53. Vaughn
Vaughn
I wasn’t sure what I expected when I started sleeping with Penelope again. The first few nights had been what dreams were made of—her, me, our bodies entwined with lovemaking sessions that lasted for hours. But the bliss couldn’t override the horrors that lived inside of her.
“No! No! Vau—Vaughn! No!”
The terror in the tone, the explosive screaming…
for the second night, it pulled me from a deep sleep, sending me into a panic as I twisted to reach for Penelope.
She was thrashing, twisted in the sheet as she tried to fight her way free.
The door flew open and guards raced in, turning on the light as they did.
Sobs and screaming filled the room as I untangled a confused and anxious Penelope.
The moment her arms were free, she was pulling around my neck, climbing into my lap.
I waved the guards out just as I had the night before, fixing the blanket up around her as she continued to shake through the cries.
“Shhh, love. I have you. You’re okay.”
“I-I’m n-not.”
“You are. You’re in my arms. You’re safe.”
“They got me.” More sobs. “They had me and Marian and they—they hurt us, but then I left her. I can’t believe I left her with them. I’m a horrible friend. I hate this. I-I want her gone. I want her to leave here.” Penelope broke all over again. “I c-can’t bear it.”
“You can and you will.” My jaw tightened as I rocked her and held her tighter.
“We talked about this. You know the reasons why. There is no other way. If we want to set things right, we need her reborn. She must be strong. The sort of strength she needs does not come with training. It comes from trauma. You didn’t do this, I did.
Even if you would have fought me, threatened to leave, never spoken to me again, my decision would have been the same.
You’ve chosen your future, and that future is me.
Sacrifice is the weight of the Crown. Accept. ”
“It hurts.”
“I know. Now say you accept.”
More sobs. “I accept. That does not mean I like it. I hate it.”
“I know.”
She sniffled, snuggling her face into my neck.
“How much longer will she be here?”
“I’m to meet with the men today.”
Penelope flew up from my neck. “Men? What men?”
“Bram Whitlock, Elec Wexler, and Drayton Pennington. They’ll come for her in a few hours.”
Terror. Relief. The two morphed into hesitation as I watched Penelope fade from the room into her thoughts.
“I want to be there.”
“I don’t—”
“Please. Vaughn, please. I have to be there.”
Pressure constricted in my chest.
“You don’t want to see her like that. It’s best—”
“I deserve to witness what I’ve done. You say you would have done it anyway, but I’m complicit… I have to see.”
“Penelope, the nightmares are already getting worse.”
“Worse? They never stopped, Vaughn. Who do you think has helped me through the worst of them this last year? It wasn’t you; it was her.
Now, she’ll have them too, all thanks to what we’ve done.
Yeah… I want to see what we’re creating.
If future me gets her at her best, I want to see what the hell we’ve done to create her. ”
I pulled her back to my chest, holding around her tightly.
“Don’t hate me.”
My words came out barely audible. I didn’t fear anything, but losing Penelope terrified me.
Penelope’s head tilted back as she looked up at me.
“I’ve tried hating you. It didn’t work. She’s that bad?”
I nodded, letting what The Reeve had told me about her time on Severance filter through.
Then… what happened after. It was degrading enough for her to be locked onto the contraption and measured like stock.
But he said when they inserted the spreader and opened her to test the tightness, she had started dripping blood all over the floor.
He assumed they were from the previous rapes, but then even more rape followed…
The number of guards… I couldn’t stomach it.
I sure as hell didn’t want to tell Penelope the details.
“I’m going to do my best to set Marian up for a good life. She deserves it after what she’s been through here. Just… try your best to hold it together when you see her. You won’t be able to. I know you. But. Fuck.” Tighter, I held her to me. “Just don’t hate me.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“If you expect the worse—Expect that it’s even worse than that. It’s bad.”
And I hadn’t lied.
I dreaded this day from the moment I’d met Marian in the Great Hall and heard Penelope scream for her friend’s mercy.
I had wanted her to pay for keeping Penelope away from me, but this was extreme.
It was the only way. I knew it in my bones.
My training reassured me my decision was right.
With each hour that passed, I knew to trust in what I’d been taught. There was no room for doubt.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
They went by in a blur.
I watched my Intended—my future queen. I saw the fear keep her eyes round.
She jumped at every sound. The anticipation had her walking the edge of a cliff of emotions, and worrying about her was the only thing that kept me grounded.
Even as I led her to the Throne Room, and I took my seat with her on the floor at my feet, I was still more worried about her than the men who’d be here at any moment.
How would she react when she saw Marian? Would she be able to stay composed or would she break even more? I knew it was going to be bad, I just hoped it wasn’t a mistake letting her come.
“Unavowed, they’re here.”
“Let them in.”
