Page 52 of Rattle the Cage

Backed up to the gate, a plain, white box truck idled. The red of its brake lights illuminated the gate’s Feverpoint logo.

Nash walked along the gate, getting a look at the driver’s seat of the truck. “All clear.”

That was the deal.

The Oracle made a delivery. They left. We did our work. And they grabbed the trash.

No one was allowed in. No one was allowed to see what we got up to. Except, of course, our dear plaything.

They would leave the money in a bag at the back of the box truck, buried behind a false panel. When we were finished, and our bloodlust had waned, one of us would go in, kick in the panel and grab the bag of cash.

Standing up from the electric box, I watched as Tess’s eyes followed each of us to our new positions.

Hurdling over the counter, I walked back to the admission booth where Tess stood with her hands on her hips.

Cyrus stood beside her, digging into her pocket and fishing out a small, folded tactical knife. “Keep this on you. If they come after you, go for the neck.”

“This is all you’ve got?” Tess scoffed at the puny knife.

“Didn’t expect to have a guest.” Cyrus growled back, her eyes narrowing on Tess.

Licking my lips, I came up behind Tess and whispered, “We’ll have to get you something special for the next one.”

But as Cyrus stepped forward, heading for the gate, I felt a surge of energy.

Such a tiny knife. She’ll need my protection.

Shaking out my limbs, I tapped my ax blades together, letting the loud shink echo off the building facades and cobblestone streets.

Cyrus pulled open Feverpoint’s gate, jumping up onto the box truck’s low deck. Turning to look back at us, Cyrus was waiting for Nash to get into position.

Sauntering back toward Tess and I, Nash let the mallet drop to the ground. A low rumble followed behind her as she dragged Trixie along until she was standing beside us.

My eyes caught on Tess, standing between Nash and I. Her lips were pressed together tight, like she was trying to keep water in — or out. But her eyes were wide, fear in those blue wonders.

I watched the veins on her neck pulse, nerves taking over.

My body was on fire watching her like that. It was fucking hot. The fear. The desperation. How we’d have to protect her.

Shaking it off, my eyes turned back to Cyrus who was bending over to grab the door handle.

A rush of excitement ran through me, letting the twins smack together one more time. A cackle ripped through my chest. “Let the games begin!”

27

TESS

My bones rattled as the box truck gate lifted.

Cyrus flung it up, letting it slam into the roof of the truck.

Gripping my little knife, I felt the pattern digging into my skin.

Grabbing the handle on the side of the truck, Cyrus slammed the end of her machete into the metal siding. Her voice was a deep, roar. “Better run, piggies! Last one standing gets their freedom!”

Inside the truck, the men looked panicked and terrified. God only knew how long they’d been in the dark truck, waiting to see their fate, only to confront three masked clowns and a blood-smeared woman ready to hunt them down.

Nash laughed next to me, “Don’t worry, Sweet Lamb. We’re going to kill every last one of them.”