Page 83 of Unmasked

My voice was so deep. So raw and nearly gone. I beat my fist harder into the wood, seeing red cover my hands. Pain sliced through my throat with every word, but I didn’t care.

I had to get to Penelope. I had to save her from that monster that murdered my child.

Blood.

Yes.

I wouldn’t be the only one bleeding.

They’d bleed too.

They’d all die.

They’d all…

They’d—

Banging sounded.

Footsteps.

“Hey!”

I scrambled to my feet, and the small window in the door slid back revealing a black veil.

“You.” I glared at the Magister. “Let me out of here right now.”

“I will not.”

“You will unlock this door! You heard Lord Summerlyn. Penelope has lost my child. The king has done something to her. He’s given her poison. She is sick, and she could be dying. The Reeve and Mark are dead. Murdered. Open this door, or you’ll be joining them.”

The Magister took a step back.

“You will be released when your sanity returns. To go to Scotland and retrieve your Intended puts The Order at risk. It puts you at risk. We cannot afford that. When we come up with a plan, or they reach out to negotiate, we will come back here to discuss the terms.”

My lips parted. “Discuss the terms?” I couldn’t speak through the disgusted shock. “King Lawrence has my Intended. She is unresponsive and has miscarried my child. There are no discussing terms. You will open this door or the moment I get out I will kill you. Do you understand? Open the door.”

Seconds passed.

“I see you’re still not ready.”

My head shook. “Don’t you fucking dare leave me here again. Get Able.”

“I will not. He may serve you, but I am reason amid instability. That is my purpose, just as I have explained to him. He should not feel guilt for saving your life, and I have told him that.”

“Does he know about my child? About what they’ve done to Penelope? I bet you he doesn’t know, because you didn’t give me the chance to tell him.”

“I will be back later when you’ve thought more on your responsibilities.”

“She is my responsibility! She is yours!”

He took another step back.

“Don’t you⁠—”

The window closed off, and I slammed my fist into the wood.

Footsteps sounded, growing further away.