Page 72 of Haunted

There’s no jealousy between them, no competition—only shared possession of the woman writhing between them.

I should look away. Should back out of this chamber before they notice me. But I’m frozen in place, watching as Keira surrenders completely to their dominance. This isn’t like what I witnessed earlier with the forcedencounters. She’s a willing participant, lost in bliss as they worship her.

My foot shifts backward, seeking escape, and a loose stone skitters across the floor.

The twin at Keira’s head turns immediately, his hazel eyes locking onto mine with laser focus. A slow smile spreads across his face as he takes in my disheveled appearance—Xavier’s shirt hanging off one shoulder, my hair wild from running through the maze.

“Well, well,” he says, never breaking eye contact. “Looks like we have an audience, brother.”

The other twin glances over his shoulder, his expression equally hungry. “Xavier’s prey. How convenient.”

Keira’s eyes flutter open, hazy with pleasure, as she looks between the twins and me. A flush spreads across her chest, but she doesn’t seem embarrassed—only curious.

“Don’t be shy,” the first twin continues. “Why don’t you join us? There’s plenty of room.”

Before I can even form a response, a deep horn echoes through the maze—long, resonant, and unmistakably summoning. The sound reverberates off the stone walls, seeming to come from everywhere at once.

The twins freeze instantly, their focus on me forgotten. The one between Keira’s thighs pulls back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand while his brother withdraws from her lips with a soft pop.

“It’s time,” the first twin says, his voice suddenly all business.

One reaches for a bundle of yellow silk that had beendraped over a nearby chair while the other helps Keira sit up on the platform. Her legs shake as she tries to support her weight, still trembling from the pleasure they’d given her.

“Easy,” the twin murmurs, his voice gentle now. “We’ve got you.”

They begin wrapping the fabric around her ritualistically—not to cover her, but to present her. The silk binds her breasts, lifting and displaying them. More fabric winds around her waist, between her thighs, creating an intricate pattern that’s both beautiful and possessive.

“What’s happening?” I whisper, though I’m not sure they’ll answer.

“The gathering,” Keira says breathlessly, her eyes meeting mine. “All prey must be presented.”

One twin secures a final knot at her hip while the other produces an ornate silver collar from somewhere I can’t see. The metal gleams with symbols I don’t recognize.

“This marks you as ours,” the twin with darker hair explains as he fastens the collar around her throat.

Keira’s fingers trace the metal reverently. “I understand.”

The other twin turns to me, his hazel eyes calculating. “You should return to your hunter before he comes looking. Xavier won’t appreciate finding his prize wandering alone.”

The horn sounds again, more insistent this time. Both twins straighten, their attention shifting beyond this chamber.

“Can you walk?” one asks Keira.

She nods, testing her balance as she slides off the platform. The bindings shift with her movement, the fabric designed to enhance rather than restrict.

“Then it’s time to go.”

The twin with the darker hair notices my confusion and lets out a low chuckle that raises goosebumps along my arms.

“Poor girl doesn’t understand what’s happening, does she?” His voice drips with mock concern as he helps Keira to her feet. “Let me enlighten you, sweetheart.”

He steps closer, his hazel eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “That horn? It’s calling everyone to the central chamber. Hunters and prey alike. The maze games are over—now comes the real entertainment.”

My stomach drops. “What do you mean?”

“The orgy room,” he says simply as if discussing the weather. “Where all the prey are properly displayed for the entire gathering. Where the hunters can share their prizes, trade them, and enjoy the spoils of their hunt together.”

Keira shivers, though whether from fear or anticipation, I can’t tell.

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