19

Blair

Present

Cerebrum .

It means the brain. That’s where fear comes from. As human beings, fear makes us panic. Panic makes us make stupid choices in dangerous situations. Which means staying calm is the most important thing.

These are all things I rationally know. But they’re all too hard to remember when there’s a venomous snake wrapped tight around my thigh, and the boy who broke my heart has his hands on my body and a dark look of hunger in his green-flecked black eyes.

“Asher,” I beg. “Please—please help me.”

“How about we give them a show?” he murmurs.

My stomach does a series of somersaults. This is crazy, deranged, unhinged. Just like Asher. Unlike the pendant hunting challenge in the dark, or outside the warehouse, this time everyone can see us. There’s a whole crowd of sadistic spectators standing around the pit, eyes glued on us. I think their phones were confiscated at the door, but that doesn’t change that hundreds of eyeballs are currently staring at Asher touching me.

But I can’t deny that there’s an ache pounding through my core as I watch his strong, tattooed hands slide over my folds, setting my clit on fire.

The music in the warehouse thumps louder over the hissing, slithering sound of the snakes.

“You’re insane,” I whisper. “We could die.”

A slow, excruciating smile spreads over his face. “And that’s exactly what makes it feel so fucking good.”

In response, I can only moan, trying not to move as I feel the snake twist further up my thigh. Asher doesn’t even seem to care. There’s no fear in his face, just pure, hungry satisfaction.

“Why are you punishing me?” I whisper. “I’m sorry for whatever you think I did. But you’re the one who hurt me.”

A flicker of confusion passes over his face, but it quickly dies. “You’re right that this is a punishment. But some girls enjoy being punished. I think you’re one of those girls, Blair.”

One of his fingers slides into me and my core spasms in pleasure. I’m still a little sore from how he pounded into me earlier, but for some sick reason that just adds to how good it feels. With a lurch of my stomach I realize that I want this. Even when my life hangs in the balance. Especially when it does.

“Good girl,” he murmurs as he watches me give into the growing ache of pleasure deep in my core.

He moves carefully, slowly, deliberately. That just makes it all the more intense. He’s thrusting in and out, his thumb circling my clit in a way that makes me want to scream, making me wetter by the second.

But I’m frozen.

Asher lets out a laugh as the shouts and whoops from the crowd above grow louder. I’m grateful the light above is so bright that I can’t see them, only a mass of shadows that I know are a group of sickos watching me being driven harder and harder toward orgasm.

“Do you like that, baby? Do you like everyone watching me claim your body like this?”

I half-sob out a yes, yes, yes.

It’s so wrong, but it’s true. The feeling of being exposed and at Asher’s mercy is doing crazy things to my body, lighting my core on fire.

“Good,” Asher mutters. “Because I fucking like it too. No one else deserves to see your beautiful body, but it drives me crazy knowing I can show you off. And that you’re mine. The girl everyone wants. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You’re fucking intoxicating, Blair, and I want everyone to know that I’m the one who gets to have you.”

The hiss of the snake is rising. Terror floods me, mingling with the intense pleasure in my system.

Asher leans in, his lips brushing mine, his dark hair falling forward as he whispers an order against my lips.

“Come for the crowd. Scream, and let every jealous fucker watching know that I’m the one who made you come.”

His fingers plow harder into my core and the orgasm explodes within me, as if on command. The sound of music, hissing, and the crowds screams all blur together as my mind is plunged into the dark bliss of another orgasm.

I’m trying to catch my breath as I hear the hissing grow louder. I blink my eyes open, just in time to see the snake coiled around my thigh raising its head, mouth widening to reveal its fangs—

Asher’s hand darts out, snapping the snake’s mouth shut and wrenching it from around my leg. The air is knocked from my lungs in fear as I fall back against the wall. Before I can even process what’s happening, Asher flings the snake upward, launching it out of the pit, where it lands among the horrified crowd. A wave of shouts and panicked footsteps follows as people scatter.

Asher grins at me, his eyes lit with wild energy. I can’t help but let out a shaky laugh, relief mixing with the thrill coursing through me.

Nothing that just happened is anything I would do. And yet, I did , and it made me feel unbelievably electric.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says.

I nod, taking a second to let my heartrate calm. But when he starts to move toward the pedestal platform, I hold out a hand. “Wait,” I say, an idea sparking in my mind.

He frowns. “What?”

Maybe I’m just crazy from the adrenaline and pleasure in my body after that insane orgasm, but I have a plan.

“It’s too dangerous to walk through them. But if you give me a boost, I can jump to the platform, grab the key, and go then on to the door.”

Asher studies me for a second before he nods. He crouches slightly and gestures for me to step closer. I take a breath, bracing myself, and he scoops me up, steadying me with his hands.

“All right,” he murmurs. “On three. One… two… three .”

He pushes me up as I jump, and I soar through the air, my heart racing as I land on the pedestal with a soft thud. I grab the key, steadying myself on the ledge. I look over at the door, calculating the distance. “I think I can jump to the clear spot near the door. Once I’m there, you can follow.”

Asher nods. “Get the door open. I’ll be right behind you.”

With a deep breath, I take a few steps forward and launch myself toward the door. I grit my teeth as I land, a bolt of pain running through my ankle. The snakes near me hiss and slither back as I hurriedly insert the key and twist it to unlock the door.

Asher crouches, eyes locked on the pedestal. In one powerful move, he springs off the ground, propelling himself through the air. He lands with a solid thud, steadying himself as the snakes swirl below.

Just as I turn the key, I catch sight of Asher launching himself from the pedestal. He lands beside me, and with one swift motion, I swing the door open. We both lunge through the doorway, slamming it shut behind us.

Joy and relief flood me. Without thinking, I wrap my arms around him in celebration. “We did it, Asher!”

Reality comes rushing back, and I remember this man just punished me for my sins by making me come in front of the whole competition. I awkwardly draw back, trying not to read into the look of conflicted surprise in Asher’s eyes.

“We did it,” he echoes.

Before I have more time to read anything into his expression, Lex appears, his presence cutting through the moment like a knife. His lips curve into a cruel smile.

“That was… quite the show.”

I drop my gaze. I should be embarrassed that he and everyone just saw that happen, but I can't forget how insanely thrilling it felt. Plus, I refuse to let him see me falter.

“In fact,” Lex continues, his voice dripping with mockery, “the Collective has something special in store for you two.”

Asher and I glance at each other.

“What kind of challenge?” Asher asks warily.

“Oh, it’s quite simple. We’re challenging you two to spend the next hour in the dark together. No rules, no questions.” His eyes settle on Asher. “ No consequences . The end is drawing near, and this is one more opportunity to prove yourself. To finally eliminate your competition.”

My stomach drops. What is he implying? Eliminate…?

Asher’s expression hardens, his eyes going cold as Lex gestures for us to follow. He leads us back down a shadowed hallway and stops at a heavy metal door.

Without another word, he opens it, revealing a room filled with nothing but darkness.