Page 6 of Red Lace Manor
“Have there ever been any winners?” My question came from a point of caution. I didn’t think of myself as one to do the impossible.
“A few. They all take the money and leave, their lives get better, and they forget the world that lives within these walls.” Reaper tapped his fingers on the edge of his wine glass.
“You’re all insane.” I started to play with the belt on my robe, hoping to hide my nerves.
“Not the first time we’ve heard that!” The clown cackled, smacking the table as he did.
I flinched at the sound.
“If it helps, we won’t try to kill you at first, and some of us won’t attempt to kill you atall.” Reaper reached forward, brushing my hair back behind my ear.
“What happens then?” Heat rushed to my cheeks, following the tingling his leather touch implanted on my skin.
“We fuck you like theanimalswe are,” Bone man rasped.
Something in his feral honesty caused something dark to curl low in my belly. My thighs clenched at the idea, and I made a mental note to find a therapist. Obviously, I needed one, and once this night was over, I’d be able to afford it.
“Fine. I’ll play.”
Chapter 2
Lux
Outside the manor wassomehowworse than being trapped within its walls. The crows above cawed as the men led me through a seemingly endless sea of evergreen trees, two in front of me, two in the back. While they’re all granted theluxuryof shoes, I’m left barefoot. Fresh mud squelches between my toes and I shiver as the five of us come upon a dilapidated courtyard. The cobblestone ground is rough and cracked, thorns and vines poke through the gaps in the stone and I bite to my lip to suppress a pained noise as I step on something sharp.
“Be careful, Little Light, a trail of blood will make it easier to find you,” Bone man snarled behind me.
My head snapped back, and I shot him a glare. I knew he was tall, but hetoweredover me, casting a shadow in my direction as what remained of the sunshine rapidly waned. His nostrils flared, but I couldn’t see his face.
So, to push my luck, I stuck my tongue out at him. Their goal was to kill me, which meant I wasn’t here to make friends.
Survive until morning.
Get my money.
Forget this ever happened.
And if Ididn’tdo it–well, I wouldn’t have to worry about rent anymore. So that was a plus.
Bone man huffed out a breath before plucking me off the ground and throwing me over his shoulder, knocking the wind from me. The world spun as he got me settled, and I involuntarily thrashed against him.
“Put me down!” I screamed, fighting the urge to remind him the game hadn’t started yet.
“Too slow. Quit fighting. If I drop you your head will split open like a watermelon.”
My stomach twisted at the imagery of my blood and gray matter spattered across the autumn hellscape. And, while I didn’t want to be carried, I also didn’t wantthat, so I allowed myself to slump across his shoulders like a rag doll.
My face hit the leather of Bone man’s armor, and it dug into my skin. The musk of man flooded my nostrils. It wasn’t bad, but I’d definitely forgotten what someone could smell like when they didn’t use deodorant. Plus, for the first time, I had a reminder that these fourcouldbe human, and that somehow made this worse.
I lifted my head slightly only to be brought to eye level with the crying man, who once again, was proving he was very alive, even if he didn't talk. He shook his head slowly and then clasps his hands as if deep in prayer.
At first, I feared the clown the most. But, there wassomethingabout the quiet man trailing behind us that unnerved me in ways the others hadn’t. I exhaled and closed my eyes, determined to somewhat enjoy the last moments before my possible execution.
The journey didn’t take long, and once we stopped moving, Bone man planted me firmly on the ground. My eyes snappedopen just in time for his hands to rest on my shoulders as if he were steadying me, trying to make sure I wouldn’t fall. The act wasoddlygentle, seeing as I was about five minutes away from being hunted for sport.
He stepped back and left me to look around. Breathing in the chilly air, I surveyed my surroundings. Red Lace Manor loomed in the background, but just barely. The porch light illuminated it like a haven, but I knew for a fact, Iwasn’tgoing to set foot in that house again.
Wind whistled through the trees as I turned around to see a crumbling mausoleum. Was that where they stored the women who lost the game? Or was it just decorative? My lips pulled into a grimace, and I decided it was best to not think about that.
