Page 63 of Uncrowned

“Do you at least know if she—would she… come here?”

“I don’t know.”

My lips pursed. “How long have you been here?”

“You are relentless. I know what you’re trying to do.”

“What?” I shrugged. “You won’t tell me. You can’t be upset that I’m trying to figure out who the man is who says he’s keeping me whether I want it or not. I think I deserve to know what I’m getting forced into.”

“And you will know when he tells you himself.” He paused. “It is odd he hasn’t told you. Have you asked him?”

“A few times. He says he’ll tell me more when he’s ready. Ready for what, I don’t know. I mean… I’m here. He’s not crazy like I thought. There’s clearly another world to our own just like he said. And bad people I need to be cautious of…” I gestured to Redmond, who rolled his eyes. “I hate waiting. I guess he’ll just tell me when he’s ready.”

“He will.”

A knock at the door had Redmond standing. I placed down the book, half expecting my food. I was starving. What I saw instead had me standing.

“High Master, I’m afraid we have a problem.”

A man in a navy uniform was at the door with what appeared to be two others. He had white upside-down crowns embroidered on the tips of his collar. He had brown hair and appeared to be in his forties. He was taller than the other guards, but not by much.

“What sort of problem?”

“It’s the heir.”

“What heir?” Redmond snapped, only to groan. “Of House Hamilton.”

“That’s the one.”

“I swear, I may end up killing that kid before it’s over with. What did he do this time?”

“It’s what he won’t do, High Master. I’m afraid you’re going to have to come talk him down. If he kills another of my guards⁠—”

Redmond’s hand lifted. “Alright.” He turned to me. “Your food will be here soon. Stay.” He pointed to someone. “Keep post at the door. Her food is on the way. She’s not to leave.”

Who he was talking to, I had no idea. I couldn’t see. He shut the door so fast, I couldn’t even tell what direction they were headed.

I let out a heavy breath, placing the book down and grabbing the throw blanket to wrap around my shoulders. It was so cold being surrounded by stone. The constant chill kept me shaking. I didn’t like it, and I was over wearing the white slip dress. It did nothing for warmth or concealment. And I needed that. Especially down here. Especially if I… could pull this off.

Heading for the desk, I kept my pace fast. I picked up the phone that was sitting on the desk, bringing it to my ear. It was an old landline, but there was no dial tone. I hit numbers, frowning when nothing happened.

“Come on.” I hung up the phone, pulling open the top drawer. Contents slid forward. Some pens. Paperclips. I quickly pulled open the next. And then the top one of the other side. Papers. Junk. Nothing.

I spun, scanning the desk even more. I grabbed the gold letter opener, gripping to it tightly. It was shaped like a small knife, not too sharp, but sharp enough to do damage if I swung hard enough.

A small thin drawer sat at the top. As I went to reach for it, a loud, echoing bang had me jumping. Knocking quickly followed and I put distance between me and the desk. The door opened and a girl in the exact same dress as I wore pushed in a cart. She had to have been younger than me, but not by much. She had dark hair as well, but shorter. Where my skin was pale, hers was naturally tanned. Her brown eyes quickly diverted as I took a step forward.

“Hi. I’m Penelope.”

She braved looking up as she grabbed a plate off the cart.

“Do you have a name?”

“No.”

“You don’t have a name?”

“Slave.”