Page 199 of Unmasked

“Everleigh? The former slave?”

Vaughn paused. “That’s right.”

“I really need to meet her.” I let out a deep breath.

“She helped find you.”

My mouth opened but no words came at first. “Everleigh Whitlock helped in my search?”

“More than helped. Her and Luke, the Main Master from Red Island, were the ones who discovered where you were. They were searching through satellites and cameras. They’re truly an amazing team. I don’t know how long it would have been had I not had them. All I could think was to burn his homes to the ground. I figured you had to be in one of them, and if we met resistance, we’d finally figure it out.”

Emotions hit hard, and I shivered.

“I can’t imagine having to have stayed there longer. I owe them⁠—”

“We owe them. We won’t forget.”

“I should call her.”

“In time.” Vaughn cupped my face. “There is no rush. She knows that. She’ll be there when you’re ready.” He leaned down, his lips brushing mine. “Can I talk you into eating something small, or do you want to jump right into work?”

“What about the mess? I… broke the bathroom mirror. The room is destroyed.”

His lips pulled back to the side. “You wouldn’t be the first. I replaced it when you were at Grove Square. As for the mess, don’t even worry about it. Today, we focus on you. What does Penelope need?”

I stared into hazel eyes, reaching out to grab onto the long sleeve black shirt he now wore. The suit was gone. Maybe he changed for me. I didn’t know. It was a statement that he wasn’t working, but I could if I needed to.

“You’re too good to me.”

“I’m raising the bar. Good is not sufficient. I love you. You will have the best of me, always. That is nonnegotiable.”

Vaughn wiped my tears, leading me to the door.

“Food? Work? What are we doing until the ritual? Or would you like to help prepare?”

I came to a stop at the door. My guards stared straight ahead—a pillar of strength. Of servitude.

“I can help prepare for the ritual?”

“You can do anything you want to do. You are the Queen.”

“Yes…” I wrapped my arm around Vaughn’s, holding to him as I felt myself step back into my purpose. Back into my new life. “I am The Queen of The Order. … The High Mistress. I fought like hell to rule this place. I lost… so much to make it to this point. I am worthy.”

Vaughn slowed, turning to face me. A fire seemed to spark in his eyes as his lids dropped the smallest amount.

“Yes, you are worthy, Penelope. Don’t ever forget that.”

CHAPTER 66

Lawrence

I could barely stay awake from the pain as I was pulled into a dim room surrounded by torches. With as big and grand as it was, I didn’t miss the merge between old days and new. Torches, yet there was a chandelier above, dimmed enough that it was barely noticeable. And although we were surrounded by stone, the mahogany dais and chairs the veiled men stood in front of was trimmed in gold. So was the seating area, which was full of more robed men and others wearing suits. I even recognized a few. It was Lord Summerlyn walking in that had me going from half-dazed to being alert.

“Hey. Hey!” My voice was barely audible from the continuous hours of screaming. Of begging. I pulled at the chains, nearly crashing to my knees through the pain. I felt more blood leave me, but my words were all I was focused on. “Traitor,” I exploded. “I won’t forget this, Lord Summerlyn. I won’t—” My eyes widened. “Lord Oxley?”

My anger was in overload as more lords began to walk in, but the pain of yelling at each one was outweighed by my need to shout. I kept my hatred evident, watching as more men filled the seats.

Elec Wexler.