𝓢𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓓𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓼 • 𝓛𝔂𝓷𝓮𝔂 𝔁 𝓕𝓮𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻

Chapter 3 • The Cards Continue To Fall

"it's kinda crazy how stupid people can be."

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𝕐𝕆𝕌ℝ ℙ𝕆𝕍:

i'm starting to think that maybe – you know, just maybe i underestimated how quick i would be found out.

but like, maybe it isn't me. and it's just how magician lyney is staring at me with a knowing look, setting off a wave of nervousness.

still don't regret every second of trying, though. it was so worth it to watch from afar how he got on with the clues.

but i know him. not really well, but i know him enough to say that he's pretty clever. when he's in the right head space, of course.

should i run? or should i just play the cute, little innocent act for as long as i can?

i don't have enough time to figure out what to do before lyney approaches me. and not to be weird or anything, but he looks really attractive up close. and it makes me sick.

"are you the culprit of the game?" he asks with his signature sly smile.

well, there's no point in denying is there? not when you're standing in front of one of the world's soon-to-be most famous magicians.

"maybe i am. maybe i'm not. what do you think, mr. lyney?" i say after a few seconds, firing another question back as my means of defense.

there's something about his flirty tone that makes me want to confess on the spot. but that's no fun. sometimes, i despise this man.

"from the panicked expression on your face a few minutes ago, i'd say you are the culprit."

dear archons, where's lynette to back you up when you actually need her? or at least charlotte?

"then i'd say you're correct, mr. magician." something inside me lit up at the way he smiled. "but isn't that a boring way to end this game? how about one last round, hm?"

honestly, i had no idea what bullshit i was sprouting myself. i hadn't planned the next clue yet, as the one i had just made was for him to wait for a signal.

maybe it's the fact that i'm a people pleaser, and i try desperately to try and accommodate everyone's needs.

or maybe it's the way lyney's eyes sparkle at the opportunity of a new challenge. with that sly, capable smirk.

"oh? another round? well, i wouldn't mind that at all. what's the clue then?"

what is the clue? i don't know. but there is one thing i had in mind.

"three birds on a wire, have lost things most dear. retrieve those things, and the reward shall be clear."

it's way more embarrassing saying it aloud then writing it down on a piece of paper.

lynette already knows about this clue, and it was supposed to be second to last or whatever. but i think she'll understand and go along with it. or at least i hope she does.

there it is again – that knowing glint in his eyes. he already knows what i'm talking about. although, i'm sure he can already put the pieces together to figure out how i know.