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120


ARIADNE 

When I heard the door creak open, I weakly turned my head towards it to see Callan. I had this premonition that Magnus was going to walk in here. And I didn't want to see him. But luckily, I was wrong yet again. 

Callan's face was tight and his eyes stormed like he was trying to hide something, but it was very hard for him. I tried to speak but my throat felt raw. He must have seen the curiosity in my eyes, because he said it before I even asked. 

"He told me that..." He paused for a moment and sighed, shaking his head. "That you'll still be part of the Games. And that nothing is going to stop him from changing his words." 

He looked disgusted as he said the words. And as much as I had half-expected Magnus to refuse the request, hearing it still felt like a brick had been slammed into my chest. For a moment I didn't move. I opened my mouth to speak as the blood pounded in my brain, but I didn't know what to say. 

Really? Was he really going to send me into harm's way again even after I had nearly died saving his life. 

Maybe I had underestimated that brute. I had always thought he was a monster, but it was clear he was more than that. My heart twisted so painfully I thought I might choke on it. He pulled a chair and sat close before resting his elbows on his knees. 

"I tried to talk him out of it, but he said you'll fight as soon as you're ready. He doesn't care what state you're in, mentally. He just said that as long as you're physically ready, you'll fight alongside him. I'm really sorry, I tried everything I could but my brother is just unbelievable. I really can't believe he's doing this." 

Another long silence followed. I looked away, blinking and willing myself not to cry but my throat was already shaking. That's when the door opened. I didn't even bother to look but looking through my tear-filled eyes I knew it was Sera. 

She slipped into the room and looked at me for a moment, before quickly discerning that something was enough. When Callan told her, she went over to sit on a chair, quietly, before hugging herself. It didn't take long before her whole body broke. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing loudly. 

"No," she whispered, before it got louder. "No, no, no, this isn't fair!" 

Her cheeks were wet and red when she lifted her was. 

"Why is he doing this to us? Why would he treat my sister like this? Like she's..." her voice trailed off as the tears continued to rip out of her throat. 

I hated this. I hated seeing her this way, especially when it was because of me. I pushed myself up on the bed, reaching out towards her, not knowing what to say to make her feel better. 

"Sera," I could hardly hold back the tears that were creeping into my broken voice now. "Don't cry, please. I'll be okay. Everything is going to be fine." 

That did nothing to calm her because she shook her head violently as the tears continued to pure pure her cheeks. 

"No, it won't! You don't see it, Ari. Are you too blind to see it? Or are you just pretending that none of this is happening when it's pretty much happening to you. He’s destroying you. He's killing you piece by piece and you're still here trying to tell me that it's fine. No it's not. And stop trying to make me feel better because I won't buy it. I'm not an idiot, Ari." 

Her voice sounded so tense it was sharp, so sharp it had my heart twisting painfully. I hated this. I hated seeing my sister this way. But I wasn't going to watch her crash under the weight of her despair. I tried again, stretching my hand towards her this time as I spoke to her. 

"Listen to me. I promise... I'll survive this. I'll make it through and I'll come back to you. You just have to trust me. No matter what we are going to fight or compete against during the games, I'm pretty sure I'm going to come out of it alive. Nothing is going to kill me. Magnus has tried everything he can but I'm still here with you, I'm still standing. So don't worry about me because I'm not going to let anything happen to me. And I will come back to you because you're one of the few people who I have to live for." 

Her chest rose and fell quickly as she looked at me. She was sad and angry at the same time. She shook her head again, and this time it was even harder. Then she turned away, hugging herself again. 

"I can't. How many times are you going to say that? Are you going to keep giving me reasons why you have always allowed him to fuck you over everytime, and he keeps doing it because he'd clearly enjoying it. You have to give him a fight at least." 

"I did. But you see what it led to. Promise me the last thing we want to do is force this. Remember that Magnus has a lot of power at his disposal. He could kill me if he wants. And that's why I'm trying to thread lightly here. Because of you." 

She stood up. "Stop saying that! This is not because of me. And I don't want to hear you keep justifying that sick fuck!" 

"But-" 

"Just stop!" She yelled before she turned and rushed towards the door. She pulled it open and hurried down the hallway.

Deafening silence took over as the sound of her footsteps faded down the hallway outside until the only thing I could hear was the sound of my own breathing and faint stir of my pulse in my ears. I hated this. She wasn't even making this any better. I stared at the door for a long moment after she was gone and with every moment that passed it felt like my heart was sinking deeper. 

"She hates me now, "I whispered, not even realising I had said it out loud until Callan shook his head slowly and leaned back in the chair. 

"No. She doesn't hate you. Ariadne. She hates Magnus. She hates the way he treats you and maybe she hates herself because there is nothing she can do to help. Because maybe she feels helpless and useless while her sister keeps getting into trouble, because of her. You both care about each other deeply. And that's something you shouldn't take for granted. Because not everyone has that blessing." 

I closed my eyes, fighting the sting of tears that were poking at my eyeballs. "Maybe." Another long, loud sigh left him, before he continued. "I can't change my brother’s decision. You know how stubborn he can be. But we can do something else about this." 

He pushed his chair close to me and then leaned forward before his voice dropped an octave. 

"I'm going to help you. During the competition, when everyone is busy watching the hunt, there will be a distraction. Throughout the Pack. And that is going to be a very good opportunity to get out of here unnoticed. You, Sera... I'll get both of you out. But you both have to be ready before then."