Page 157 of Uncrowned

I smiled. “Here you are. I thought it might be you. I’m impressed. Great mask. I couldn’t even tell.”

“I want Marian. She’s done her time. If Melissa owed you money, you’ll get it from me.”

Slowly, my head shook as I stepped back towards my throne.

“This is about blood, not money. Only Marian can pay for her mother’s crimes.”

“Her mother is dead.” Bram’s face hardened. “I’m not here to negotiate with you. You will release Marian LaRoe, and you’ll do it right now.”

I made a dramatic cringing expression.

“Yeah… I can’t do that.”

Bram took a step forward. “You will do it, or you will not like the consequences from The Collective High Council. Not only will we take Marian,” Bram glanced to Penelope, “you will lose your own chosen not to mention your life. Right now, The Council is willing to overlook your crimes, but if you do not release Ms. LaRoe, you lose them both.”

Rage had my lip peeling back and my head lowering while my eyes cut up. “You try to take her, and I will kill you all. Penelope is mine.”

“And Marian is mine!” Drayton took quick steps towards me. “You have my chosen brought to me right now. I want to see if she’s okay. If you’ve hurt her⁠—”

“Oh, she’s hurt.” My expression morphed, dripping with vehemence. “On top of her payment, the slave broke rules. She’s facing the consequences for that. Every hour. Every guard. Sometimes multiple guards.”

“You son of a⁠—”

Elec and Bram grabbed Drayton as he lunged forward, pulling him back as my guards crowded in. He fought against them, managing to point his finger.

“Get her… now. You bring her to me right now!”

My lips twisted through his reaction. Did he truly love her like Penelope thought? It appeared there was something…

“I can bring her in, but she’s not finished. Her mother ruined multiple marriages. She took money and property from my Masters without their knowledge or consent. The High Council decided not to return them. So, Marian can work off the cost. I figure.” I looked down at my watch. “She has another four lifetimes to go. Maybe five.”

“You want the properties back?” Bram held to Drayton’s shoulder. “That’s what you’re saying? You want what was stolen?”

“Maybe you missed the part about marriages? About the lack of knowledge or consent? What she’s done⁠—”

“She’s paid for,” Elec exploded. “I killed Melissa, myself. If you want material possessions or funds, that’s through The Council. Marian is not part of that. You get her right now, or what I’ll do to your Chosen at The Gardens⁠—”

“Enough!” Bram’s hand sliced through the air as I prowled towards Elec. “You have 10 minutes to bring us Marian. We’re leaving with someone, and if it’s not her, it’ll be Penelope. If you don’t believe me, start counting. Watch what happens when your time runs out.”

I was breathing hard through the fury. I looked back to Penelope, seeing the fear flicker in her eyes at the threats the men cast. I turned back to them, feeling nausea twist my stomach. If anyone could take Penelope because of status it would be Bram. But I’d never let him get away with it. No one was taking my queen.

“No.”

Drayton was grabbed again as he tried to lunge towards me. I could see Penelope shifting in my peripheral. I knew she’d fight if these men got too close to her. She wouldn’t leave me. She’d die fighting to stay here.

“Marian doesn’t leave until I have The Council’s word that what was taken will be returned. I will show you proof of life, but she goes back into the cell until The Council can assure me my request is granted.”

Bram pulled out his phone. “Have her brought in. I’ll call them.”

I gestured to the guards as they took off at a fast pace. “That won’t work here. You’ll have to go above ground to make contact.”

“Your phone works just fine.” I shrugged, but Bram didn’t stop. “Bring her, and I’ll call them. Here. Not above ground.”

“You can try. Like I said, it won’t work.”

Drayton’s voice echoed through the room. His tone was half anger, half desperation. “It’ll take an hour for him to get out and another hour for him to return. That’s not even including the call or decision.”

“More fun for my guards.”