Page 84 of Unmasked

“You can’t leave her in the hands of the enemy! This is treason! Able!”

But Able didn’t come.

No one came.

That didn’t stop me.

My fists pounded.

I used my body as a weapon.

The walls that were meant to keep criminals and slaves contained now imprisoned a king.

But I wouldn’t stop. I’d find a way out of this cell, and when I did, no one would stand a chance against me.

Not King Lawrence.

Not The Magister.

… Not even The Order.

No one was going to keep me from getting Penelope and bringing her home.

Let them try.

CHAPTER 26

Penelope

Burning.

Fire.

The excruciating pain broke through the darkness, providing flickers of memory that felt like a dream. I flew up gasping, falling to the side at the lightheadedness that made the bed feel as if the mattress was shifting away from me.

A cry left my mouth from the burning, and I managed to sit up, angling my head down to take in the dry blood and burnt skin on my chest. I tugged down the black silk nightgown I was dressed in, not able to stop the pants from turning deeper through my panic.

A… sword.

A sword piercing my crown, going through it as if to show defeat.

My mind raced as I let go and searched the room in alarm.

The king…

He saw…

He knew?

My head flew up at the possible realization.

Vaughn…

He hadn’t been answering his phone. I’d… left Glenbrae, but then… I’d…”

The cry came back through the fire that still existed, and my hand lifted and curled into a fist at my head.

Memories were barely there.