Vengeance (The Prince's Games Book 1) Rebecca Grey (first e reader txt) 📖

in the crowd stop cheering as they watch me with smirks on their faces. I try to meet every single one of their eyes.

Slowly, I raise one hand for an exaggerated wave. My mouth falls to a flat line. Cold air snakes into my sleeve, the scabs from yesterday’s bite are still visible. For the bow, the bow I'm supposed to give these horrible creatures, I turn to face the king. He isn't talking to the attendant any longer, his caramel gaze is fixed on me. The corner of his lips twitches up as he stares back. With a squeak, my boots touch as I lower into the slightest curtsey I can give. When I stand tall again, I greet him with my best eat-shit grin and an obscene gesture that sends a murmur of whispers across the crowd. If this was any other day... I'd be dead.

King Caspar's mouth finally parts in a real, genuine smile. Maybe he knows I'm going to die today. Or maybe he knows that one day I'll come for him, and we can settle this between us then.

The announcer coughs, choking on his next words. "Hedda, female, Orc."

I slip back with my team, feeling the warmth around their bodies, still holding the king's gaze until Marcello bounces on his toes, hands clasped behind his back. "You have a death wish."

"So does the king," I sing back.

"What makes you think you could even get near enough to touch him?" Juilliard leans around Marcello, his lips puckered.

"What makes you think I won't kill anyone in my path?"

Both Elves roll their eyes but smile, amused by my statement. They're always underestimating me. Always assuming I can't do what I say I can.

"Juilliard, male, Elf." Juilliard's leathers are brown, thick with the same sort of armored like material Marcello wears under the thick vest he dons. The straps that would normally hold daggers and the belt at his waist where he'd kept his long sword in are all empty, making him somehow look smaller than he is. Like every other Elf male, he moves with a fluid grace and an arrogance that can't be backed up.

To my right, the last team waits. One last round of names and pathetic introductions. They'll forget our names as we pass away in their events. As if reminding us that the beast still waits, the Criosphinx at our entrance howls. The audience dances with excitement. I look from our beast to the others. The others snarl and drool but remain much more... docile than ours. The king’s way of ensuring I die quickly? Giving us a more rabid monster to deal with bare handed?

"Team Cuttington! Bekke, female, Elf."

I ignore their introductions, instead, tilting into Marcello. "Do you see what I see?"

"Isla, female, Vampire."

Marcello stands still but nods curtly. "The king will not make this easy on us." His silver eyes slide to me, adding, "on you."

"Orchid, female, Vampire."

"And how do you think we are going to get by it?" I push.

"Would you like to jump on its back and break its neck, or shall I?"

"Winona, female, Dryad."

Juilliard chuckles lightly. "Are you the only two who are allowed to get all the glory?"

"Sorry," I laugh, "Would you like to be the one potentially bucked off it's back and paralyzed?"

"It's called a tuck and roll, Nils."

The announcer’s drawl continues. "Noor, female, Werewolf."

"By all means, let Juilliard volunteer." I shrug.

"No, no, don't let me be the reason you can't show off. I'd love to see you try and snap that thing’s neck. It's fucking thick. Can your thin Human arms even manage that?"

Yes. I'm stronger than I look.

"I'll do it." I grit my teeth. At least if I'm launching myself onto it's back then I know they aren't feeding me to the gnashing claws and teeth. I'd rather hold the horns.

The last name is called. "Washington, male, Elf."

The minute it takes for the crowd to die down and the announcer to speak again feels like an entire year. Their clapping and shouting die to a low rumble of stomping feet.

"The first event will be the serpentine maze. Competitors will have to first get by the Criosphinx located at the entrance before them. Then they will need to find their way through the maze where other obstacles await. Competitors, please remember, when you make your way to the end of the maze you'll be escorted into your first Safe Haven and will have a moment to let the crowd know you've completed the first task."

Wave at the camera, he means. As if any of us will have the energy to do so. But sure, we can smile and wave again.

"Competitors, count yourself ready!" The microphone lowers and he brings a long white horn to his lips. A loud sound trumpets from the horn, signaling the start of the very first game.

 

 

 

Under me, my new boots gain purchase in the loose gravel faster than my old pair would have. My head pounds so loudly, I can't tell if the crowd has erupted with applause or if they're deadly silent all around us. Sloane and Finnegan move faster than the others, darting in front of us at blinding speeds.

"What’s the plan Marcello?" Sloane screams as she passes.

"Distract the beast, while Nilsa climbs it's back." He responds and Juilliard lets out a belting laugh beside him.

"Can't wait to watch this!" Juilliard pokes fun.

“Are you sure?” Finnegan yells even though he doesn’t slow.

“Are you sure?” Marcello repeats the question to me.

I’m sure I don’t want to be fed to its teeth and claws. I’m sure that I want some control in what I do and don’t do. I’m sure that I want to prove myself and all of humanity worthy of these