44

Most of the men here had probably never run afoul of some of these things and wouldn’t recognize the scents. I, however, had dealt closely with the things that walked the night. I scented a gorgon, a chimera, at least one feral shifter, and, if I wasn’t mistaken, a wyvern.

The stories were true. Bloodstone Island really was as dangerous as they said. Even with my training and experience, the sheer number of creatures was enough to douse my guts with cold fear.

“Onward, boys. Mustn’t keep the camera waiting,” Von said as he pushed to the front. “Don’t bother shifting if you’re scared. No need. The island is carefully controlled and monitored for the challenges and tasks. This is one such special occasion. I assure you, everyone is safe. Come, come. Don’t dally.” Von strode ahead of us, completely unconcerned.

Hadn’t he just made a huge deal about how dangerous it was to be away from the mansion at night? He’d made it sound like the showrunners were controlling more than they let on. Despite what my nose and instinct told me, I kept moving, following the fucking vampire deeper into the jungle. The path ended after a hundred yards at a spectator area on the edge of an amphitheater.

There was still no sign of Kira as we took our seats. I looked over my shoulder, trying to see the path we’d come from. Maybe she was being brought behind us for some grand entrance.

Almost as soon as I had the thought, a spectacular flash of fae magic fluttered around us, and with a quiet pop, Kira appeared in the center of the amphitheater. She was no longer wearing the fancy dress but something that resembled her Tranquility ops gear. My blood pressure shot up several notches when I saw the pistol in one hand and what looked like a silver bowie knife in the other. Not good. Not good at all.

After getting her bearings, Kira looked up into the seats and caught my eye. She gave me a hard look that told me exactly what she wanted: for me to stay in my seat and not get involved. I could almost hear the threat of violence if I disobeyed. If anyone else saw us exchanging glances, they didn’t let on. I gripped the armrests and clamped my teeth together, flexing my jaw.

She didn’t want me to interfere lest it make her seem weak. But nothing she said could keep me from jumping in if something crazy was about to happen.

I glanced around the amphitheater. Witches, fae, and cameras surrounded us. Even if I disobeyed her wishes, I’d never be allowed to go to her. I’d be stopped by one magic spell or another before I even made it ten feet. All I could do was hope Kira’s training would help her survive whatever fucked-up scenario the showrunners had cooked up.

Several of the other alphas were leaning forward in their seats, confused and concerned for Kira. Mika, Abel, and Ryan all eyed her warily. Mika was on the edge of his seat. J.D. and Leif had their brows furrowed, looking more baffled than worried. Nathaniel and Omar each had an equally cocky look of amused disinterest. None of them looked worried enough, though. Even the ones with the most concern on their faces looked eager to see Kira prove herself. It irked me. I wanted to knock their heads together.

J.D. leaned toward me. “I hope she finishes this test quick. I’m freaking starving, man. I want to get back to the mansion and hang out a bit, get settled.”

Staying in character, I glanced at him and plastered a remarkably realistic smile on my face. “For real. I could eat a horse right now.”

J.D. grinned and bumped his fist gently on my chest. “My man.”

The guy had the disposition of a giant puppy. Gods only knew why he’d signed up for the show. Someone like him didn’t stand a chance to survive this. Hopefully, he’d get lucky. I didn’t hate him the way I was already starting to hate others, like Nathaniel.

I didn’t dwell long on the man, my gaze intent on Kira and the stage, trying to see what they were about to throw at her. My anxiety increased with each passing second.

As though some member of the show read my mind and heard my request, another flash of magic rippled the air. An instant later, a huge tiger appeared on the stage opposite Kira. Its shoulders were bunched and thickly muscled. Yellow eyes locked on Kira as it opened its jaw, saliva dripping from razor-sharp fangs. A hungry growl rumbled in its throat as it stepped toward her.

Fuck.

Chapter 15

Kira

I felt a little disrespected. An entire island full of the most dangerous paranormal creatures known to the world, and they send a zoo animal after me? A big angry cat would be incredibly difficult for a human woman, but I wasn’t any random woman. The producers were well aware of my background, so surely they realized it.

My frown leveled out as I caught the scent of the new arrival. I stiffened. This wasn’t a normal tiger. Several alpha men who hadn’t caught the scent yet stood, whooping and whistling in encouragement. They yelled and chanted for me to attack the animal.

Except, it wasn’t an animal. It was a tiger shifter. Feral by its scent and behavior.

Several men shouted at me to shift, which meant my little disability hadn’t been revealed yet. Even if I could shift, I was certain the showrunners had cast some spell that would prevent it. I’d have to figure another way out of this. I did not want to kill another shifter on the fly, but dying didn’t sound fun, either.