Olive left her post and walked toward the wall on her left. She placed her right hand against it. Three beeps sounded, short and quick like Morse code.

Luna dug the fingers of her free hand into the seat cushion. She didn’t blink, didn’t breathe, and had to press her lips together to contain the excitement threatening to shout its way out of her as a panel in the wall next to Olive’s hand slid upward. She removed a stack of flat, rectangular objects from the hidden compartment. One side had been bedazzled with crystals.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Luna’s brain accelerated into a repetitive overdrive.

Olive handed the shimmering blue one to Jewel, who continued, “The only thing I want in exchange for my more-than-gracious hospitality is for you to participate in a game that will last the duration of the weekend.”

“What kind of game?” Nicole’s question snapped with surprising anger.

Jewel continued to remain wickedly calm. “The kind of game that lets the winners walk out of here one million dollars richer.”

Luna felt like someone had kicked her to the ground and she’d landed straight on her back, clean knocking the wind out of her.

“A million dollars.” Harlow had locked Jewel in her sights, voice firm and ready to believe. “Are you serious?”

“I’m very rich. Trust me, I’m good for it,” Jewel deadpanned. “There will be two winners. Five hundred thousand dollars each, payable immediately.”

THE CRUELEST JEWEL

“I think I’m having a stroke,” Luna whispered. Alex immediately touched her back, but he wasn’t doing much better, looking as shocked as she felt.

“Be Fast.” Stella laughed. “And here I was just hoping I’d be able to get drunk for the first time. Five hundred thousand dollars. Wow. Color me impressed.”

“This is a sober house,” Jewel said. “Yes, I know it’s connected to a winery. Still a sober house.”

“Well, there goes my inaugural wild child weekend. I’d like to go home now, please and thank you,” Stella said. “I’m kidding. I know, I know, leaving is against the rules. Harlow, fix your face.”

Jewel laughed, glancing at Olive. “See what I mean?” she asked before turning back to the room. “Let’s get down to business, shall we? Rule Number Three: Lose the tablet, lose the game,” Jewel said. “Same will be true if it’s damaged in any way. You must also keep it on your person at all times.”

Olive walked around the room, passing them out one at a time along with an adjustable belt. Luna received hers last—pale green. Alex had gotten pink. She ran her fingers along the edges of the tablet and over the glittering crystals. Nothing special about it, other than the added loops to connect the belt. And yet, they were a big-enough deal to have an entire rule to ensure their safety.

Interesting.