Page 167 of Unmasked

“She saved your life. Did you see his face? He was going to kill you.”

Theodore made a sound, half full of anger, the other half aggravation.

“Follow them, Theodore.”

He shifted through cameras as he picked up with them racing down the hall. Guards were dropping as they passed halls and made turns. When she jerked in George’s hold, a guard wrapped around her from behind. Penelope twisted, slipping free of his grasp and kicking him in the stomach as he raced for her. The guard flew back and she went for another, but she didn’t make it but a few steps. Electrodes shot into the top of her chest and shoulder, locking up her entire body. Penelope hit the stone floor hard, convulsing through the shock. They weren’t even finished electrocuting her before one was stabbing a syringe into her. It had me slamming the side of my fist into my desk.

Papers flew out, and Theodore’s eyes cut up, full of anger and tears.

“You told me to watch over her and I didn’t.”

I tore at the armor I wore, pulling it off. “She’s the Queen, Theodore. It was her job, and she knew that. I knew that. I should have never put that responsibility on you. This was my fault. She tried to tell me. She knew, and I dismissed her fears. She fucking knew.

Turning, I took in Mr. Prescott who stood silently at my door.

“He’s a dead man.” I took a step towards him. “You know that, right?”

“We need proof.”

“He’s dead. I’ve played The Council’s games for long enough. Lawrence Evans will bleed out before dawn. Mark my words. I’m going to kill him, and not you nor The Sultan nor anyone else is going to stop me. You promised protection, and you failed. Now you will deliver. You have Lawrence Evans brought to me immediately.”

“Unavowed—”

“King Vaughn! There is no more Unavowed. There is me. You better talk to whoever you need to and figure out a story and a transition because it’s happening. Tonight, you all crossed a line by forcing me into the public. The Council did this, and now there’s no going back. This is how you all make it up to me. Now bring Lawrence to me so I can get answers. I want my queen.”

Mr. Prescott swallowed hard, nodding as he pulled out his phone and stepped out of the room. I walked over to my Reeve, easing him to the chair.

“Lord Oxley will be here soon. He better fucking hurry up.”

“Here! I’m here. I’m sorry, I got here as fast as I could.”

His fingers were already pushing around the wounds, checking both sides.

“They went through. We’re good. Let’s get him to his room.”

I motioned to the guards outside the door. “Help take your Reeve to his room so Lord Oxley can treat him.” I looked at Able. “Who is your second?”

His good hand lifted weakly. “Wallace.”

Nodding, I took in the lean, dark-skinned male. “Wallace, get the guard together. I want these exits covered. With those left, have them start collecting the bodies. I want a count on how many we’ve lost.”

“I’m on it, Sire.”

I turned back to Theodore, meeting his hard stare.

“You need to sit down also. You have quite the knot on your head. You surely have a concussion.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“You will have your revenge. Whoever that man is that took Penelope and tried to end your life, he is yours. You have my word.”

Back and forth his head went. “I know what he did to me. Right now I’m worried about what he’ll do to her. If she kills him, I’m fine with that. So long as he’s dead and can’t hurt anyone else. Dammit. I don’t trust him not to hurt her.”

“I think Lawrence would kill him if he did. I think that’s the only positive we have coming out of this.”

Footsteps pounded in the distance, and I stood taller as they got closer. Elec and Bram came into the room and Mr. Prescott followed.

“What do we know?” Bram was texting as he and Elec pointed to the large monitor. I waved at Theodore to start it for them. As the video began to play again, both Bram and Mr. Prescott’s notifications continued to alert. Theo increased the speed in areas and pointed out things at certain moments. I could barely focus on it.