Page 68 of The Devil of Hollywood

She raced forward while we started following. The guards pushed against my back, but I stayed at The Unavowed’s side on my own. I had to get closer to Marian. I was afraid of what this man planned. He was crazy. He wasn’t stable.

“This will be no easy game, but it should go quickly if your wife can follow orders. There’s hope. She appears to be a fast learner. I have to say, after everything I know of her, I expected more of a fight. There’s balance. You’re lucky.”

“Balance?”

He glanced over to me but went back to watching Penelope break through the ring of guards. The moment she got close, their arms lifted, shooting up. My brow drew in, and it was clear none were risking even touching her.

“You’ll see. Her fight—I have a suspicion it’s… waiting. Let’s not let it fester. We’ll mold it. Craft it. Outlets are important.” The Unavowed pointed to Elec, and the guards immediately began to push him over to us. “You’re part of the Gardens. You were just accepted.”

“Yes.”

He looked over to me as Elec approached.

“Why? Why do you want to be there?”

There was silence as I took in Penny, throwing her arms around Marian. Penny was sobbing, but Marian was still so far away. I could see the tears, but she wasn’t breaking down like I knew she should have been.

“I have anger. A lot of it.”

“Because of her? Because her accusation cost you your title as heir?”

My jaw clenched repeatedly. “It’s so much more than that. My title. Our love. Time. Everything’s been taken from me. Every decision, every hope. Every fucking dream. It’s the story of my goddamn life, so unfortunately, the need to hurt someone isn’t new. It’s been there since I was a boy.”

The Unavowed nodded, his face morphing to different emotions as he watched Penny. He finally glanced to Elec.

“Main Master Elec, I’m curious on your take. You live this life. You’re a trained professional in this sort of thing.”

“I’m a psychologist on top of a Main Master, yes.” Elec’s voice held a slight boredom. He almost held that monotone pitch he’d had with Marian.

“Who would you say is more suited for The Garden of the Gods. Is it our dear Mr. Pennington with all his closeted rage and sadism or… his fragile, little wife?”

Elec laughed, and I saw something pass between them.

“Marian is far from fragile. She’s no different than a grenade. She’s only going through the motions because the pin remains. She’s experiencing unfamiliarity and shock. To her, it’s black and white and she’s lost. The… color and screams should bring her back. Once her true self breaks through, we’ll see that explosion that’s waiting to go off.” Elec peered over to him. “That’s what you intend to do, correct? You’re letting her have her revenge?”

“Without getting a little of my own?” He laughed, bringing his attention back to me. For seconds, he didn’t speak. “Black and white is boring. Letting her have her revenge is easy. She deserves it. She has suffered far worse than any of us. What I have in store…” His eyes met mine. “This will hurt you more than her. I happen to like her. I don’t necessarily like you. Not yet.”

Marian

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Marian, forgive me. I knew he’d come.” Penny sobbed. “I tried to warn you all. He was never giving up. He—He’s h-hurt you. I’m sorry.”

Harder she cried, but all I could do was let her hold onto me as I stared forward in a daze.

“I’m going to make this up to you. Once I—When I—I will. I’ll make this up to you.”

“I want to leave.”

The words mumbled through. No matter how much I tried to focus, I couldn’t with David and Simon not feet away. And I saw more guards. Guards who had raped me. They were everywhere. They were glaring and watching. Waiting. I was afraid to move. Afraid to speak or even look at Penny. The top half of my body was so heavy. All I wanted to do was lower to the floor. To take my position—to cower—to just… disappear. I wanted to be away from here. I could barely think. I could barely hold myself together.

“Marian.”

Penny pulled back as her small hands leveled at my cheeks. She didn’t make contact. She was studying me too hard, and she seemed to know not to touch me. I could barely contain the need to scream or fight as she’d been wrapped around me. Had I not been so far away, maybe I would have.

“Marian? Please. I know this is… hard for you. I know—Just obey. Listen and obey. If you fight anything asked of you, it’ll only be worse. Take orders and get out of here. That’s the only way you’re leaving. Marian… Marian?” Her hands connected hard to my face as she held on, snapping me from the scowls I kept anxiously scanning. “If you want to leave, listen. Obey. Nod.”

I blinked through the words, swallowing hard as my head went up and down.

“Someday, we’ll see each other again. I’ll miss you every second until that day. You helped me. You made me happy, and I love you.”