Chapter 1

Betrayed

My body aches worse than when Mickey broke bones and shredded tendons, making me a Gold.

"Bloodydamn!" I cry out. Quinn sits by my side, rubbing salve into cuts. I underestimated the Jackal. So stupid. Jupiter and Pluto laid the perfect trap, knowing I would charge the Map room, enraged, vengeful for Roque's butcher.

"You cry like a Pink," Quinn retorts. Warm breath hits my neck. Her touch is soft. But my heart is for Eo. My soul is for Lykos.

I unclench my fist; my palm is stained red from the crushed haemanthus blossom.

Booming steps echo down the corridor. I reach for my curved blade. The door crashes open.

"Darrow!" Pax screams. The room shakes as the Titan falls to a knee and rests his massive hand on my side. It's Pax, so his hand weighs as much as a pile of stones. Bloodyhell he's a beast.

"Pax…can't breathe…" I grimace as he removes his hand and my cracked ribs reset.

Pax stands. "Servo and the Howlers found Cassius."

I winch as I prop myself on an elbow. My gut twists. "Is he alive?"

"Are those tears, Reaper?" Cassius strolls in, golden curls falling over his duro-armour. "Always knew you were nothing more than a smart pixie." He chuckles.

"And you, little prince? I remember someone weeping before I passed out."

He leans in and cups my head. "I've lost two brothers already to these gorydamn games…" His voice is like a sharp blade over stone. "…I won't lose a third."

"Come on, Pax," Quinn says. "I think these two pixies need to be alone."

I glare at Quinn. "Shut it," I growl.

She gives me an impish smile as she bows, mockingly. "Of course, Darrow. Anything for my Primus." She leaves the room.

"Primus?" I stammer.

"Yes brotherman," Cassius says. "Your siege of House Ceres has earned you your last golden bar, and the title of Primus of House Mars." His eyes are devoid of jealousy as he loops the golden Primus chain around my neck. "I'm pretty enough," he quips. "I don't need jewelry."

Pax roars. His laugh nearly busts my eardrum. "Darrow. Darrow!"

I can't celebrate. This was a small step. I need to crush the Proctors and finish this game. My throat burns, knowing what I must ask. "What of Mustang?"

Cassius tilts his head toward the door, eyeing Pax. He leaves quietly, shutting the door behind him.

"I almost had that slag, Virginia." He spits on the ground. "High-drafts from House Ceres waited in the woods. I wasted two of them, before a third used a stunpike on me." Cassius' stare looks distant, almost…afraid. "Sevro tackled him, ripped his throat out with his teeth. Glad he's on my side. Mustang and her brother, the Jackal made a pact. Took thirty of our slaves, horses, weapons, and food."

So easily does the loyalty of Golds shift. She sang Eo's song. I will cut her throat so that she never sings again.