Page 201 of Unmasked

Most of the men I couldn’t see. They wore robes, and they were packed in thick as I was wedged into the path between them.

Boos shouted. Spit splattered against my hair and face. Hands waved in the air, and the volume was deafening. Some reached out, shoving me. Slapping against the side of my head. Had it not been for the guards, I would have fallen more than once. Each room was infested. Every hall there was a mob of men who would have loved to take my life.

My heart was racing through the blur of movement, and it took everything in me to even walk. Sweat was beginning to bead on my ruined, nude body. The pain lessened as adrenaline had me fighting to walk faster. The sway of candlelight left me disoriented. Each step brought me closer to a death I didn’t want. And yet… I was nearly at a jog as I tried to race towards the open door ahead. But I was choosing. I was trying…

No. I was afraid.

Humming from the shouts vibrated into my bones. Chuckling somehow floated in the distance, worming its way in, and injuring my broken ego even more. The Masters were laughing at me. They were happy I was about to die. The wound was raw, burning more into the questions I’d never have answers to. Was I truly such a bad man? Was I so disliked?

I’d hurt people.

Didn’t everyone?

Had it been enough to make me hated?

Feared?

They didn’t fear me anymore.

I couldn’t talk myself out of this one. I couldn’t use charm or power. I was going to die, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Should I try and run?

Plead a little more?

Noble…

This couldn’t be happening.

Noble.

The guards led me through the door, giving way to a large lion shallowly carved into the middle of the room. I knew it immediately as the Masterson Crest. Cuffs were centered and waiting for me, and Penelope and Vaughn stood just above it next to an upside-down crown. A circle enclosed it all in, and I knew my blood was going to fill the crevice within the stone.

Men crowded in behind me, and I jerked against the guards for the smallest moment as they led me to the center of the circle. I felt sick as I jerked my gaze back up to Penelope’s.

Her eyes were as cold as ice as she stared me down. Where I wanted to beg, I couldn’t find the heart to as I was forced to lie down against the cold stone. Cuffs locked around my wrists and ankles, and the hum of the chant started low, increasing in volume.

“Blood remembers what was lost,

Blood repays the kingdom’s cost.

Blood of many, blood of one,

Together, the false crown is done.”

The chant repeated, changing, echoing, and growing louder as it filled the stone space. My body trembled as I took in the hooded figures around me. Some held knives. Others were completely masked and void of anything but voice as the volume rose.

“Blood remembers what was lost,

Blood repays the kingdom’s cost.

Blood of many, blood of one,

Together, forever, until we’ve won.”

Silver reflected in the light, and I took in the dark sapphires on the dagger Vaughn held. He walked around, coming to stand next to my ribs. His hand came up, quieting the men surrounding us. My body convulsed through the fear, and my breaths were deep and heavy as I jerked against the shackles. My eyes jumped over to Penelope, but she was watching Vaughn as he faced the men.

“We’ve been waiting a very long time for this.” His lips tugged back at the side. “Our wait is officially over. So, I proudly say to you now…