Page 82 of Honour Bound
He gazed at me then gave me an easy grin and a sloppy salute. ‘As you command.’ He took off and jogged to the finishing line. As soon as he passed it, there was an explosion of fireworks that lit up the night sky with multi-coloured flowers and sparkles. I waited for as long as I dared. I really did think he deserved first place.
When I finally heard footsteps pounding behind me, I ran after Angus. Byron was hot on my heels and Tipsania came right after him. Both of them were soaking wet. I couldn’t help noticing how Byron’s clothes clung to his body so that every muscle and bulge was clearly delineated. When I caught his look and glanced down, I realised I was in the same state.
Campbell Carnegie appeared from nowhere. ‘Angus MacQuarrie wins the Adventure challenge!’ He grabbed Angus’s hand and held it aloft.
‘You let him win,’ Byron said in my ear. ‘Why?’
‘It was the right thing to do,’ I murmured.
‘You bitch! You did that deliberately so I would come fourth!’ Tipsania shrieked.
I flicked her a puzzled look. ‘Eh?’
‘That’s not even a word! You have the manners of an oik!’
Thoroughly confused, I looked at Byron. ‘I managed to get past the giant on my side easily enough because Angus had already used up most of its energy. You didn’t fight your giant so…’
Oh. ‘So Tipsania had to do it.’
‘You’re goddamn right I did!’ she yelled.
I glanced past her. The giant was flat on his back, although his chest was still rising and falling. Streams of competitors were racing past him to reach the finishing line and get a decent placing. I shrugged. ‘Is he okay?’
‘Who cares?’ Tipsania flounced.
The Carnegie MC, obviously upset that the attention wasn’t on him, cleared his throat. ‘In second place, we have Byron Moncrieffe.’
Our heads snapped towards him. Byron frowned. ‘Integrity Adair was second,’ he said evenly.
‘Unfortunately,’ Carnegie purred with an evil smirk, ‘Integrity Adair has had marks deducted for dishonourable behaviour.’
‘What? What did I do?’
Carnegie’s thin nose twitched. He was really enjoying this. ‘You brought a genie with you. This is meant to be a solo event.’
Anger spurted up through me. I should have known.
‘That’s not fair,’ Byron said, aware that I was about to say something that I would regret.
Carnegie inclined his head deferentially. ‘The decision has been taken.’
Tipsania crossed her arms. ‘I think it’s fair. These Games are based on honour, after all.’
Angus looked at me helplessly as I cursed under my breath. ‘The genie didn’t help me win,’ I said. ‘And besides, at the beginning of the Hunt I was left in the wrong place. I wasn’t dropped at the start line like everyone else.’
‘Rubbish,’ Carnegie blustered. My veins buzzed as the lie tripped out of his mouth. So, the slimy master of ceremonies was in on the plot.
‘It’s true,’ I said calmly. Byron’s interruption had given me the breathing space I required. They wanted me to get worked up; acting sensibly and appearing unperturbed was the only way I had a chance.
Cheers sounded from behind as, one by one, the other competitors crossed the line. I didn’t look at them; my attention was wholly on Carnegie.
‘Not only that,’ I added, ‘but I made what I was bringing very clear. I didn’t try to hide it.You can check the footage from the waiting room. I was asked whether I wanted to bring a bottle of water or this.’ I pulled out the letter opener and shrugged. ‘I chose this.’
Carnegie’s eyes narrowed. I might not have been open about the fact that Bob lived inside the blade but I hadn’t concealed what I was taking into the challenge.That had to count for something.
‘There you have it,’ Byron said, sounding bored. ‘Integrity comes second.’
‘Byron!’ Tipsania complained. He didn’t look at her.
