Nightmare Game
Copyright© 2025 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 43
Witnessing Grace’s gruesome end left him dazed.
He’d thought his abilities guaranteed easy survival, but the Mrs. Bennett fight exposed the truth: he differed little from other guests, just with extra lifelines.
Surviving to day seven against her seemed impossible, not to mention the unknown Rosie.
He had to end this today, uncover the castle’s secrets before tonight’s banquet.
A fatal draw then might kill him before dawn.
So he targeted Ethan. Though solo, he’d tracked his movements, knowing him as the sharpest mind among them.
If anyone alive grasped the castle’s truths, it was Ethan.
And as a fellow guest, he’d be easier to handle than monsters.
Searching the castle, he spotted Ethan in the hall.
Lost in thought, perhaps onto something new, but whatever, as long as it aided escape.
“Ethan.”
Ethan showed no surprise, as if anticipating the approach.
“What’s up?”
Lucas stared silently, but Ethan held steady, gaze unwavering, the standoff lingering.
Finally, Lucas broke it.
“Let’s cut the crap. I know you hid in Mrs. Bennett’s room that day, and you lured her with noise to screw me over.”
“I should settle scores, but I’m generous; I’ll let it slide if you compensate.”
“Spill everything you’ve learned about the castle’s secrets so far, and we’ll call it even.”
Ethan just sneered.
“For someone like you, I’ve got nothing to say.”
Lucas frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ethan pulled a card from his pocket and tossed it at Lucas’s feet.
Puzzled, Lucas glanced down, his face shifting as he recognized it: the card Bella gave Ethan.
One he’d found in his room too.
“Familiar?” Ethan asked coldly. “If I’m right, you’ve got an identical one, snatched from Lily’s body.”
Knowing the jig was up, Lucas shrugged, unapologetic.
“So what? I didn’t mean to get her killed.”
“I just left the card on the tea room table after finding it. If someone took it, that’s not on me.”
“Blame her stupidity. Grown woman, thinking her sense of duty could save everyone when she lacked the chops. She had it coming.”
“No.” Ethan shook his head, eyes flashing sharply. “Whatever Lily was, scum like you doesn’t get to judge.”
“And your intentions were rotten from the start. If I have it right, after getting the card, you skipped the meeting, opting to test it on a guest instead.”
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