the frigid landscape of Vegas. The guard immediately disappears, leaving me and the other seven champions behind.

I spin in a slow circle, getting my bearings. We’ve been left in a green field surrounded by woods. It’s idyllic, with lush grass, scattered fruit trees, and a tinkling stream that meanders through the clearing. If fairies were real, I’d think we’d been dropped in one of their gardens. Flowers bloom in patches of artful chaos. Furniture has been arranged as though we’re in someone’s living room. There are couches and even a bed, which I will be avoiding at all costs.

What the hell is this place?

A long table is piled with so much food it’s hard to see everything. Enough chairs surround the spread for each of us. Do they want us to sit down and eat together? I don’t get it. Nathaniel mentioned a punishment, but honestly this looks more like a reward. Except for the heat. The air is so thick with humidity that it presses on my chest, making it hard to inhale a deep breath. Sweat immediately starts to pool, dripping down my temples and my back. I rip off my jacket and toss it over a nearby chair, quickly followed by the zip up hoodie.

“Gods, it’s hot enough to melt your face off.” Nico swipes a hand over his damp face, pulling off his thick coat and tossing it next to mine.

The low buzz of drones reaches me, and I tip my head back in frustration. I’m so sick of the damn things.

The rest of the champions quickly shed their own coats. Preston pulls his shirt off along with his parka. I squint up at the sun overhead. He might not want to do that. His pale ass is going to fry if we’re out here for any length of time.

Greer wanders over to my side, pushing up her long-sleeved shirt before settling her hands on her hips. She eyes the table with suspicion. “What is this?”

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