Seconds passed, and I immediately recognized Bram and Elec. As I took in Drayton, it had my head cocking to the side. I didn’t get to think on it as Bram’s deep voice cut through the room.
“We’re here for Marian LaRoe. You need to collect her and bring her to us.”
My lids narrowed.
“I told you. Marian is indebted to me in lieu of her mother. She must do her time.”
“Bullshit.” Drayton cut in, shaking his head. “If Melissa owed you, I’ll make the payment, but you’re not going to take it out on what’s mine. You’ve already had her long enough.”
I sat straighter, easing to stand as I headed closer to them. I took in his height. In the way his shoulders were wide.
“You hoped I’d come.” He lifted one of his eyebrows at me. “Well, here I am.”
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.”
A growl mixed with a threatening sound as he stared me down. I didn’t care as I walked back to the throne to sit. Drayton turned to Bram and Elec, and I didn’t miss his shaking.
Minutes passed as he paced. When the doors opened, he froze. We all did. Marian was being carried, but she wasn’t awake. She didn’t even look alive.
The dirty slip dress she wore was smeared in mud and splotches of blood. There were cuts and scrapes all over her dirty arms and legs. Half of her face was swollen and bruised and there was a laceration along her cheek.
The guard walked up and Drayton held out his arms, but Marian was dumped roughly on the floor feet away. With how she landed, I knew Penelope didn’t miss the blood smeared between her thighs.
Drayton’s shaking got worse as he walked forward at a leisurely pace. He turned her head, exposing her bruised neck to feel her pulse point. At Marian’s whimper, I didn’t miss Penelope’s. She was barely holding on. Her breathing was shallow and her hands were twisting into her dress.
“See. She lives. How long, is the question.”
Drayton’s stare rose to meet mine and there were tears in his eyes. As he went to scoop her into his arms, my hand shot up.
“Don’t bother. She’s going back to the cell until—”
He didn’t hesitate to pick her up to cradle at his chest. “We’re making the calls. Marian’s not leaving me until they’re finished. The Council gave her to me. I own her, and before it’s over with, I’ll be leaving with what is mine.”
Sniffling sounded at my side, and Penelope’s silent cries broke into sobs.
“I’ll be back.” Bram looked around the room, stopping at the men at his side. “I’ll hurry as fast as I can.”
While they were talking, I leaned down to Penelope.
“Love, you have to stop crying.
“I can’t stop it—Vaughn, I’m so sorry—Dismiss me before I go to her. Dismiss me.”
“Breathe. We knew this would be bad.”
“It’s worse than bad. Are you sure she won’t die? She looks almost dead.”
“She’s unconscious. She’s not dead. She will wake.”
I kept my words but a whisper as Penelope clung to the bottom of my slacks. Every time she looked toward Marian, she broke a little more. And Marian was trembling in Drayton’s arms. She wasn’t even awake and still she shook.
“Stay. Breathe. I’ll be back.”
I headed for Drayton, keeping the emotion from my face as I approached.
“I could almost believe you cared for her. Wasn’t your plan to kill her after she produced you an heir?” Drayton looked up, keeping the glare as I continued. “You don’t appear a man who wants to kill her. You look at her with love. With pain.”
“How I look at her is none of your concern, nor is our future.”
“I disagree.” I glanced down at Marian but came back up to look at him. “You see, there’s only one way I’m letting you leave The Order with your Chosen. And that’s with a clause that you can’t take her life until I get what I need. Like I said, she owes me.”
“She’s mine, so I owe you. What could you possibly want with her being alive? Do you see her? You nearly fucking killed her.”
My head shook. “No. She’s fine. Rape never killed anyone, and my guards are fixed and clean. She’ll survive. It’s in her blood… and that’s what I want.”
“… I don’t understand.”
Elec’s hand lifted as he stepped forward, studying me with such deep thoughts that drew in his brow.
“I see what you’ve done.” Anger was in Elec’s words, but also something else. Respect, awe, even if he didn’t like it? “They know Bram will be calling. It wasn’t about the properties at all. You want the Pennington heir for your own. They know… You’re going to—”
I looked at him impressed. “Not me. I don’t think I’ll be so lucky, but someday we will take our rightful place.
They thought they could cheat my family out of what was ours.
I may be The Black Line but watch as I turn ruination into royalty.
We will reign again. The LaRoe blood is the key, as is Penelope’s.
It’s why I chose them. Founders, older than ours.
Conquerors. More connected. More powerful with more sway. Nothing can beat this.”
I glanced back at Penelope feeling the pieces to my puzzle finally slip into place. When I met Drayton’s eyes, I knew I had him.
“What I want from you is a betrothal. A promise forged in the blood she’s lost. That’s the price of her freedom. She’s paid the blood. I want the promise from you. Otherwise, her debt is unpaid, and I’ll never let her leave. Not even The Council can save her.”