Sang is chosen for the Culling, a series of fights to the death that are generally played by men. In fact, Sang is the first woman selected, well, ever. As the games start, and Sang forms bonds with a group of nine men, she comes to realize that the...
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I woke up in stages.
First, I became aware of touch, and of feeling very warm. The cause of which, I was able to pinpoint to the body that was currently wrapped around me. And from the berry and moss scent that surrounded me, I figured that I was being held by Victor.
Seconds later, I was able to sense him as well. He was in a peaceful state of mind, most likely sleeping. There was also a different scent in the air, one that was bugging me. I wanted to place it but couldn't, despite the fact that it seemed so familiar.
Then I heard the soft sounds of voices nearby. As I became more aware, I was able to hear what they were discussing. Plans, meetings, and questions about what to do with an overabundance of obnoxious flowers from someone who apparently had a very large set of balls.
That last comment was courtesy of Gabriel, who was complaining loudly about whatever it was.
I forced my eyes open and saw through the fading light of the room that there were many, many bouquets of flowers, that I did not recognize, scattered throughout. That must have been the scent.
Gabriel was in the process of yelling at someone who I recognized as one of the housekeepers for the room, and Nathan was reclined in a chair as he tossed a hand held ball up in the air and caught it. Meanwhile, Sean stood off to the side, closest to me, and watched at the scene with a displeased expression on his face.
No one noticed that I was awake.
The oddity of our room being turned into a greenhouse was lost on me for the moment, because with awareness, I suddenly remembered everything that had happened before I went to sleep.
Where was everyone else? How much time had passed? What was going to happen to us now?
Instantly, three sets of eyes snapped to me.
Sean reached me first.
"Sweetheart. No. Relax. It's alright." He knelt on the floor in front of me, and Victor shifted awake, sat up and pulled me into his lap. Gabriel shooed the housekeeper away and he and Nathan came over to us as well.
