Bonolo helps us set up camp as she explained what had happened. Rent, his guards, and Dante had tracked us as far as they could before she had teleported to their rescue, bringing a plan in the form of volant sweets.
They had argued for at least ten minutes on who should actually use a Valant sweet and get into the cave to save Ben and me until eventually,
Dante won Ching Chong Cha. Rent was still not thrilled that he didn't get to go, and muttered about how he was probably a better flyer.
Once the fire was made, and the camp was settled, Bonolo and I walked a little away from the others to talk.
"I can't thank you enough Bonolo, I don't really know why it is you're helping us. But I'm so glad you are."
Bonolo's beautiful dimpled face warmed into a smile.
"It's my pleasure, Carrie. I am happy you are safe."
I gripped her hand, "this isn't the first
I sat on the edge of my bed, trying hard to focus my mind. While both boys were barely on speaking terms, they were both in firm agreement that they would find a way for me to back out of the tournament. I wasn't optimistic.My mind was still racing, it made no sense, what was the queen gaining with me as a competitor? I had a feeling, a gut feeling, this Tornment would end up being a lot more than just a competition. Something darker, deeper and far more important was going on. And I intended to find out what.
For the next half hour, we were too busy sorting through what's been happening, for Ben to yell at Dante and me for making contact. I knew it would come later though. Right now, both boys were furious at mefor keeping the recent attacks on me a secret.Ben called for a handmaiden, and under his orders she got off every scrap of makeup on my body, revealing dozens of nasty wounds, scrapes, and bruises.
I woke up in the bedroom Ben had offered me the day he put the crest on my palm."Bet you never thought you'd sleep in that bed."My eyes snap to my left, Ben is watching rain patter onto the balcony through the glass window in the french doors.
BEN'S POV!!!!!!"This is ridiculous.""I don't care.""Ben!"
I fell onto my bed, gripping my bleeding side. Goblins. They had attacked the house, and they weren't the first. Someone had leaked my location, all kinds of creatures were attacking throughout the week, trying to recapture the "Future Valderian Queen."Rent had called, he still hadn't gotten a confession from his guards. The mole on our team was still unknown.
The alpha gave me the prophecy, but I knew the others were waiting. So I stuffed it into my pocket, and stumbled out to the car, knowing my face was as white as a sheet. Everyone bustled, saying goodbye, and getting into the right cars. I came face to face with Rent, and immediately my eyes welled with tears."Oh Carrie," he breathed fondly, pulling me warmly into his arms, "