Page 98 of Secrets of the Six

"Last warning," Rogelio growls, taking a tentative step forward, rapier pointed in warning. "Take. Off. Your. Mask."

Remus smirks before he huffs an exhausted sigh, reaching up to rip the mask from his face. "There." He shoves the black fabric into his pocket. "Happy?"

"Don Rafael?" Whoever he was expecting to see, clearly Don Rafael was last on his list. "What is going on?"

I have two choices. I can lie to Rogelio and hope he buys my dishonesty as he has previously, or I can come clean and hope he helps us.

"Your father has information we need," I answer, denying Remus the chance. "The only way to acquire it was to break in, Rogelio."

"Wait." Confusion spreads across his face before the pieces in his fractured mind finally fall into place. "My father spoke of a possible rebellion." He points his weapon in Remus' direction. " I always knew something was off about you. My father was right. You can never trust a man who made his wealth capitalizing on the pleasures and addictions of his peers."

"Congratulations, Rogelio." Remus drawls and claps his gloved hands twice in mock praise. "You've finally done something your father will be proud of."

"And what's that?" He scowls at Remus who flashes a wicked smile in return.

"Followed in his footsteps, of course," my general coos. "You're well on your way to nailing a pair of wings to your own office wall."

Rogelio flinches at those words, as if Remus had taken his hand and smacked him across the face.

With my hands still raised to the level of my eyes, reassuring the heir I mean him no harm, though I'm armed to the teeth in weaponry, I appeal to his good nature hoping to squash the insult hurled from Remus. "Rogelio, you know what kind of man your father is, the kind of man the Soberano is. You and I both know you aren't like them." I take a small step toward him and whisper, "Help us. Help us right the wrongs committed – "

Clearly overwhelmed by his reddening face and the sweat beading along his hairline, he cuts me off, aiming his rapier at me. "Stop! Stop it! This can't be happening." He shakes his head. Tears well in his eyes. Although the dogs are all still standing behind him in the hallway, I can hear their guttural growls, begging their master to give them the order to tear us to pieces. But thankfully no such order is given. Suddenly, Rogelio's arm wavers and a tear slips down his cheek. "Was any of it real?" he whispers, broken. "Did you have any feelings for me at all or was it all some elaborate deception in your wicked schemes?"

"Rogelio – " I reach for him, but I'm met with him lifting his blade, anchoring me to my spot. "I do care about you, Rogelio. I see the goodness in you and know you want to do what's right for the people of Orlencia – "

"Please don't patronize me, Elena – "

"My name isn't Elena," I interrupt, exhausted from all the lies. He's hurt and it's my fault. He deserves to know the truth. The whole truth. "My name is Ines. Ines de la Vega. I'm a thief from the Brogratto who was spared execution in order to put the rightful ruler on the Orlencian Throne. I know you hate what this government has done in Orlencia. I know you want a better life for not only yourself but for our people. You, in your own way, rebel against your father and in extension the Soberano. Together, we can stop them from inflicting more harm against innocent people. Will you help me? Help us?"

He bristles at the word us, casting a nasty glare Remus' way. The wheels of his mind are turning, and I sense he's at war with himself. His eyes slide from Remus to meet mine, and I fear he is going to do something stupid.

"Please, Rogelio," I beg, my chest rising and falling rapidly. "You're a good man. Come with us." I extend a hand for him to grab, hoping he accepts my offer.

He observes me in wide-eyed wonder. Suddenly, as if he's mulled over my plea and has seen into his future, I sense he's made his decision. Slowly, he begins to lower his rapier but when Narcissa barks, Remus draws closer to me, causing Rogelio to panic at the sudden movement. He wrenches his sword back and thrusts it at Remus. I'm not exactly sure what comes over me, but I lunge between them and feel the blade pierce my abdomen.

Horror washes over Rogelio's paling face, rendering him too stunned to speak. Remorse and sadness flood his bloodshot eyes. "Elena," his voice cracks as he watches me fall to my knees.

I place my palm against the wound.. My breathing hitches and I wince when I pull my hand back and examine the warm, crimson blood seeping through my fingers.

Remus drops to his knees before me and presses his hands on either side of my face. Fear. All I see is fear and it's then I know the gravity of my situation. His gentle touch is sweltering against my cooling flesh. His mouth is moving, clearly formulating words, but I don't hear any of them.

“Remus,” I whisper, pressing my palm against his cheek.

Remus shakes me when my eyes start to close, drawing my attention to his lips mouthing the words, "Hold on, Ines. Hold on!"

Chapter 36

Remus

“Stay with me,” I pat her face when her eyes flutter. “Eyes on me, Ines. Do you hear me? Eyes on me!”

She nods but grimaces when I tear a piece of my cloak and press the fabric against her wound.

“Saints!” Rogelio whimpers, tears sliding down his reddening cheeks. “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” he says softly. “You have to believe me, I never would have hurt her.”

I don’t have time for Rogelio’s regrets and sorrows. Ines needs me and I have to act fast before I lose her.

I shove the guilt of her taking a blow intended for me into a box and expel it to the recesses of my mind. I can torment myself tomorrow about how it’s my fault she’s fighting for her life right, but for the time being, I need to take control of this situation.