Counterfeit ✓

Chapter 32

GUARDS DRAGGED MILA across the square. The former tree houses had meanwhile already been demolished or set on fire and the square also had a frightening view. A pyre stood in the center-just like in Stephen's first camp-and several members of Oliver's squad were already tied up in the center.

Mila suppressed the urge to throw up. She refused to show her distaste for Stephen to prevent him from burning her at the stake. She realized she had little to no chance of convincing him and wasn't allowed to make any wrong move. Once she arrived in the center of the square, Amy pushed Mila towards him.

"Fight with the boys?" Stephen asked with a grin. "Unbelievable."

"They hate me. I've destroyed a chip and didn't trust Oliver."

On the way to Stephen, Mila had already thought about her explanation. She didn't want to tell a lie because she knew he was punishing every kind of untruth. Mila lifted her chin, refusing to show her weakness to the world.

"A chip?"

To suppress a smile, Mila nodded and bit the inside of her cheek. Stephen's confirmation showed that she was taking a step in the right direction. Without appearing overzealous, she waited for Stephen to continue the conversation first. After spending time with him, she perfectly learned how to play him.

"What chip?"

"We found one when we murdered a wolf. We thought the chip would lead us out of the forest."

"You destroyed an anchor."

Mila nodded. "Thomas hates me for ruining the chances. I just didn't believe in finding a way out."

"Right."

She was treading thin ice. Mila bit her lip to stop herself from commenting. She had to give Stephen a chance to win her over, or at least make him feel like it. Any other attempt could turn against her. As he peered back at the pyre, the muscles in Mila's body tensed.

"You hate the boys, too."

"Yes. They ruined everything. We're good where we are."

He frowned.

Mila lowered her gaze. She had used the wrong tactics. Of course, Stephen remembered how Mila wanted to go home at all costs, and now she had a different thought without giving a reason.

Stephen moved his hand. A guard stepped out of the tree house on the left with Elody in shackles behind him. Mila swallowed. Elody was the only one who could betray her secret if she wanted to. And she had every reason to get back in his good graces. Betraying Mila meant saving her own life.

"What happened, Elody?"

She blinked. "The hatred between the boys and Mila is crystal clear."

Mila tilted her head, wondering why Elody was lying. She couldn't tell much from Elody's gaze. Mila put her hands in her pockets to hide the trembling. As Stephen dropped a silence, Mila squeezed her eyes for a moment.

"Okay. Adapt or die?"

To make it clear, Mila missed that sentence for no money in the world. Those famous words still made shivers roll down her back, though she had learned to hide it. Smiling and full of persuasion, she looked Stephen straight in the eye. Her stomach turned in disgust at her acting.

"I'll do whatever you want."

"You still have to convince me."

Amy stepped forward. "She's playing you."

"We'll see." Stephen nodded at the guards. "Loyalty is easy to test."

Elody gave Mila a look she immediately understood. The test was vital to win Stephen's trust or she was going to pay for it with her death, and now Oliver wasn't there to save her. Mila breathed a deep sigh and stared at Amy.