CHAPTER TEN

As we made our way through a narrow, crimson-lit corridor, a sense of unease consumed me. Ky's tight grasp on my hand was the only thing keeping me grounded. Earl had saved my life, and that realization twisted painfully in my gut. He didn't have to help us, but he did. I couldn't help but wonder how much longer we could retain our humanity in this forsaken place. The boys had already lost a significant part of their own, particularly Kyrous, and I couldn't be certain if it was solely due to the Playground's influence.

"What just happened?" Dion exclaimed, still processing what had transpired.

"Earl had a bounty on his head. By taking him out, the Cannibal gained merits," Ciaran explained nonchalantly, as if it were just another normal occurrence in their twisted world.

"So you all have an honor system?" Lana retorted sarcastically, rubbing her head where she had hit the wall.

Ciaran stepped closer to her, gently brushing his fingers over the spot she was nursing. In the dim, eerie light, it was hard to see much clearly, but the tenderness in his touch was unmistakable.

"Let's get upstairs," he said, not giving her a chance to protest.

"Where are we?" I asked as I took in the rest of the dimly lit hallway, bathed in an unsettling red glow.

"Kink's Cirque De Sol," Maverick replied with a flourish.

"She has a whole building?" Hayven asked skeptically yet curiously.

"This is much more than that, you'll see," Brody added, his voice hinting at secrets yet to be revealed.

We reached the end of the hall, where a sleek black lift awaited us. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie—shiny, featureless, and ominous. Ciaran stepped forward, placing his finger on a small scanner beside the door, followed by entering a code. The door slid open silently, revealing the lift's dark interior. We all piled in, the door closing behind us with a soft hiss. There were no buttons inside, no way to choose our floor. The lift moved on its own, the quiet hum of machinery the only sound.

It felt like an eternity, but it was only seconds before the door slid open again, revealing another hallway—this one much grander. We stepped out into what appeared to be a foyer, although unlike any I had ever seen before. Red chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting an eerie light over the room. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, their shadows dancing in the dim glow of the chandeliers.

The soft hum of music drifted toward us, its eerie melody just loud enough to be unsettling. The further we walked, the more I began to notice the details—the luxurious textures of the walls, and the polished black floors that reflected the crimson light. The hallway finally opened up, and I stepped into an expansive, dimly lit room. The sight made me pause, my eyes widening in surprise.

"A penthouse?" Lana muttered under her breath, echoing my thoughts as we both took in the luxurious surroundings.

The room was sleek, modern, and bathed in the same red glow that had followed us from the hallway. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the space, offering a stunning, if not slightly unnerving, view of the sprawling city below. The glass felt like a barrier, separating us from the world outside as if we were trapped in some kind of twisted snow globe. The kitchen area was a study in minimalism, with black countertops and red underlighting that gave it an almost futuristic feel.

The glossy surfaces reflected the light, making it seem as if the entire room was pulsating with a faint, crimson heartbeat. To the left, a sprawling sectional couch sat in the center of the living area, its dark fabric almost blending into the shadows. Plush cushions were scattered across it, inviting yet somehow unwelcoming at the same time.

"This place is… something," I said, my voice tinged with both awe and caution.

Across from the sectional, a wall of flat screens displayed various scenes—the outside of the building, the rooftop, and what looked like the interior of a nightclub.

People were inside, mingling, while various clowns went about mundane tasks like stocking shelves and adjusting props.

A soft whir came from the far side of the room. Another lift opened, and three women stepped out, followed by three men. Among them were a blonde, one with lilac hair, and a familiar dark-haired woman—Kinks. As soon as she spotted us, her eyes lit up. She dropped the axe she had been holding and flounced across the room, a wide grin on her face. "You're here!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Charon first and then Ky, hugging them both tightly.

The sight of her—dressed in her typical theatrical style—made the situation feel even more surreal. Kinks glanced back at the people behind her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Look, they're here!" she announced gleefully.

One of the men, clearly amused, stepped forward, lifting a metal mask off his face.

His hair was similar to Ky's, and his appearance was a blend of meticulous grooming and streetwise ruggedness. "We see that," he replied, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge.

"You're good?" Charon asked his sister, his tone laced with concern.

Kinks beamed at him, her energy almost infectious. "I'm fabulous as always. How are you?" Her expression shifted suddenly when she noticed the injury on Ciaran. "Cici, you're hurt!" she gasped, her voice rising in pitch like a concerned, yet somehow delighted.

"It's a flesh wound," Ciaran replied, brushing off the concern.

"You always say that," Kinks pouted before suddenly brightening up. "Oh, where are my manners?"

"Guests, meet my friends." She spun around dramatically, pointing first to the lilac-haired girl who waved with a soft smile. "Aisha."

