Page 83 of Glutton for Punishment

I check my phone again. No response from Maddox.

“Arwen—” Cleo starts. Dread coils tighter in my stomach with every passing second.

“I’m coming with you,” Cleo says.

I turn mid-button. “No. Absolutely not.”

She crosses her arms. “You were kidnapped, tortured, and almost killed. We just got you back. I’m not letting you walk into a summons from the most powerful man in this faction all alone.”

“You would do it for us,” Tabby cuts in.

Cleo nods once. “Without hesitation.”

I exhale hard.

“Fine,” I point at Tabby. “You stay here. If Maddox comes by, tell him where we are.”

Tabby salutes. “Try not to get murdered in your brand-new power suit from Maddox. It would be tragically romantic, but even Romeo and Juliet got to have a kiss before losing each other.”

“Wonderful pep talk.”

“You’re welcome, my favorite Prude. Good luck.”

Chapter 24

Arwen

Ten minutes later, Cleo and I were weaving through corridors so excessive they stop feeling real.

“This hallway alone could probably feed my neighborhood for a year,” Cleo mutters beside me.

The slums that we drove by outside Plethora pop into my head. I don’t think Cleo grew up in wealth. She probably wasn’t much better off than I was in Wrath.

“Architecture as intimidation.” I mumble back to her. “I think it’s tacky.”

She laughs as the massive double doors of the Grand Hall come into view. Two guards stand outside, expressionless. They say nothing as they open the doors for us.

My pulse spikes as we step inside…

… but the room is empty. No Councilor West. No servants. Just a cavernous hall of polished floors, towering marble pillars, and silence.

We both walk slowly, looking over the space as the doors slam shut behind us.

The sound of heels click through the hall. Steps measured and slow. Cleo and I spin toward the sound as a side door opens.

Amaya steps through, and my heart drops.

Trap, my mind screams.

She’s dressed in ivory silk and diamonds, not a strand of her short red hair out of place, her expression composed in a polished way. Her gaze flicks to Cleo.

“Well,” she says. “How adorable. You brought a friend.”

My stomach drops as I glance at Cleo. She shifts beside me, subtle but ready.

“What is this?” I demand. “Where’s Councilor West?”

Amaya smiles. “Oh, father knows you’re here.”