Page 141 of Uncrowned

Opening my lids, I watched Vaughn’s stare lift from the brand.

“You are one with The Order. Seal your oath in blood.”

Confused, I looked down at the dagger the Magister held out to me. I grabbed it, turning as he motioned to the brunette that was secured to the stake. Tears were stained down her face, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

I knew that pain. I knew what it was to be trapped and under the power of someone else.

I closed the distance between us, gripping tighter to the dagger.

“Loyalty above life.”

The vow left me as a whisper. I let the words burrow deeper into who I was becoming. I met the woman’s light brown stare, lifting the blade and leveling it at her throat. Screams filled my ears—not hers—but mine. They were internal, full of anger, pain, and longing for something I didn’t even know. I put my weight forward, jerking the blade as warm blood began to pour and splash over my bare feet.

“Penelope. …Intended.”

I turned to face Vaughn, feeling the fogginess of shock begin to sink in. The room spun as my heart raced. I almost felt like I was going to be sick. I refused to let it show.

Vaughn’s hand twitched at his side, like he was going to step forward but stopped himself.

“You did well. Welcome to The Order... Intended.”

CHAPTER 48

Vaughn

“Ouch. Are you trying to hurt me worse? It’s clean. Let me pat it dry and put the damn bandage on.”

Penelope’s hand went to take the gauze I held, stopping halfway at my look. I reached back up, patting the water from the upside-down crown.

“The only reason you’re doing this is to be close to…” her hand waved to her bare breasts, “those.”

“Maybe it is. Maybe you should stop provoking me.”

I leaned the few inches, biting gently against her nipple and tugging back. Penelope gasped, her eyes wide as she froze. She shifted on her feet. “I did not say you could do that.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Will you hurry and put the gauze on so I can get dressed and go to bed? Unless you’ve changed your mind and are willing to take me to Marian.”

My head shook, and her face dropped.

“Vaughn… it is not safe for her out there. We both know that.”

“Nor do I want it to be. Marian will face the full wrath of The Order. Her blessing is that she won’t be here long.”

“You’re letting her go?”

Hope had Penelope’s eyes rounding through the emotion.

“Marian’s entire family is dead. Her mother was not a good person.”

“Dead? Oh my God. Marian… told me stories about her mother. She was evil.”

“Yes, she was, and she hurt a lot of my Masters. … She even got to me.”

“Got to you?” Penelope’s tone deepened with anger. “What do you mean, she got to you? She hurt you? Lied about you? What did she do?”

I felt myself soften inside at her growing rage.