Next, she gestured toward a blonde with two low ponytails who looked less enthused. Kinks leaned in, pretending to whisper but making sure everyone could hear her anyway. "And this is Jewels…more of an acquaintance, really." Jewels rolled her eyes but didn't say anything.

"And now, my pets," Kinks announced with a gleeful smile, her tone teasing and affectionate. "Eryx," she pointed to the first man, who nodded in acknowledgment.

"Rafe," she continued as another man stepped forward, pulling off his mask and offering a friendly salute. He had strikingly good looks, characterized by sharp, chiseled features. His bright, clear eyes and charming smile gave him the air of an archetypical golden boy, the kind who seemed open and approachable. His light, tousled hair added to his carefree, youthful appearance, making him appear inviting.

After seeing him drag a girl down the street by her hair—I knew better.

"And last but certainly not least, my precious Hael," Kinks said, her voice almost reverent as she introduced the last of the group. Hael had wavy, dark hair that framed his intense eyes—eyes that conveyed a myriad of emotions, from mischief to something deeply troubled. His facial structure was marked by strong, defined features, including a prominent nose and sculpted cheekbones, giving him an artistic yet somewhat melancholic air.

It was clear she held each of them in a different regard, her playful yet possessive tone indicating how much they meant to her. Kinks turned back to us, her friends spreading out around the room with the ease of people who were comfortable in their surroundings. She clapped her hands together, her smile as bright and playful as ever.

"So, what do you all need? Food, band-aids—" she added with a pointed look at Ciaran, who just shrugged. "Make yourselves at home. You've got some time before you have to go."

Lana, who had been silently observing the room, finally spoke up. "Can someone explain what's happening here?"

Kinks' expression shifted to one of mild disapproval as she looked at Ciaran. "You didn't tell her? Typical male." She shook her head at him, then smiled at Lana. "You're going to use my place as a distraction, party a bit tonight, and then sneak away like little mice at the first sign of morning."

Eryx stepped forward, his tone calm and reassuring as he explained further. "The cameras were looped when you reached the rear alley. When they see you on the club screens, they'll assume you're hiding out here. By the time they realize what's happened and make it this far, you'll be long gone."

Kinks turned to him, her smile widening. "That's what I just said." She rolled her eyes playfully before focusing back on us. "So relax, enjoy yourselves. It's not every day you get to be a ghost in this city."

Her words hung in the air, a mix of invitation and challenge. I wondered if she knew she sounded just like she did on the recordings. Her appearance was a perfect reflection of her personality - beautiful and vibrant. Even with her jester makeup on, it was clear to see that she was a stunning girl. She had long dark hair styled in two low buns, striking blue eyes, and delicate features that gave her a subtly curvy figure. Standing next to her brothers, it was evident that they were all related, except for their eye color.

Mel looked around the penthouse, her brow furrowed. "They can't see inside this place?" she asked, gesturing to the expansive windows that overlooked the city.

"Nope," Hael replied, glancing over at Kinks before continuing. "The glass is reinforced and one-way. We control the feed up here, and with enough effort, we can loop a few cameras. But that takes a lot more finesse, and right about now, they're tightening up security since I had to loop a few feeds just so they wouldn't know where you all went."

"But people saw us," Hayven pointed out, the tension in her voice clear.

"The Cannibals won't talk," Ciaran said, his tone firm. "And they don't wear bodycams. Think of them as private contractors. They play at all sorts of locations."

"Excuse me, body cams?" Lana shifted, her gaze flicking between everyone in the room.

Laughter rippled through the room, and it was Brody who spoke up. "All mid-level players have their secrets. Do you know how much a successful kill shot is worth? And what about when one of the girls in here sleeps with a hunter or executioner? Sometimes more than one?"

"That sounds like something from a torture porn," Mel commented, her voice dripping with disdain.

Kinks laughed and turned to Rafe with a mischievous grin. "Isn't that what I always say?"

Rafe nodded. "Every single time."

"And the other one?" I asked, doing my best not to dwell on that or who among our guys was considered a top earner.

"I have people on him," Rafe replied, his tone steady and reassuring.

Kinks grinned at that, her eyes lighting up with a mischievous gleam. "Aren't they the best?" she said, clearly pleased with the arrangements.

The confidence in her voice was contagious, and it was clear that they had the upper hand, at least for now. The room felt a little less stifling, the danger a bit more distant, though I knew it was only temporary.

We were all sitting on one section of the expansive sectional, the soft leather cool against our skin. It was strange to have a moment where a ticking timer wasn't hanging over our heads, counting down to the next threat or challenge. The scent of food wafted through the air. Kinks had platters brought up from her club's kitchen, a welcome luxury in this bizarre, twisted place.

