Page 42 of Unmasked

I barely recognized the strong woman before me.

Crying.

Shaking.

Trembling.

For hours, I questioned her. And for hours, I broke her apart, piece by piece. Vaughn didn’t interrupt, nor did he do anything to distract my focus. He stayed in the background, watching me with fascination.

The Reeve came and went on occasion, whispering something to Vaughn, only to leave. At one point, they switched places and Vaughn disappeared. I barely noticed with how determined I was to make Katia pay.

I hadn’t lied when I told her I knew everything about her. On paper, I did. How much aside from the facts were true, I didn’t know.

She was part of the Jane Doe Foundation out of America. She was employed by the FBI there, where she also worked for the SLB here. She was a double agent and received her orders from a board of retired agents who picked the cases but stayed anonymous. Supposedly, that is where she’d gotten assigned to Vaughn, but she didn’t know by who.

I wasn’t sure I believed her, but I had moved on, battling the sickness that wouldn’t stay away. It was distracting, but I refused to stop.

Marian had trained with the Jane Doe Foundation before her mother pulled her out. She didn’t think Marian was strong enough to withstand the grueling training. With how much of a fight Katia was still trying to give me, I believed her.

Katia hadn’t broken completely. Every answer was a struggle. Every piece of information was a puzzle. But I’d come far throughout my time with her.

The woman could barely stay upright in a sitting position. She kept swaying, and her swollen eyes were barely open.

As much as I wanted to admit I was thriving in her torture, I was barely holding on myself. The nausea was returning, and I hadn’t eaten lunch or supper. It was late. Well past that.

I blinked through the sudden sway, managing to not stumble or even step.

“I will be back. Don’t get comfortable.”

Katia fell over to the floor, groaning and curling her head down to her chest. I turned my attention to Vaughn as he stepped forward, placing his hand at my lower back. As he led me out of the room and locked the door behind us, I had to reach to the wall for support. I quickly let go as he turned back to me.

“You’re pale.”

“I’m still recovering.”

“I thought you were better.”

I kept my pace slower than usual, more focused on keeping one foot in front of the other. We left the cells, weaving through the halls. By the time I made it to the Great Hall, I was sweating and slightly out of breath.

Sleep.

Yes. I needed to sleep.

“Sit.”

Vaughn led me to our table, and I didn’t argue.

“You’re going to eat. I’m going to bathe you. And then you’re going to see Lord Oxley. If you think to argue⁠—”

I didn’t. All I could do was nod as he headed over, telling a slave my order. I tried to sit up straight, to appear the queen, but I found myself lowering, crossing my arms over the table to lay my head down.

“I should have stopped you hours ago.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

I yawned, opening my eyes, and catching a glimpse of Vaughn before darkness called me in again. What felt like only a few seconds passed when Vaughn was easing me up and placing food before me. The smell had my eyes flying open.

I jerked my head from the left and then the right, panicked as I slapped my hand over my mouth.