Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 126
Clara had crossed paths with him in a Dreamplay run, where she’d thwarted his hunt by saving his intended prey—sparking their grudge ever since.
Though “grudge” might overstate it; really, he’d fixated on her.
As the one who’d snatched his quarry, she piqued his interest.
For a hunter like Julian, bloated with self-importance, a worthy chase stirred more thrill than anything.
So when Clara learned Julian was in this round, she ramped up her guard, tapping contacts for dirt on him—gaining a solid read.
Julian’s nature slithered like a cunning snake: harmless facade, coiled and ready; relax, and those fangs struck.
This anonymous note-passing served as mutual probing.
Anonymity, plus guard checks, nixed their pre-set signals with Ethan.
A setback for her, but it cut both ways—Julian couldn’t slip codes to his women’s plant either.
He’d seek a breach.
With his aggressive streak, he’d aim to flush her men’s ally fast, unify his side unchecked, then sabotage her intel flow.
So he’d use his women’s mole to test—meaning he’d avoid naming himself.
Yet two slips pushed Julian; scratch those.
His pick would land on Gavin or Mason.
Clara slipped into his shoes: even sans a plant in the men’s camp, his charm could sway a few—maybe even hint pre-entry for solo runs.
If it flopped, no loss; it’d seed the notion: “Julian’s the best bet.”
So they’d likely plug their own names.
He and his women’s insider had synced pre-Dreamplay, holding off exposure, so they’d pick non-Julian.
Boosting his odds to at least one in four.
If his nominee self-promoted, half.
Either way, a solid gamble for him.
No Ethan mentions in the recs told Clara he’d hidden well—maybe even played Julian’s lackey.
That aligned with their pre-Dreamplay plan.
In Julian’s eyes, Ethan would’ve backed him too, so even sans self-plug from his pick, he’d peg base odds at one in three.
And failure? Just team testing.
Ethan, embedded in the men’s camp, would’ve foreseen this—guiding Julian to doubt his own ranks.
Thus, he’d echo Julian’s pick, prompting her invite to confirm.
Mason’s three nods validated her hunch.
Julian, Ethan, Mason himself—spot on.
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