The guys had wandered off to a gaming room, identified by the neon sign above the doorway that labeled it The Cave . I could hear occasional laughter and the clattering of pool balls from the other room, where Jewels had joined them. Though Lana hadn't said a word, her face as unreadable as ever, I could tell she wasn't thrilled about the girl being near Ciaran.

Kinks, ever the keen observer, noticed as well. "You don't have to worry about him, Lilly girl," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "He may not be the sharpest tool all the time, but he's not a hoe." The joke was delivered with a wink, and Lana actually laughed.

"I'm not worried," Lana replied, her tone light. "Just remembering the night that I saw him at a party, and she was there too."

I glanced over at Lana, my interest piqued. I knew exactly which night she was talking about, but what did she remember? I leaned back into the cushions, curious and a little apprehensive.

"I completely get it. I get a bit stabby when chicks get too close to my pets. Lucky for me, I've got them trained well." Kinks' voice was light, but there was a glint in her eye that hinted at the darker undertones of her words.

Mel laughed, leaning forward with a smirk. "So, the three—or four—of you are together?"

Kinks nodded, her expression softening into something almost affectionate. "Indeed. Those three are all mine. I wouldn't have made it this far without them."

"How did you get this far?" Lana asked, her tone more serious.

Kinks shrugged, the movement casual despite the weight of her words. "Passed one test, got forced into the game, and decided I was gonna make the Syndicate my bitch. After that, I figured I'd help my sweet brothers with a little world domination." She grinned, the playful malice in her expression unmistakable.

It was clear that she had fought her way to the top with a mixture of cunning, brutality, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Her confidence wasn't just an act; it was born from survival and victory in a world where only the strongest and most ruthless thrived.

Lana leaned back, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm a little in awe of you, to be honest."

I nodded in agreement, feeling the same way. "So am I."

"I think I'm in love," Mel sighed playfully.

Kinks grinned widely, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Gosh, you can't see it, but I'm definitely blushing right now. So, no hard feelings about me and Dolly causing a little chaos during our first meeting?"

"Dolly?" Lana asked, tilting her head slightly.

Kinks pointed across the room, where the axe she had tossed aside now hung on a pristine hook on the wall. Above it, a picture of Dolly Parton was prominently displayed. "Her," Kinks clarified. "That's Dolly. She's a real sweetheart, but she has a bit of a temper when things get too calm."

Hayven looked over at the axe, then back at Kinks, an incredulous smile forming on her lips. "You named your murder weapon after the Dolly Parton? That's iconic, really."

Kinks beamed with pride, clearly delighted by the reaction. "Isn't it? I figured if I was going to be swinging something deadly around, it might as well have the spirit of a true queen behind it."

Before anyone could respond, a voice called out from the other side of the room. "Kinks!" Aisha's voice carried over the soft hum of the room, catching Kinks' attention.

"Duty calls," Kinks said with a dramatic sigh, but she flashed them all a bright smile before jumping up and hurrying off.

"That is so Kyrous' sister," Lana said with a laugh as soon as Kinks was out of sight.

"She's great," I agreed, unable to suppress a smile.

Hayven leaned forward, grabbing an onion ring from the platter in front of her. "She's been here a long time."

"In the game?" I asked, curious.

"That as well, but because the guys keep playing. After she was duped into it and won, she figured out a way to make demands and never left. She's very hands-on with making sure everything goes right. She's a bit of a legend to the others."

"I didn't know that," Lana admitted.

"Neither did I."

Hayven looked at me, her expression softening. "What do you remember?"

"Not enough," I replied cryptically, my gaze dropping.

I wasn't going to say much more in front of Hayven. None of us would. Hayven seemed nice enough, and I did remember her from Judicium, but being nice didn't make someone trustworthy. We'd already been betrayed by the people who were supposed to love and protect us.

Kinks returned, her bright energy filling the room again as she announced, "It's time. Come with me and get ready."

The mood shifted, everyone falling silent as we rose to follow her down the hall. As we passed the pool room, I caught Ky's eye and felt a wave of déjà vu, the memory of that party flashing through my mind. That wasn't where we'd first met, but it was the night that set everything into motion.

Kinks led us to a set of double doors, pushing them open and stepping into a luxurious dressing room. We followed her inside, and she shut the doors behind us. The room was stunning, matching the penthouse's opulence. Various costumes lined the walls, with large mirrors surrounded by bright bulbs reflecting the array of outfits. Velvet curtains hung in the corners, creating private changing areas. Aisha was already inside, waiting for us. I'd wondered where she had rushed off to.

"Uh, what exactly are we preparing for?" Lana asked, glancing around the room, clearly as confused as the rest of us.

Kinks whirled around, her excitement palpable. "For tonight, of course. No one goes to Cirque as themselves. Now, hurry up, ladies! The guys are already antsy, and you don't want to keep them waiting too long."

Hayven looked at her, a little uncertain. "How full is this club, and what exactly happens there?"

