A Game of Love and Betrayal

Chapter 1

"What do you want now? I completed my last mission just yesterday."

"You do know that you are too good at your work plus you have a pretty face. So I got a special job for you this time."

"You are too old now to be playing around with words. I don't even know why I'm so casual with the man who made me commit the first murder of my life."

"Seeing you back then was just amusing. Not a lot of 7-year-old kids are that calm after their first kill."

"I know I'm amazing. Tell me about the job. "

"Tomorrow at 4 AM at the gang's helipad. Be there and cooperate with what you are told. I would suggest you don't talk or get involved with the people you will be boarding with. I can't disclose further information."

"It's boring if you are being that secretive. If it requires me to travel somewhere far and spend a few days then the money amount must be good. I'm in."

Time skip.

Skylar leaned back on one of the comfortable large chairs arranged around a circular white marble table. She bit on a chocolate chip muffin while observing the strangers in the room sitting in the chairs around her. The room that they were seated in was modernly furnished as a meeting room, completely painted in beige, with a wall on one side made completely of glass overlooking the sea outside. There were 5 people in total, most of them helping themselves to snacks and not bothering to socialize. She had never been the type to initiate a conversation so she just gazed out of the window at the calming sea waves and at the pretty gradient of red and pink in the evening sky.

That was until a man entered the room with a bright smile on his face. He looked like he is in his early 30s. Tall, dark brown eyes, not-so-bad smile. He looked handsome enough but she couldn't care less about it at the moment. He spread out his arms gesturing a grand welcome and started to speak, as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Welcome to the training game this year held by the 'Crimson Arcane.'" he smiled warmly as deep dimples formed on his cheek and his thick British accent flowed throughout the room, "The first test for you 5 will take place on this tropical island and I'm in charge of supervising y'all throughout your stay here."

"Get to the main part. We all know it's just a cruel game to see who survives," one of the boys in the room spoke. He sat with a cold gaze, his tatted arms crossed over his broad chest. His all-black outfit, pupils a color darker than ruby but just as luminescent and glinting with mischieve, and a silver lip ring on a side of his bottom lip radiating an intimidating vibe.

"I was told that it's a mission though. And I would be paid. That's all?"

"Ah Skylar, actually you are a potential candidate for the exam so your supervisor lied to you so you participate. This is an exam that the gang holds every year for competent members to train them. The amount of money will be luscious if you can pass and of course, that includes rising up the ranks too."

"I'm not interested. It's a hassle. What if I refuse to participate?"

"We will just have to kill you. So it's better to give it try, right?" Zion smiled at her as she rolled her eyes and cursed under her breath. "The exam is simple really. You all spend some time on the deserted island, collect points, and complete tasks. The points that you earn will each be converted into a million dollars at the end. But of course, you can choose high ranks within the gang in exchange for a certain amount too, or basically, any of your realistic wishes can be granted."

"Sounds sweet. But to what extent will our wishes be fulfilled?" a boy with dark blonde hair and icy blue eyes asked with a smirk on his face.

"May I ask you to elaborate on that question, Landon?"