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"Got it," I murmured, clutching the edges of my mask and trying not to let my nerves get the better of me. I wished I could be invisible like Chess.
But then I’d be a demon, and I wouldn’t have a soul.
Did I evenneeda soul?
Maybe I wouldn’t have one after I killed the Red Queen. I still couldn’t believe I’d agreed to do it, but I was the only one with that power.
It seemed easier than killing the Jabberwocky. After seeing the vision of it that Ransom had shared with me, I never wanted to face it if I didn’t have to.
My wicked boys were right—this was the better plan. Kill the Red Queen and be done with her forever.
As I looked around the transformed casino, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in our plan. The masquerade ball was a masterpiece of deception and seduction, a living, breathing distraction that would hopefully buy us enough time to confront the Red Queen on our own terms.
"Here's hoping this works," Hatter whispered to me as he made his top hat disappear and adjusted his own mask. His mismatched eyes revealed a combination of excitement and apprehension.
"Same," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. But despite the fear that gripped me, I knew one thing for certain—I’d do whatever it took to protect my wicked boys of Wonderland from the Red Queen.
The air crackled again and the doors of The Rabbit Hole flew open with a bang. There she stood...the infamous Red Queen, flanked by her soldiers, clad head to toe in red and black armor.
Hatter stiffened on my left while Callister growled on my left.
Roxanne’s helmet obscured her features, but I could feel the force of her glare through the eye slits. She raised the front to reveal a cruel scowl at the sight of the lavish masquerade ball.
It was the last thing she was expecting to see.
"WHERE IS ALICE?" her voice boomed above the music and laughter, until everything went silent.
Ransom glided forward, a vision of predatory grace in his elegant black and gold mask. “Long time no see, Your Majesty. Whoever are you referring to? You don’t meantheAlice, do you?”
"Do not play games with me, demon!” the Red Queen hissed. "I know Alice is here! Surrender her at once, or I will tear this place apart brick by fucking brick until I find her!"
My heart raced as I watched the exchange, my entire being focused on keeping my presence hidden. I was grateful for the bunny mask that covered my face, allowing me to blend into the crowd of costumed guests.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but if Alice was at my club, I’d be the first to know. Whoever gave you this information was sadly misinformed,” he said with a diplomatic smile. “But since you’ve come all this way, you and your soldiers are more than welcome to join in on the festivities. I’m sure you and your men are tired.”
“Are you calling me old?” she asked through bared teeth.
“Hardly,” Ransom crooned. “You’re a vision of desire. As a matter of fact, I was just reminiscing about you earlier today. You’ve been working so very hard. You deserve to relax. There’s plenty of wine and refreshments to go around.”
He waved over a server carrying a tray of champagne and handed Roxanne a glass.
She refused to take it.
“Do you seriously expect me to believe you?” she sneered, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Believe what you like,” Ransom replied, undeterred as he took a hearty drink from the glass. "But as I said, Alice isn’t here. I do hope you and your soldiers will stay and enjoy the masquerade ball. After all, the more, the merrier.”
“He’s right about that,” Callister murmured as he gave my ass a hard squeeze. It was all I could do to smother my laugh.
Raising his glass of champagne, Ransom signaled for the ball to resume. Within seconds, the music and the chatter and the games picked up right where they’d left off.
With Hatter and Callister by my side, I watched as Roxanne looked around the room. Her gaze lingering on a trio of scantily clad bunnies who were setting up for a live sex performance on the nearby stage.
"Very well," she said with a painted-on smile. "We shall stay...for now. Dinah, where are you? I need a wardrobe change!”
My blood ran cold at the sight of my long-time personal assistant rushing over to help the Red Queen. Dinah used to make me her signature magic blue smoothies every morning. Now she was a stylist to the biggest bitch in Wonderland.
I watched in disbelief as she snapped her fingers and transformed Roxanne’s armor into a stunning crimson gown. Her helmet was replaced by a sinister, bejeweled mask that perfectly matched her menacing aura. Strings of red rubies wrapped around her throat, tumbling over her collarbones like shiny drops of blood.