Kinks grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It's a playground within the playground, but all mine. You'll see. Just think of it as the ultimate place to lose yourself and, maybe, find something you didn't know you were looking for."

"Alright," Lana said, stepping forward. "We need to pick something that matches then, but we don't want to blend in too much. We need to stand out."

Mel nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the options. "We also need to be practical. I need something with long sleeves to cover this," she said, pointing to where her bandage was on her chest.

Kinks watched us with a grin, clearly enjoying our indecision. "You're going to look great in whatever you choose, but you might want to consider these," she said, pulling out a set of outfits that were variations on a theme: corsets, skirts, thigh-high stockings, and matching accessories. Each one had a unique twist, but together, they formed a cohesive, eye-catching look.

"These could work," I said, examining one of the corsets. "We'll stand out, but we'll also look like a unit."

Lana picked up a similar outfit, nodding in agreement. "I like it. It's bold, but it's not over the top."

"Alright, let's do it," Mel agreed, grabbing the one with long sleeves. "This will cover me up, and we'll still match."

Aisha and Kinks moved around the room, helping each of us into our costumes. As I dressed behind one of the velvet curtains, Kinks slipped in with me under the guise of helping adjust my corset. "Discretion was the mission, sis," she whispered, her tone playful but with an edge of seriousness.

I gave her a confused look until she produced a small vial from her pocket, another dose of the antidote. She pressed it into my hand, her fingers lingering for just a moment. "You know what to do."

I nodded, understanding the unspoken instructions. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," she said with a wink, then slipped out as smoothly as she had come in.

My fingers trembled slightly as I examined the syringe. Helios had been a vibrant pink, whatever the antidote was, blue. I hesitated for just a moment, then took a deep breath and injected it into my arm, hoping I was doing it right. As I leaned against the wall, I could feel the substance moving through me, the sensation not as strong as before but still present. A wave of nausea hit me this time, and I closed my eyes, waiting for it to pass. The unease was new, and it left me wondering what exactly I was putting inside my body. When the nausea finally began to subside, I opened my eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different this time. I wished Ky were there with me. It felt strange being away from him now when he was adamant to keep me by his side, but there was no time to dwell on any of it. I slipped the syringe beneath my folded clothes and straightened up, pulling myself together and stepping out from behind the curtain to join the others. I could see the others were ready, each of us a dark reflection of the other, our masks and outfits.

"Ready?" Lana asked, her eyes meeting mine as she passed me one of the masks. Her voice held a mixture of excitement and trepidation, a reflection of the tension hanging over all of us.

"As I'll ever be," I replied, forcing a smile as the last traces of nausea faded, but the unease in my stomach lingered, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. I tried to push it aside, focusing instead on the bubble-gum pink mask in my hands. "You again," I mused as if greeting an old friend.

"The point is to be seen and since these are unique to each of you, they'll know who it is," Aisha explained, her mask a powder white with round eyes and hearts drawn on the cheeks. "You all look great by the way."

"Don't they! I'm so glad to have new girlfriends," Kink's chirped.

"Thanks." I adjusted my mask, feeling the weight of it pressing down on my nose. For me it was more than just a disguise; it was a shield, a layer of protection between me and whatever we were stepping into.

Lana slid hers on next, a direct correlation to Ciaran's with a red line on either side of its mouth. Mel's was the feminine LED from before, each half a different color, and Hayven's was half of a bunny. After one last glance at each other, we left the dressing room and were met with silence. Kinks was the first to break it. "I sent Jewels on an errand and sent the guys on their way to Cirque, with some assistance from Eryx and Rafe. They're waiting for us."

"How far are we going?" Mel asked.

Kinks grinned, "The only place a playground should be, down."

We stepped into a lift we hadn't used before, and it descended with a smooth, almost ominous hum. The anticipation built with each passing second, the air thick with the unknown. When the doors finally slid open, the sound of music rushed in, loud and overwhelming. The lift opened to let us out onto a balcony, two masked clowns standing on either side of the door, their presence more unsettling than welcoming.

Kinks exited first and turned around to face us. " Welcome to Cirque De Kinks ," she declared with a flourish, spreading her arms wide.

The entire club was filled with masked people, and I had a sinking feeling that every single one of them was a hunter. It was a lot to take in—different acts were happening in designated areas, some with a dark twist that made my skin crawl. Fire breathers, knife throwers, acrobats twisting in the air—all of them performing in a spectacle of chaos and violence. In the center of the club was a giant carousel, moving backward, its golden lights casting eerie shadows as it spun. The horses, twisted and deformed, seemed to be leering at us, mocking our presence.

"Prepare yourselves," Kinks said, her voice carrying over the music, a warning and a challenge all at once. This was her domain, her twisted circus, and we were about to become part of the show.