Page 106 of The Bonding Games: Part 2

The moment Alby reaches her, Ezla crouches down, and she reaches for the sinthine encasing Aider’s junk. I know exactly what’s about to happen.

The dickhead’s useless begging grows more vigorous, as frenzied as it can be when he’s in such a state, but my Bonded pays no mind to it, and I keep him as still as possible for her as the dagger she’s manifested in an inky-crimson luminance moves towards his groin.

Leaning in, she whispers something in his ear. It’s too low to make out, but the impact of the words has the piece of shit in my grip swaying.

Then she pulls back.

Lethally sharp tip finding the place just before the sinthe becomes sinthine, Ezla slices her dagger slowly through.

The sound that leaves Aider isn’t human.

Ezla takes her time until she can see how fast he’s fading, and then she slashes downwards quickly, tossing the severed dick she collects over her shoulder, where it smacks into the Exot in Tate’s arms. Screaming an ear-splitting scream, Player 84’s eyes roll back in his head as he passes out.

Scowling, my brother drops him in disgust, and he hits the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Quickly, Alby. Take your revenge.” Ezla rises and pushes him closer to Aider with a hand on his lower back.

Clenching his fists around the batons in them, Alby doesn’t hesitate.

He doesn’t use any technique, just lets out a spine-chilling war cry and starts slashing and stabbing at every part he can of the man who’s bullied him for years. Ezla watches him with pride, but there’s also an intensity there that I know means she’s observing him closely, as if ensuring he doesn’t lose himself.

And as he keeps stabbing and stabbing and swinging and then sobbing, I know he almost has. Or maybe already has, because I’m quite certain the body I’m holding up no longer contains an ounce of life. Then I’m completely sure in the next second as that feminine robotic voice sounds out:

“Player 22: Eliminated.”

“Come here, my shy boy.” Ezla slots her armoury stick back on her shoulder blade and steps up to him, catching his arcing arm by the wrist before it can drive his dagger home again.

Wild-eyed, pale face splattered with blood, his head snaps her way. His other arm halts on its own when he processes who stands before him. “E-Ezla,” he rasps out.

Humming, she yanks him into her and wraps her arms around him. You did so well, she praises as I drop the dead weight from my hold, demanifesting my Avri but keeping my armoury stick in my hand at the ready.

Gasping, Alby quickly wraps his arms around her in return, clinging on tight. I did . . . ?

Yes. I am proud.

He flushes, pleasure trickling from him and through to her.

But then Ezla says, But you will not do that again. That is not for you to do. You are not that person.

Swallowing, he nods against her shoulder. I know . . . I . . . I don’t regret killing him, though . . .

A gloved hand strokes over his hair, and his lashes flutter. I am aware, she replies. But he is an exception, and his kill was yours to claim how you saw fit. You will never feel like that again. You will never feel the need to end someone like that again.

But the Game Master . . .

Is not yours to kill, Ezla cuts him off, and there’s a mix of disappointment, confusion, and also a little hurt in him in response. Do not be upset, Alby. You will still be there when the time comes, but I can feel how unbalanced this has made you. I know that, despite feeling relieved and glad of the way you have ended Aider, you do not feel like yourself. You are questioning who you are. Feeling tainted. I will not allow you to feel like this again.

Relaxing, the tumult of emotions within him subsides. Yes, Ezla . . . Thank you . . . thank you for always taking care of me.

She stills, and Alby stiffens in response, a bolt of panic returning. Ezla muses, Is that what I have been doing?

It’s eerily silent, and I can’t take it for too long. Deciding to fill it, my tone is cautious as I answer, Yes, Love . . .

“Fifteen minutes remaining.”

I go rigid all over.

“Oh fuck. Oh fuck, we’re all gonna die—”