Page 4 of Insanium
I practically sprinted toward the doors, my boots tapping a determined beat on the marble floor. Every part of me buzzed with curiosity and a raw, eager edge, ready to size up the other contestants ofJudicium.
Friends, foes, or thrillingly ambiguous allies?
I slowed and inhaled deeply, flung open the frosted doors, and strutted in. The hall that unfolded before me was even more magnificent than the one I’d just left behind, with chandeliers dangling from a lavishly paneled ceiling and arched doorways that promised mysteries beyond. The light danced on the polished floor, casting a spell over the entire room. The space fell eerily silent as I entered, like the pause before a storm. I savored the dramatic quiet, stepping in as if I owned the place.
Unfortunately, my glee couldn’t last long.
My gaze snagged on a familiar sight—Aisha. And right next to her, Hael Sinclair.
Why the hell were they here?
Chapter Four
My grin stayed firmly in place as I swept a charismatic glance across the room, my presence slicing through the thick tension like a hot knife through butter.
“Did I crash the party, or is this just y’all’s way of making a girl feel special?” I joked, my tone playfully accusatory with a hint of mock dismay. As I strolled farther in, my eyes flickered quickly from face to face, capturing each reaction to my entrance without lingering too long on anyone. This wasn’t just a greeting; it was a strategic appraisal of the room’s occupants, expressions and body language filed away for later analysis. Unlike myself, thanks to fleshlight Kyle, these lovely folks all knew I’d be here tonight. I didn’t know jack shit about who I would be encountering. I recognized a few people, though.
My eyes landed momentarily on Raphael Aldrich.
His blond hair was styled in a tousled manner that enhanced his carefree, youthful appearance. With sharp, chiseled features, bright, clear eyes, and a charming smile, he was the archetypical golden boy.
And one of the prettiest things I’d ever seen.
He stood with an easy grace that only the truly privileged seemed to possess, a light grin playing on his supple lips as he conversed quietly with a small group that hung on to his every word as if he were a god. We had only ever exchanged pleasantries at a few functions hosted by the Infernal Syndicate, nothing more than formal nods and the occasional, guarded “hello.” Yet, I knew exactly who he was—knew of his family and their not-so-quiet ambitions. The Aldrichs, with their polished veneer and cutthroat undercurrents. Our eyes met with a fleeting acknowledgment, mutual recognition in the form of an easy, full-fledged smile on his end.
Juno Kazama was here, too.
She eyed me with an intensity that bordered on uncomfortable. Clearly, her obsession with my brother wasn’t waning. Her flawless porcelain skin and strikingly detailed makeup that accentuated her large, expressive eyes and full lips always managed to make an impression. Today was no exception. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face and highlighting the subtle strength in her delicate features.
Oh, and was that Kristy Monteiro, managing to be a blot on the otherwise intriguing landscape? Just the thought of her kicked up a storm of distaste in me. Our eyes met, and I flashed her a smile so cloyingly sweet it could induce cavities, all while cloaking my true feelings as I drifted toward my friends.
I approached Aisha and Hael, my emotions a tangled mess of relief at seeing familiar faces and irritation that they were present at all. Hael, who was supposed to be safe and decidedly not here, stood looking as if he belonged in this damned game. And Aisha … her sister was the one meant to face this, not her. My smile didn’t falter, though; it was the perfect facade.
“Well, this is a surprise,” I greeted them, my voice carrying a cheery note that belied the weight behind it. “Didn’t expect to see you two fine individuals here.”
Aisha leaned in, her eyes holding mine as she spoke quietly.
“My sister suggested I take her place at the last minute, and since I knew you’d be here … well, what kind of friend would I be if I let you do this without me?” Her light tone carried a thrill of excitement, as if this were just another impromptu adventure on a Friday night. Classic Aisha. Her mentioning that part of her decision was knowing I’d be here warmed me, but it also underscored a clear message. Aisha wasn’t just here to make up the numbers.
She was here to compete.
And compete she would right alongside yours truly. She was a true soul sister in spirit and mischief.
Turning to Hael, I scrutinized him a bit more critically. We’d been thick as thieves for ages, his presence in my life as constant as the northern star. I noticed a few girls I wasn’t too familiar with discreetly doing the same for different reasons and nearly rolled my eyes. I didn’t blame them one bit. Hael had this look about him that was damn near impossible to ignore, sharp features set in a perennially thoughtful expression, enhanced by a mop of dark, wavy hair that seemed perpetually windswept, lending him a certain wild, untamed allure. His eyes, a deep, observant brown, always seemed to be assessing the world, calculating.
Despite his serious demeanor, there was an underlying playfulness to him, evident in the quick smirks that occasionally danced across his lips. We’d always beenjustfriends, though I’d be lying if I said my imagination hadn’t wandered—vividly.Unfortunately, his beauty made it no less disconcerting to see him here, especially after I’d explicitly told him it wasn’t a good idea.
“And you, Mr. Sinclair? Why decide to jump into this fire?”
“Well, Mrs. Sinclair-Vetis,” he replied, going with our running joke that I would have to hyphenate my last name when I took his. A sly smile broadened into that familiar half-grin that somehow made him look both more serious and more mischievous at the same time. “The opportunity just seemed too good to miss. Besides,” he continued, a spark of playful conspiracy in his gaze, “I thought you’d appreciate having someone around who can actually keep pace with you.”
His reply was quintessentially Hael. Charming and a bit audacious, with a layer of genuine concern masked beneath his lighthearted demeanor. Despite my initial reservations about his participation, his words offered a subtle reminder of hisunwavering loyalty and quiet ambition to be more than just a bystander in our shared adventures. I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a mock-serious tone. “Well, we’ll just have to see if you can live up to those words or if you’ll end up as a pretty distraction,” I teased. “Either way,” I continued, stepping back with a relaxed shrug, “it’s reassuring to know I’ve got you watching my back. Just try not to get in my way, okay?” My smile softened, a rare glimpse of vulnerability I allowed only for those I truly cared about.
He leaned in just as close, his lips nearly touching mine. “I can do both. I think I might like being a distraction.”
I half snorted and lightly shoved his chest. My mind was already darting ahead to the trials that awaited. Hael and Aisha’s unexpected arrival might have been against my advice, but their presence could prove an advantageous twist. “Hey, how did you guys figure out where to go after coming inside?”
Aisha gave a casual shrug. “I guessed.”
