Page 10 of Insanium
Janice, clearly on the verge of hysteria, shot back, “So we just let him die?”
What had she been expecting? “If you’re so upset, why don’t you jump in and save him? Otherwise, zip it and watch.”
She bristled, but Eryx, who had observed the situation with a calm detachment that I found incredibly attractive, cut in smoothly, “As Kinks pointed out, you’re welcome to join him if you’re so concerned.”
Kinks?Since when had we ventured into nickname territory? And why did I find myself liking how that sounded? Especially the way it effortlessly slipped from his lips ...
Tyler’s screams stopped abruptly.
He was either dead or had mercifully lost consciousness. I hoped for his sake it was the latter. The clown, ever the performer, sheathed his knife with theatrical flair and seized Tyler by the ankles, dragging him toward the exit. At the bottom of the stairs, it paused to bow, its grotesque mask turning towards us as if awaiting applause before resuming its task. Tyler’s body, now mutilated with long ribbons of flesh dragging along the ground, reminded me of a Thanksgiving turkey, carved up and ready to serve.
The room buzzed with a mix of sniffling and murmurs as the clown and Tyler vanished from sight. I couldn’t help but admire the clown’s dedication to its role—it was utterly captivating. Janelle’s cries echoed louder without the music to muffle them. I glanced at Aisha and smothered a laugh when I caught the major side-eye she was giving her.
It wasn’t as if I was a totally heartless villainess. I was sure there might have been a backstory I wasn’t privy to—maybe she and Tyler were closer than I’d realized.
However, that didn’t make much sense to me.
If that had been one of my people down there, I’d have stormed the floor, rules be damned. Her over-the-top display of despair seemed excessive, considering she wouldn’t get up out of her chair for him. Seriously, the melodrama was peaking, andJudiciumhad barely started. If there was any real sympathy to be doled out, it should have been for Tyler’s family, who might’ve just watched his final moments. I sure wouldn’t want my folks to see me go out so early on. How utterly embarrassing would that be? My brothers would never let me live it down.
I checked the screen. There were fifty minutes were left on the clock, three keys still out there, and one less competitor.
I leaned toward Raphael, unable to resist commenting. “Well, that sets the stage, doesn’t it? Drama aside, this is shaping up to be quite the spectacle.”
He gave me a look, a spark of humor in his stunning eyes. “Certainly seems that way,” he agreed smoothly. “And I doubt the remaining keys will come any easier.”
“I’m not worried about that. I think we’ll find them. Every single one,” I declared.
His smile deepened, acknowledging my determination. “With that kind of confidence, I certainly wouldn’t bet against us.”
The screen shifted again, our seats lighting up in green as if the Syndicate was telling us to back up our words with seven minutes now counting down.
Seven minutes we couldn’t afford to waste.
Raphael stood and offered me his hand. “Ready?”
My grin was all the answer he needed.
Chapter Six
I grabbed Raphael’s hand and pulled him down the aisle, my energy spiking with excitement.
“Catch you later,” I shouted cheerily to the others, not bothering to look back as we darted around the corner.
“Where are we off to?” Raphael asked.
I flashed him a grin as we zipped through the dim hallway. “I love how you just came along without a peep. You’re such a good boy,” I teased with a playful wink.
His eyebrows arched, and he laughed, a sound that made the shadows around us feel a little less somber. “That makes me sound like a puppy.”
“I wouldn’t mind that.” I squeezed his hand tighter and gave our intertwined fingers a playful swing. He didn’t seem to mind at all that I’d monopolized one of his arms. “I thought we should head to the arcade.”
“For the virtual thrills, right?”
“You caught on quick. Look at you, handsomeandbrainy.”
He chuckled, a hint of a blush coloring his cheeks.
As we passed the adorable little girl with the doll again, I couldn’t help but give her a cheeky wave. “She’s the kind of mischievous kid I’d probably have.”
