Page 20 of Rattle the Cage

Tracking me, Blade kept the same distance between us as she kept me cornered. “Trinket. Stop. It’s over.”

“Not until you grab me.” I licked my teeth and tried to find a way to get past her.

If I could slide across the table, I could make a run for the exit. At least then I’d be out in the park. It’d be easier to get away in an open space. So long as I was inside, my ability to escape was limited.

Her mask made my heart pound faster.

In the weeks I’d been away, I’d almost forgotten how terrifying it was. The way the smile crept up her cheeks sent a wave of panic through me. And the splatters of blood reminded me exactly what she was capable of.

Now.

I took my chance, placing my palms on the table and vaulting across it.

Blade was on the move already, leaping across the distance to reach for me.

Just barely, her hand whiffed my shirt as I slipped past her.

Once I landed on the flagstone, I tried to take off for the door. If I could get past it, I could weave my way through this fake castle and find somewhere to lose her.

But as I ran, I felt her body on top of mine — felt the $80k slipping from my fingers.

Her weight pressed into my back, sending me falling into the ground.

In a swift motion, Blade placed her hands under my body and braced me for the tumble.

Her center pressed into my ass as I met the cold stone under my body.

“Time to play, Trinket.” Her breath was hot on my ear as she pinned me in place.

Squirming under her, I tried to resist the way my body remembered her. “Shit.” I winced as I clawed at the stone.

Gripping my wrists, Blade peeled my hands away from the ground and flipped me over. She pulled a small cord of rope from her pockets and wrapped it around my wrists. Weaving the rough strands between my hands, she pulled it tight into a handcuff.

“Fuck off.” I growled as Blade finished her knots.

“I know, Trinket. I’m sorry.” Her biceps flexed in her torn up muscle tee as she ripped me up. A part of me thought she actually was sorry, that winning tonight was no honor. But I also knew she must have been desperate for a release, and to know that I couldn’t slip away from her this time.

With my hands tied, Blade swept her arm under my legs and lifted me up.

In her arms, she trudged across the banquet hall to a large metal door and kicked it open.

Carrying me down a narrow, spiral staircase, Blade kept her head up. Her eyes, even through the mask, didn’t flick to mine a single time.

The stone steps were lit only by fake torchlight.

At the base of the stairs, Blade used the heel of her boot to kick in the unlocked metal dungeon door.

Closing it behind us, I knew I was stuck now.

There was no way I’d be able to get away from her now.

Besides, she’d caught me. I wasn’t going to cheat again. I had no interest in taking more of Cyrus’ blood money if I didn’t earn it.

“You know the rules. You’re mine until dawn.” Blade growled under her mask.

Looking around the room as Blade set me at the center of the medieval dungeon floor, I realized the only way we’d know it was dawn down here was the flashing green lights.

But god only knew if they’d installed one all the way down here.