Page 41 of Unmasked

Penelope circled around, for the first time meeting my eyes. My lips pulled back in approval, and she stopped behind Katia, leaning forward. Her words were barely audible.

All I could do was stare in awe. This wasn’t something Penelope was having to force. She owned her role. She was the queen.

“I never underestimated you. You, on the other hand… had no idea who stared back at you. It was never me who was weak, it was you.”

A sob left Katia, only for it to turn into a loud yell. She jerked at the cuffs, fighting against them.

Penelope circled back, taking her time.

“Who assigned you to Vaughn?”

“Fuck you.”

Katia spit, sending blood splattering at Penelope’s feet.

Click.

The seconds dragged out as Penelope pushed the wand into Katia’s shoulder.

Broken up sounds mixed with a scream, and Penelope released the trigger. She stood still as Katia tried scraping in air through the sobs.

“Who assigned you to Vaughn?”

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Penelope’s arm barely moved, and Katia’s hand lifted.

“Fuck—”

Click.

“Ahhhh!”

“I—I don’t⁠—”

Click.

Seconds passed before she let go of the trigger.

Soul wrenching sobs left her as Penelope waited.

“I….no one assigned⁠—.”

Penelope lifted her arm, but Katia jerked back, screaming.

“Natalia Bianchi was my cousin, and you killed her!” Her glare cut up to me. “My mother married for love, well below her title, but I am no peasant. Kill me like you killed her. I don’t care. But know that I know what you’ve done. I know who you are! You’re a monster. They said she loved you, and you allowed her to die in those trials. And Penelope will die too. She will die!

I bit down hard, flexing my jaw with the need to react through the stunned surprise. Penelope didn’t pause. The wand came back, and she slammed it across Katia’s face again, sending the woman crashing to the ground.

“You think I’d let you lie to my king? Do you think me so unprepared? A queen knows everything about her enemies. Your father is a Marchase. … not your mother. You have no relation to Natalia Bianchi, and to claim so is disgusting and low. Even for you.” Penelope paused as green eyes turned round through her fear. “I know everything about you, Katia. Let’s try this again.”

Click.

CHAPTER 12

Penelope