Page 128 of Outcast’s Vow

Leopold is unfazed. His teeth are bared like a monster being held back from a blood feast.

“His wife must suffer the same consequences. They were married in the ancient Castaways way. It’s clear what has to happen to her. They’re bound to the same fate.”

“Baptiste has made his choice and is clearly trying not to drag her into it,” Cromwell explains to Leopold. “We can’t punish her for his actions. Let’s be humane here.”

“We have to respect the Code,” Leopold hisses back.

“What’s happening?” I ask the men, exasperated. “My fate? Baptiste’s?”

I hate speaking in all these riddles. The Elders ignore me. They might pretend to be keepers of some secret, serious lore, but they love this shit. Boys playing dress-up.

No. They’re dangerous men playing dress-up.

“She has to atone for the sins of her husband,” Leopold declares to the other men. “That’s the old rules. That’s what they signed up for in the Chase.”

I’m shaking my head. Fury rises in my throat like bile. I know he’s behind all of this. He’s been out to get Baptiste since day one, and he will not rest until he salts the earth my husband steps on.

“Old rules? Sins? All of this is bullshit. None of this makes sense.”

“Sylvie,” Father rumbles. A clear command for me to shut up and stay silent.

But I’m not going to.

“Punish her and punish Baptiste,” Leopold says. “She married the man, so she is complicit in his betrayal. He’s left the Order, so he needs to be eliminated. She’s his wife, so she suffers the same fate.”

Is he really advocating to kill me?

I don’t care anymore. I’m no longer going to play the dignified, poised princess. I’m going to fight back.

“Pardon my French,” I interrupt, “but stick your stuffy, pointless, dumb rules up your ass.”

Leopold turns to me, face scowling with rage. I bet he’s never had a woman speak to him like that in his entire privileged life.

But before he can say a word, Father raises his hand, silencing everyone and putting a stop to everything in the room.

“Elders Leopold and Cromwell, please leave.”

“This needs to end,” Leopold hisses. “No matter what loopholes there are. No matter if you’re related.”

“Leave, Elder Anguish.”

Cromwell gives a quick nod and heads on out.

Leopold, as expected, has one final thing to say to my father...

“There’s been enough disrespect of the rules recently. Mrs. Tremblay should pay the same price as Mr. Tremblay. You know this as well as I do, Supreme Elder.”

Father says nothing as Leopold swishes out of the room like some ancient vampire.

Once the door to the office shuts, and Father and I are finally alone, I turn my cannons onto him.

“This is all insane. You should all be focusing on this crazy serial killer going around murdering Elders, and not on me or Baptiste.”

Father sighs and strolls around to his desk. He slowly takes a seat and leans back. And for the first time in a long time, I see the weight of the Castaways crown etched into his face. It’s like he’s aged a decade in a matter of days.

“Has Baptiste spoken to you at all? Be truthful now. I’m trying to save you.”

“You’re trying to save me? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all day.”