Page 465 of Coal Hearts

My heart spasmed with the sharpest pain.

I’d never been spoken to that way before.

Scolded that harshly.

Never had my entire soul tuck tail and hide, desperate to run far away from such violence.

Victor chuckled. “You better go rest up, Henri, before you butcher your favourite, hmm? I know what it’s like when your temper is on the edge.” Stepping aside from the marble stairs, Victor waved his arm for us to pass. “Tell Dr Belford to treat you first. You wouldn’t want to die from sepsis. She can then tend to Peter with my blessing.” Looking at us behind Henri, he purred, “Rachel, Mollie, return to the jewel quarters and shower off that paint. Report to me so I can count your bruises.”

Stopping me with a hand on my shoulder as I followed Henri toward the bottom step, Victor grinned. “And as for you...”

I forced myself not to squirm as he dragged me close. Too close. “It looks like you got most of the bullets because your Master is finally seeing the errors of your ways.” He chuckled as his horrible blue eyes skimmed down my hurting body. “You definitely didn’t hold back, Henri.” He clucked his tongue. “I’m impressed.”

Henri growled under his breath. “She deserved it.”

I fought the very real, very awful urge to sob.

Victor let me go with another laugh. “I suggest you rest before you discipline her any further. I would hate to tell you off for going too far.”

“Understood.”

“What are you two still doing here?” Victor barked, looking at Rachel and Mollie.

With a flinch, they shot me a look, then dashed to the left and the corridor leading to the jewel stables.

The corridor swallowed them whole.

I longed to go with them.

The thought of staying in Henri’s company after he yelled...

God, I felt like a naughty child about to be spanked.

“See you later, Mercer.” With a quick salute, Victor strolled toward the games room.

“Night.” Giving me a guarded look, Henri snapped, “Come on.”

He started a weary, slow climb up the stairs.

And I had no choice but to follow him.

Chapter Ten

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Henri

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EVERYTHING FUCKING HURT.

My arms.

My toes.

My soul.

I’d struggled to stay sane the entire walk back to the castle. Carrying Peter had drained the rest of my nonexistent reserves, and having Ily, Mollie, and Rachel stare at my back as I led them home drove me closer and closer to the bottomless black pit in my mind.