Page 66 of Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

“Did you really call us here to pass out a few letters?” Aldair asked, derision heavy in his tone.

Dmitri raised his brow. “As I said, the letters contain the specific details. These details are to be keptprivate. If, at any time, you share the task that has been set out for you, you will be disqualified. This is an individual challenge, meaning if anyone other than you completes the task, you will be disqualified.”

Shadow frowned at Dmitri’s phrasing. It almost sounded like he was hinting at a means of sabotage.

“If you do not show up tomorrow in the appropriate attire, you will be disqualified.”

“Excuse me, but what do you consider ‘appropriate attire’?” Marin asked.

Dmitri released a sigh, looking for all the world like he wished he could be anywhere else. “The details are in your letter. Part of your assignment is procuring the required items. If you fail to do so—”

“We will be disqualified,” Aldair interrupted. “Yes, we get it. Now, are you actually going to tell us anything useful, or can we get on with our evening? I had this lovely filly in my sights, and I would rather enjoy getting back to her.”

A few chuckles rang out at his words. Ever since Bannock’s departure from the contest, Cedric had taken his place as the resident heckler. Shadow caught Dichen’s gaze, and the other woman rolled her eyes as if to say,‘Can you believe this asshole?’

Her lips twitched as she nodded her agreement.

Unaware of the silent conversation taking place around him, Cedric continued, “Besides, since I could very well die tomorrow, I much rather spend my night buried between a pair of willing thighs. Go out with a bang, if you know what I mean.”

He held up his hand for a high five that no one returned, though Loren did smile in agreement.

Dmitri ignored him and reiterated the pertinent terms of tomorrow’s trial. “Dress as is outlined in your letter, be at the palace by sundown, complete your task without anyone becoming the wiser before the sun rises, and you will move on to the final round. Any questions? No? Perfect. Come collect your letters.”

Shadow’s frown deepened. This trial was sounding stranger by the second. Less like a physical test and more like one of the assignments Erebos sent her on. That made sense since he was ultimately searching for her replacement. Following that train of thought, she started to piece together a vague idea of what they might be doing.

If she hadn’t already known Erebos was throwing a masquerade tomorrow night, she’d wonder what in the darkness he was up to giving them specific outfits to wear. But if thiswaslike one of her missions, they would need to blend in and not draw any attention to themselves.

At a masquerade that meant masks and costumes, which would also serve a second, less obvious purpose. Whatever creature or color they’d been assigned would allow the High Lord and his flock to easily pick them out without their identities being discovered by the other attendees. It would be one of the only ways to keep an eye on them while they completed whatever task they’d been assigned.

She wondered if they’d be expected to kill someone or steal something. Neither was an issue, but if she was expected to take someone out, it did help to know when planning her outfit. Some weapons were easier to conceal than others.

Plucking up the midnight-colored envelope bearing her name, Shadow turned and made her way to the exit. As she tucked the envelope inside her shirt, a sudden thought struck her, filling her veins with ice.

What if Dmitri was lying when he said each task was unique? It would be just like Erebos to make them all believe they had a chance to move on, only to give two contestants the same set of instructions, meaning half would automatically be cut once their partner completed the task.

Sneaky. Underhanded. It had the High Lord’s name written all over it.

And given what had been going on between them, Shadow had little doubt who she’d have to face off against.

As if he could hear the thought, Ronan’s eyes found hers.Wait for me,they seemed to demand.

It was tempting, especially with the way her body was still buzzing from earlier. She wanted him to make good on every one of his promises, but allowing thisthingbetween them to go any further would be the height of foolishness.

If there was any chance she might be competing directly against him tomorrow, she couldn’t allow her infatuation with him to sway her. Not when her freedom was on the line.

But there was another reason the thought of beating him before the last round was so appealing. If she could take him out now, she had to try. Because the final battle would surely result in his death. If there was a way to avoid that outcome, if there was a way for both of them to live, she had to go for it.

And the only way she could do that was to stay as far away as possible. Somehow, she needed to rediscover the icy indifference which had once come so easily. And if she couldn’t find it, at least a little distance would help her fight through this sexual haze his mere presence trapped her in.

So even though her body protested every step, Shadow walked away. Away from temptation. Away from the promise in those ice-blue eyes.

Away fromhim.

And she hated every fucking second of it.

CHAPTER20

RONAN

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