Wicked Games

Chapter 23

LISA

"Wake them," I mouth. "Keep them quiet."

They're here.

I know it. I can't see the militia, but I can sense them. The Assassin master used to call it our knowing. It's how he could tell the High Assassins from the mediocre. He said I was born with a knowing that was unparalleled. Too bad they stripped me of my Collection tattoos. Sure, I have my residual talent left, but it's nothing like it was.

My arms tingle. A crawling sensation that's creeping over my skin like silk and thorns. I know they're watching. I just need to find them.

I'm at the edge of the dome with a decision to make. Step out, risk being attacked. Stay inside and leave us sitting ducks.

I pull Chance out, rub her ridged edges, the gilded words.

"Don't fail me." I flick her up. She slams down and I drop her onto the back of my palm.

Yes.

She confirms what I already know: I can't stay put. It's the bigger risk. I need to break the dome and go on the offensive. If the militia are here, they've figured out we are here too. The only tactical move I have is to get out and get ahead of them. I crawl out of camp and sit just far enough out of the way I can reach the team, but I'm hidden from the militia, tucked under a shrub, camouflaged by leaves and forest detritus.

This is the dangerous part, using the team as bait. But it's the best tactical move, draw the militia in and slaughter them all. Roseanne is the first to realise I'm gone. Her face splits. Terror widens her eyes.

I'd never leave you, Roseanne. Have faith in me.

Roseanne starts, but only makes it a few paces before Jennie grabs her arm, fury drawing lines in her face.

"I need a piss," Roseanne snaps, shucking Jennie off.

Jennie raises her arms. "Fine, but don't go looking for Lisa. She knows what she's doing."

They're being too loud. Far louder than they should be given the circumstances. Which means Jennie must have caught on to what I'm doing. She knows they're the bait. So why be quiet?

Jennie grabs Roseanne's hand and pushes it onto the hilt of Roseanne's blade. Roseanne nods, and then says far too loud, "Won't be long."

She parts from the group, and my breathing shallows. Adrenaline shoots through my system, making my muscles tighten. I know she can look after herself, but I'm not rational when it comes to Roseanne. I want to leave, to run to her side and slay anyone that comes near. But if I do that, we lose our tactical advantage. I have to believe that she will handle herself. Hell, she's put me down enough times.

I hesitate.

But Jennie turns out to the woods, staring off into the distance. Looking for me, I suspect. She flicks her head in Roseanne's direction, draws a knife and stashes it up her sleeve. Jisoo comes into view now, rubs her hands and stretches her fingers. Hyeri and Taehyung draw their own weapons. They turn their backs on each other, each one facing a different direction, forming an inverted circle.

Makes sense. There's more of them. They protect the kit; I protect the girl.

I skirt around the edge of our camp, careful not to snap any twigs, to keep my feet light and my wits sharp. I stay low to stop my figure from breaking up the shrubs on the forest floor.

When I reach Roseanne, she really is peeing.

Gods, woman.

She's crouched down, her knickers round her ankles, a stream of water flooding the forest floor. I look away, trying to give her privacy, seeing as she doesn't know I'm here. The stream of water stops, there's a rustling and then...