Page 22 of Uncrowned

My hand lifted to the Judic, but my focus stayed on Lord Allford.

“You’ve been discussed. Now, you face evaluation.”

“For walking out in front of your car? I swear—” His lids narrowed as his head dropped. “Discussed? Does this have to do with Allen Taylor? With his businesses?”

The first Judic stepped forward, walking over to hand me a paper. I took in the words, nodding as the Judic returned.

“A secret or a slice? Choose.”

Confusion left John’s hand lifting. “I don’t understand.”

I opened my suit’s jacket, withdrawing the jagged blade I always kept on me. The Lord’s fingers dug into stone, and he shifted in the chains.

“A secret. Okay, a s-secret. My wife is dying, and I’m already engaged.”

“And yet I already know. That’s not a secret, Lord Allford.”

“What do you mean? I haven’t told a soul. Allen is the only one—he is the reason I’m here.”

I walked forward, rearing back and letting the blade slice over his shoulder. Flesh tore under the jagged teeth. John yelled, folding his shoulders in as he began to curse and cry.

Water dripped in the distance, becoming a mantra with the howling as the second Judic headed my way. I took the paper, lifting my gaze back up to John.

“Secret or slice?”

John’s brow crinkled in alarm. “I-I… I…” A sob left him. “I’m a horrible father. I’ve beaten my son. I⁠—”

I stomped forward. “Please! No one knows—I—fuck!”

The yells increased from John as I brought back the knife again, connecting with the forearm he held up as protection.

Sobs and screams were immediate.

The third Judic left his position, coming up to hand me the paper. I unfolded it, lifting my head. I let time drag out.

“Secret? … Or … Slice?”

“I forced myself on a woman today!”

I stiffened despite trying not to react. A piece broke apart from me in that moment. Fear. I was never afraid. I let out a deep breath maintaining composure. “Continue.”

“T-The woman I’m going to marry. We were in the library. She wanted to talk but—She brought it on herself. She was kissing me back. She wanted it. I don’t care how innocent she is. She’s about to belong to me. So… I drug her to the back of the library and forced her pants down to taste her. She kept trying to push me away. I would have gone a lot further than that if Allen wouldn’t have interrupted and caught us. Serves her right for leading me on.”

Paper crumbled in my fist, and I let it fall to the floor at my feet.

A minute.

Two.

Masters shifted as I licked my lips, gripping to the handle of my knife as I kept my voice loud enough where all could hear.

“Penelope Taylor happens to be very important to my plans for the future.” I turned, walking slowly down the line of Masters as I stared into the darkness of their hoods. My voice got louder as I continued and doubled back to him.

“Penelope Taylor doesn’t belong to you, Lord Allford, she belongs to The Order.”

John shook his head back and forth.

“I…You were there for… her? You—You⁠—”