Page 636 of The Bonding Games: Part 1

Yes, ma’am. I send her a picture of me saluting, lids stretching wide in anticipation as I wonder if we’re able to do that—to exchange images. No one’s ever mentioned it before, and I’d never even thought of it before now, but they’re thoughts, right?!

Ezzy freezes in place, shock colouring her features.

Oh my holy fuck! WOOOOHOOO! It worked, didn’t it?!

Tiger . . . did you just send me an image? Ez’s words are slow.

Uh-huh!

I’ve never seen her look so stunned. In fact, I’ve never seen her truly stunned at all.

Look at me go, Deadly Nightshade! Are you proud?!

A few beats pass, and I just know her brilliant mind is working at top speed, analysing every aspect of my discovery. Yet, the more I think about it myself, I don’t understand how no Bonded would know this; there’s at least thirty Bonded groups that have survived The Bonding Games over the past eleven years they’ve been going on. Unless they all kept their findings to themselves, which is . . . actually very likely considering I’d automatically thought to do so myself. But does that mean . . .

Are there people out there actively, even if quietly, rebelling? It’s not exactly breaking news that many people aren’t fans of TBG, but I’ve never heard of anyone who’s actually acted on their feelings towards it.

The Council would probably see it as treason to keep a secret like this from them.

Unless they already know and simply don’t bother to mention it? Hmmm . . . that seems unlikely—sharing images between minds would be extremely helpful for many things. Any Bonded from past years would also be dragged back into the Techtis Council’s clutches and experimented on if they admitted to knowing this, too, I bet. So that may be the reason we’ve never heard of it.

All of this only fuels my determination to win the Games and demand they end forever. Even if it’s a long shot, we have to try. And what if we got the fans’ support? The audiences of The Bonding Games already love us, we could use all this . . .

I am proud. Extremely. I hear all these thoughts.

Blinking, I zone back in on Ezzy, horrified my mind could ever leave her to stray to—

Oh, wait. I can’t remember.

I’m too distracted by my Wifey . . . and the hand that’s now on my chest. The chest I very subtly puff up for her.

You were thinking about winning The Bonding Games. Then ending the event.

Oh, riiiight!

Ezzy tells me, I love killing.

Awww . . . isn’t she so adorable?

So I would be very upset if the six Games were abolished.

A pout pushes my lips out—before an idea springs to mind: You could still attend them and kill! We could use the serum! Keep The Bonding Games but make it voluntary and non-fatal and have a new Techtis Council—

I gasp.

Us! We could be The Council! That’s what we can ask for as our prize!

They would never allow it.

But I see that she’s intrigued, so I barrel on, They would! You’re the daughter of the Game Master! We both flinch at that, the reminder of that manky-ass, wretched swamp rat, and I push my feelings of apology down the bond, the way her mismatched eyes flicker letting me know she’s received them. They couldn’t refuse! You’re the face of the Exots! The entire Games! And they wouldn’t know our plans until it was too late! Besides, I don’t think they’re all bad, only a few . . . maybe half. We can work with that.

Ezzy considers me like she’s never seen me before, and it feels as though I’ve never seen myself, either. Who knew I could be so smart?

I did, sinful smoke informs me.

My heart leaps, and I’m sure my face shines brighter than the Sun now. You did?

Yes. You are very intelligent. I was simply waiting for it to come out—and it has. Beautifully. Well done. A pause as my heart melts. I will take all of this into consideration. I have always wanted to escape my father, but I have never wanted to leave this place. I had always thought I must sacrifice one for the other, but I would very much like to stay here, and that would be possible if I stole my father’s place on The Council. A thousand tiny wings flap around in my belly as she absently adjusts my bow tie while she continues, I am liking your idea with the serums. I could have a look at them myself if I can get my hands on some—which should not be too difficult, being who I am. Maybe I could modify it so that it mimics death; I am decently experienced in the sciences. Disappointing for my insatiable appetite, but I can work with this as long as I get to truly kill people, too. I am most hungry for those tainting the world like my father. I will not let anyone keep me from my favourite pastime. However, I can do this for you because it will benefit me overall. Ezla doesn’t explain exactly how, but the wicked glint in her eyes tells me she now has plans for world domination . . . which I inadvertently encouraged.