His Sick Game

HAZEL -

My lips set into a grim line as the women lead me through the corridors.

As soon as we arrive at the foyer stairwells, I spot Grigori in a black suit and a tie standing a few paces away next to Duffield the chauffeur, and Arielle.

From a fancy box, Grigori holds out a cigar towards Duffield who examines and briefly sniffs it before handing it back.

Arielle is tugging at Duffield's watch from his wrist, her red Shirley temple curls bouncing in the process. When suddenly she bites his hand and he yelps, snatching his hand away.

She giggles at his reaction, hopping up and down before her eyes land on me descending the steps. She screams happily. "Princess Jasmiiiiiine!!" And then darts forward, I can only do one thing but smile and hold out my arms towards her. She jumps into my embrace and nearly tugs off my hijab in the process.

"Quit hollering so much, child," Bev comments as she walks past Grigori. "You'll cause us to go deaf."

"Shut up Bev!" snaps the redhead in my arms.

"Ar