The Celebration Game by Candace Robinson

Author:Candace Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gargoyles Books, Shifter Romance Books, Horror Romance Books, Mardi Gras Books, Gargoyle Books
Publisher: Candace Robinson
Published: 2021-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

Bronwyn’s eyes flicked open, and she felt cocooned, claustrophobic, trapped. She wiggled and roared until she lurched forward, ripping free from the shell she’d created and inhabited for that day, matching that of the human she’d eaten.

“Well, that was fun,” she said, her wings beating against her back as she descended to the ground.

“I was so close this year...” Yan sighed from behind, her broad wings tight against her back.

“You always have next year,” Bronwyn responded with a shrug, but inside she was beaming with joy.

When the lights flickered in the escape room, they all knew it was time to shut down their gargoyle side and tap into humanity by using the strength from what they had eaten earlier that day, forgetting what they truly were. It was a dangerous game, because if they had escaped without their humanity being killed, then they may not have ever discovered who they truly were. But it was a fun risk nonetheless.

Bronwyn remembered the terrified feelings she’d had when going through the rooms, and each year after they finished, she relished the rush. That feeling that she could die at any moment, but in the end, she didn’t, because none of it was truly real. After they reawakened, they continued the game to terrify and catch whoever they could. It all began with Simon shifting first, who then picked the room to start in with the team who was the most behind. Which had to have been Aggie and Theo’s because of their frolicking.

“How’s your throat?” Adrian asked, his warm hand skimming across her thick skin, his talons brushing her neck.

“The same as yours was last year.” She reached out and stroked the horns at his forehead, and grinned. “Now for the surprise I have for you downstairs.”

“Oh yeah?” He cocked his head, his expression intrigued.

“Yes, my love. Follow me.”

As the gargoyles descended the stairs, they discussed how the game could be improved the following year. Simon was already making a list—soundproof walls inside the rooms was at the top.

Once Bronwyn hit the last step, she walked to her place at the table and stood behind her silver dish, watching as the gargoyles moved behind theirs. Under each dish rested two organs that they had frozen from their victims. Usually, everyone had a heart and a kidney that they would eat when it struck midnight.

They didn’t do this because they loved it, although they did. Each year on the start of Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, they had only a few days to feast, and they chose the humans because they could shift into that form for the year if need be.

“First,” Bronwyn started, “I want Adrian to dig into the cake and find the gift I brought him.”

“I know. I know.” He chuckled. “They all have a baby Jesus inside.”

“Just do it so we can eat already,” Owen grumbled.

Shaking his head at Owen, Adrian drew the cake closer to him and placed his clawed hand inside. His talons circled, digging around, cake crumbs falling, until his hand stopped, finding what Bronwyn had been waiting for.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.