CHAPTER FIVE

The need for contact was overwhelming. I reached out, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of her pants, before finally settling on her thigh. She looked down at my bloodstained hand, but instead of pulling away, she pressed closer to me, her warmth radiating against my solid form. The desire to have her spread beneath me was like a raging inferno fueled by every inch of her body that I wanted to worship.

My eyes were drawn to her like a magnet, longing to stare at her flawless features for the entire duration of the ride. But I couldn't risk others noticing.

She was too beautiful.

If they dared to look at her for more than a few seconds, I would have no choice but to gouge their fucking eyes out. Sunshine wouldn't approve of such violence, so I forced myself to tear my gaze away, seething with frustration and primal possessiveness over this woman who captivated me so effortlessly.

I distracted myself by listening to multiple conversations at once and sorting through the fodder on board with us. The extension of myself covering my face made this part easier. Sunshine had been smart to claim Carol. Before she put herself in harm's way, Earl I could have given or taken. He'd already proven himself weak by getting his granddaughter killed back at the Cafe, and just revisited that fact by earning the nice-sized knot he was sporting.

Hayven was the only other soul on board worth preserving. I wondered if Sunshine or her friends recognized her yet.

She'd gone through Judicium with them a few years ago and was usually present when we met up before things imploded. She had always been, and still was, my brother's choice. Doubted she felt the same since he'd fucked her and then disappeared when the news came the others had been locked away.

She wasn't supposed to be here. The kid should have been far from this place. They robbed a cradle for his existence and had always taunted us with it. Seemed now the Board was making moves and not bothering to be subtle about it. As the tram screeched to a halt, an electronic exit sign flashed above us and the door hissed open. My instincts kicked in and I grabbed Sunshine by the waist, pulling her up with me as we exited out into the night, using myself as a barrier between her and the strangers.

I held onto her tightly, wanting to merge our bodies together.

With great reluctance, I released her from my grasp. She tilted her head back, gazing up at me with a gentle smile, and returned the embrace with a not-quite-as-tight hug, never complaining about my quirks.

"They really brought us to a trail in the middle of the woods," Melantha remarked, pushing herself deeper into Maverick's hoodie.

I looked around, having never been so far out in all my time inside the Playground. It appeared unassuming—harmless. Those were often the places that had the more elaborate twist. The trail was lined with small lights and the smell of moss was heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of damp earth. The fog wasn't as thick here, but it still clung to the trees and underbrush, giving the woods an eerie, otherworldly feel.

We began to move forward, our footsteps muffled by the soft ground.

I kept Sunshine in front of me, my senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig had me scanning the surroundings, ready to react at a moment's notice. We walked in silence for a while, the only sound was the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot, the fresh fodder trailing behind us.

"How much further do you think it is?" Grace asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Not sure. Just stay close." I could feel her tension, the unease that came from not knowing what lay ahead. This was where I was meant to reassure her. "You don't need to be afraid. In here, or out there. You have me to keep you safe."

She exhaled softly and nodded, reaching back to brush her hand against mine as we moved. I wasn't good with this kind of thing—honeyed words and gentle promises. Never had been.

I always offered her what I could, and she accepted it all, never asking for me to change or pretend to be something I wasn't. She had to of been made for me.

Lana's gaze darted around, her head slowly turning this way and that as she scanned the woods. "This place gives me the creeps, even more than you ever have Ciaran."

"Stay focused and stop flirting with me," he retorted.

Brody and Dion took up the rear, their heads swiveling as they kept watch. The rest of the group stayed in tight formation. As we continued along the trail, the lights began to grow dimmer, the fog thickening around us once more. Grace stumbled on a root, and I caught her, steadying her before she could fall.

"Careful," I murmured.

"Thanks," she replied, giving me a small, grateful smile.

We pressed on, the trail winding deeper into the woods.

"This is getting ridiculous," one of the fodder girls said, her frustration evident. "How long are we supposed to keep going?"

"I'm assuming until we reach the end," my brother replied sarcastically, sticking close to Hayven who had resorted to ignoring him.

We kept going until we reached a small clearing. A large lake stretched out before us, and the start of a low bridge was visible, its end slanting down into the fog, making it impossible to see where it led. Off to the side, a sign in the form of a rhyme greeted us.

"Cross the bridge, take the plunge, Beware the chill, it won't last long. Step by step, don't you lag, Or in the depths, you'll surely be dragged."

"I knew depths had to do with water," Dion said with a sigh.

Maverick glanced at the sign and shook his head. "Looks like we're in for a swim. Anyone bring their floaties?"

Roger voiced his doubt. "Are we seriously supposed to cross this? We don't even know where it leads."

"Then you can stay exactly where you are," I replied bluntly, my patience wearing thin. I wanted nothing more than to make him stop breathing altogether, but I was keeping myself in check for Sunshine's sake.

Without another word, we began to proceed, moving slowly forward onto the bridge. The wood creaked under our weight, and the fog continued to swirl around us, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. As the bridge slanted down, we started to enter the water. It was chilling, the cold seeping through our clothes and biting at our skin. I used the opportunity to rinse my hands of the blood, on them relieved I could properly touch Sunshine again.

She shivered, and I reached for her hand, offering what little warmth I could. Each step took us deeper into the icy water. The others followed in silence.

Earl, the weak man Grace had decided to rescue was almost knee-deep when he boldly spoke. "I don't like this. Not one bit."

"Just keep moving," Maverick encouraged, though his usual humor was absent.

As we continued, the water nearly rose to my waist and Sunshine's stomach. I kept a close eye on her, ready to support her if she faltered. The bridge flooring suddenly turned to metal, a grate-like structure beneath our feet.

Lana cursed under her breath. "If it gets much deeper, I won't be able to reach."

"That's why you have me," Ciaran responded, his voice calm and confident.

She shot him a skeptical look. "How is that supposed to help in this situation? Unless you're offering to be the door, and I can be Rose?"

He scoffed. "Don't insult me, Puppet. We'd obviously drown in the icy water together."

"Is that supposed to be romantic?"

"Sure. I'll serenade you as we go down."

Their banter, despite the circumstances, brought a small smile to Grace's lips. Suddenly, a slowed and distorted version of "Ring Around the Rosie " began to play, the children's voices echoing through the fog.

"Oh, hell no," Dion uttered. "I've seen this movie before."

Mel started to laugh, then slapped his arm gently. "Don't make me do that."

"Are we meant to go down then?" Hayven asked, her accent choppy with her teeth chattering.

We sloshed forward a few more paces, and then without warning, the metal grate beneath our feet dropped away altogether, forcing us fully into the water.