AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Again, it’s a delicate balance. If I make it sound too easy, I suspect she’ll punish Aika for being careless. If it’s impossible, she’ll suspect Aika of betrayal.
“So you came here for revenge?” She gives me a condescending smile, and Aika’s eyes burn with an emotion I can’t afford to decipher.
“On the contrary,” I respond, gathering every ounce of reckless bravery I have ever possessed. “I came here to offer my services.”
As potentially stupid as coming down here to begin with was, this is the most dangerous part of my plan. The biggest gamble. The only possible way that Aika and I both walk out of here alive and relatively unscathed.
Aika’s lips part, and even Madame shows signs of surprise in her ethereal features.
Damian outright scoffs. If I hadn’t already despised the very air the man breathes, I surely would by now.
Then Madame narrows her eyes. “I’ll admit your brother was easy enough to fool, but surely even the monarchy isn’t stupid enough to come in here and try to trick me.”
If I hadn’t spent half the ride here preparing myself for her to throw Louis’ death in my face, I might have blown everything with those words. As it is, I let the anger I’m feeling flash through my eyes because she will know I’m lying if I don’t.
“My brother wasn’t stupid,” I say quietly.
“Perhaps not,” she allows. “Perhaps he was only made that way because he was distracted by love.”
Her gaze flits between Aika and me, a calculating expression overtaking her face. A light laugh escapes her, all the more chilling for how melodic it sounds.
“A trait which apparently runs in the family. How very unfortunate for you,” she mocks. “But you’re in luck. I am inclined to reward cunning and boldness, so I’ll give you the chance to prove you’re telling the truth.”
I don’t need to see the blood drain from Aika’s face to know whatever means Madame will use to verify my story will make me feel anything but lucky. But I had expected this also.
Maybe I haven’t been trained to withstand torture the way that Aika has, but I’ll be damned if I stand by and let her accept every bit of the punishment for a game we’re all playing.
So I square my jaw and lift my chin, looking the despicable woman in the eyes when I respond.
“I look forward to it.”
CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO
AIKA
Over the last few minutes, the shock I was feeling has given way to a low, simmering anger.
After everything I have done to keep him away from her, to keep him out of this exact circumstance, he has sauntered into her den of horrors and offered himself to her on a silver platter.
For me.
Idiot.
I’m thinking seriously about whether I will murder Remy in the very unlikely event that we ever leave this crypt when he speaks up again.
“Unfortunately, your more intense examination will have to wait. I’m afraid I’m expected back at the palace, along with my wife here.” He pauses to glance at her gilded clock. “In just under an hour.”
I want to knock the smarmy look off of his face. Doesn’t he know what she can do to him in twenty minutes?
But I begrudgingly have to admit it isn’t the worst plan, because Madame knows that isn’t enough time to thoroughly break someone under questioning. If she asks me to torture him, though, that will be it for both of us.
I’m not sure there is any part of me that could willingly inflict that kind of pain on him, even to save both of our lives.
Madame finally loosens her hold on me, allowing me to stand. She raises an eyebrow at him, but I can tell she is somewhat impressed. He’s basically told her that he has a system in place, a failsafe if he doesn’t come back.
It’s a threat, but subtle enough that she can withstand it for a means to an end. For now, anyway.
“Fetch the serum, Aika,” she orders me.
