Prahmn’s eyes widened. He has three living sons. I had one. The beast knows what a loss this is for me. He bites his lip.“Well, you’ve takenmyson. Lord Mark stands over there, not even thinking to defend his father. He’s in league with you. Guess we’re even.”
“Even?” I take my cane and hit the lock button. The bottom falls away, and a shiny rapier is exposed. “What makes you think we are even? When you stand here breathing.”
My blade shimmers in the lights.
There are gasps. And cheers.
I draw the rapier to Prahmn. Only a few more steps and a solid thrust will separate him from the earth. “You’re not in the cold ground, hidden under a lifeless marble stone. That is when we are even.”
My deputized servers spread out around the center, keeping the crowds back. Nothing can stop me from permanently ending this threat.
Fans flutter. Ashbrook has his out, covering his legal spectacles.
“No. Jahleel.” Katherine moves toward me. “Stop.”
“All this for a liar, Torrance.”
My restraint dies. I take those steps and hold my rapier to the fat gullet on Prahmn’s throat.
“Jahleel.” Katherine’s voice wavers. “No. Think of Lydia.”
But others speak up. “She did vanish for a time, returning pregnant, didn’t she?”
These words have polished, smooth syllables. Others repeat the lies of Lydia’s paternity with accented voices.
A glass drops, shattering like a bell.
My hand shakes, but my rapier’s point presses Prahmn’s Adam’s apple.
“Jahleel, put the weapon down.” Katherine’s voice sounds distant. “Don’t do this for me. I’m not worth this.”
Prahmn tries to back away. “No scheming jezebel need fight for me.”
“Apologize to my wife, Prahmn. Don’t force me to prove how far I will go to defend my family.”
I step forward. The sharp tip again lodges against his skin. “I wouldn’t move. My hand trembles upon occasion. Hate to run you through accidentally as you voice an apology.”
My words draw laughter. I use this noise to whisper, “Every fear of my blood that you used to make men reject my family will come true. I’ll be that villain. I’ll hunt from the shadow to consume you. I know where you go. I know where you sleep. I’ll end you here or another place without witnesses.”
Prahmn’s sneer drops away. “You bluff, Torrance. You have a daughter to raise. She’s standing right there. You’ll not rot in prison for murder.”
It guts me that Lydia must see my worst, but I promised her Papen’ka would stop evil men. “Haven’t you heard, Prahmn?” I say, in a tone as menacing as the dark parts of my soul. “No one knows how long I have to live. It means nothing to kill you and die in peace.”
“Jahleel, what are you saying to him?” Katherine steps closer. She tries to put her palm on my shoulder. From the corner of my eye, I see my mother, Georgina, and Scarlett grab my daughter and take her toward the door.
“Wait, family. Lady Lydia needs to hear Prahmn apologize.” My voice booms.
A trickle of blood spills onto my villain’s snow-white cravat.
His face changes, sobers. He realizes I will kill for them. “I apologize. Lady Lydia. Lady Hampton. I apologize.”
I lower my rapier just enough to free the beast and restore my humanity.
Grabbing his throat, Prahmn backs up. I toss him a handkerchief. “Lidochka, you’ll leave with your aunts and the princess. Now.”
“Handle your business, Jasha,” my mother says, “for both Andrews.”
I hear footsteps, but they’re not leaving. They sound as if they’re coming in my direction. Lydia hugs my legs, then runs back to the door.
