55. Vaughn
Vaughn
Thoughts wouldn’t come in more than a jumbled array of curses and cries.
Sickness had my stomach in knots. The bile stayed at the back of my throat as I raced through the tunnels, jumping over my dead guards.
My pulse was a sledgehammer in my chest. It chipped away what was left of my sanity, leaving an ache and fear so immense within me that I was sure I’d break to pieces because of it.
“Reeve!” My voice carried, echoing in a deep, desperate tone. “Able! Theodore!”
Metal clanked hard against me, and I could feel every step with jolting force.
Blood was in random puddles, smeared as guards had tried to pull themselves to safety.
God, what had I done by thinking she’d be okay from King Lawrence?
How had I not known he’d go this far? Had I truly thought because I had The Council’s backing that we were safe?
Had I not learned from my own life? From my murdered parents.
Ancestors! The Evans would stop at nothing to get what they wanted, and I’d fallen right into the trap.
He hadn’t taken my life physically, but emotionally… he’d torn my heart clean out.
“Reeve!”
Able burst around the corner ahead, and I nearly sobbed as guards crowded in behind him. His uniform was soaked in blood. His arm was in a sling, and my Reeve’s face was ghostly pale as I approached.
“What the hell happened? Where is she?”
I barely heard Mr. Prescott move in behind me. Two bullet holes punctured through Able’s shirt at his shoulder, and he was barely holding on. I didn’t wait for him to start talking. I was already walking to my study.
“Gone, Sire. I’ve pulled up the footage.
She knocks out Theodore and leaves with the man she seems to recognize.
But she tries to fight him once his guards were taken down by ours.
Before she could get the upper hand, they gave her a shot and she went unconscious.
He got her out of here quickly after that.
I already have men pulling up footage so we can track them down. ”
Faster, I walked, zigzagging through. When I surged through my study door, Theodore looked up from my computer. A large knot was at the top of his forehead, and blood was stained down the side of his face. He was clicking buttons, barely looking up at me as he continued.
“It was him. The one who stabbed me. He led the men.”
“Has anyone called Lord Oxley?”
“He’s on his way.” Able’s voice was weak as he leaned against the frame.
Video footage projected on the large TV monitor on my wall.
Theodore slowed it as he ran into the room, grabbing Penelope around the waist. Guards were falling all around her, and blood was splattered over her face.
The sickness built as I watched them begin to run up the stairs, only to turn to head down towards the hall.
They didn’t make it but a few steps before men in black moved in, surrounding them.
Theodore turned to the big screen, his hand shooting out as he pointed.
“Him. That’s him.”
My eyes narrowed, and I moved in closer, turning to glance at Able.
“Is that the one who was testing our boundaries. That looks like the same man.”
“It is.”
I cursed. “George. Penelope called him George. She was sure it was King Lawrence’s man. We didn’t know for sure, but I can bet you anything he’s behind this.”
“Possibly, Sire. We checked the guns and uniforms. There’s nothing that leads back to the palace. I was hoping there would be evidence.”
Nothing could make me turn away from the screen as I nodded and stared ahead.
I saw Penelope’s fear and pain as she spoke to the man.
I watched how she put herself in front of Theodore as he leaned towards the leader.
How she tried protecting him as she brought the gun down on his head to knock him out.
“She saved your life. Did you see his face? He was going to kill you.”
Theodore made a sound, half full of anger, the other half aggravation.
“Follow them, Theodore.”
He shifted through cameras as he picked up with them racing down the hall.
Guards were dropping as they passed halls and made turns.
When she jerked in George’s hold, a guard wrapped around her from behind.
Penelope twisted, slipping free of his grasp and kicking him in the stomach as he raced for her.
The guard flew back and she went for another, but she didn’t make it but a few steps.
Electrodes shot into the top of her chest and shoulder, locking up her entire body.
Penelope hit the stone floor hard, convulsing through the shock.
They weren’t even finished electrocuting her before one was stabbing a syringe into her.
It had me slamming the side of my fist into my desk.
Papers flew out, and Theodore’s eyes cut up, full of anger and tears.
“You told me to watch over her and I didn’t.”
I tore at the armor I wore, pulling it off. “She’s the Queen, Theodore. It was her job, and she knew that. I knew that. I should have never put that responsibility on you. This was my fault. She tried to tell me. She knew, and I dismissed her fears. She fucking knew.
Turning, I took in Mr. Prescott who stood silently at my door.
“He’s a dead man.” I took a step towards him. “You know that, right?”
“We need proof.”
“He’s dead. I’ve played The Council’s games for long enough.
Lawrence Evans will bleed out before dawn.
Mark my words. I’m going to kill him, and not you nor The Sultan nor anyone else is going to stop me.
You promised protection, and you failed.
Now you will deliver. You have Lawrence Evans brought to me immediately. ”
“Unavowed—”
“King Vaughn! There is no more Unavowed. There is me. You better talk to whoever you need to and figure out a story and a transition because it’s happening.
Tonight, you all crossed a line by forcing me into the public.
The Council did this, and now there’s no going back.
This is how you all make it up to me. Now bring Lawrence to me so I can get answers. I want my queen.”
Mr. Prescott swallowed hard, nodding as he pulled out his phone and stepped out of the room. I walked over to my Reeve, easing him to the chair.
“Lord Oxley will be here soon. He better fucking hurry up.”
“Here! I’m here. I’m sorry, I got here as fast as I could.”
His fingers were already pushing around the wounds, checking both sides.
“They went through. We’re good. Let’s get him to his room.”
I motioned to the guards outside the door. “Help take your Reeve to his room so Lord Oxley can treat him.” I looked at Able. “Who is your second?”
His good hand lifted weakly. “Wallace.”
Nodding, I took in the lean, dark-skinned male. “Wallace, get the guard together. I want these exits covered. With those left, have them start collecting the bodies. I want a count on how many we’ve lost.”
“I’m on it, Sire.”
I turned back to Theodore, meeting his hard stare.
“You need to sit down also. You have quite the knot on your head. You surely have a concussion.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“You will have your revenge. Whoever that man is that took Penelope and tried to end your life, he is yours. You have my word.”
Back and forth his head went. “I know what he did to me. Right now I’m worried about what he’ll do to her. If she kills him, I’m fine with that. So long as he’s dead and can’t hurt anyone else. Dammit. I don’t trust him not to hurt her.”
“I think Lawrence would kill him if he did. I think that’s the only positive we have coming out of this.”
Footsteps pounded in the distance, and I stood taller as they got closer. Elec and Bram came into the room and Mr. Prescott followed.
“What do we know?” Bram was texting as he and Elec pointed to the large monitor.
I waved at Theodore to start it for them.
As the video began to play again, both Bram and Mr. Prescott’s notifications continued to alert.
Theo increased the speed in areas and pointed out things at certain moments. I could barely focus on it.
I wanted Lawrence.
I wanted him screaming in pain.
I wanted him begging and pleading for death.
“Do we know that it’s King Lawrence?”
I gave Bram a look.
“He’s not the king anymore. This crossed the line.
That man that took her, Penelope calls him George.
She’s positive she heard Lawrence talking to him one night at Rosemoor.
That is the same man who tried to kill Theodore before he found out about me.
I’m pretty damn positive Lawrence is behind this.
” I paused, taking in the men. “Where the hell is he? I said I wanted him brought here. Who’s bringing him? ”
The men looked confused, turning to Mr. Prescott. My handler shifted, his face tightening as he took us in.
“The Sultan says King—Lawrence is gone. He left shortly after you did. We don’t know where he went. We’re searching the system, but so far there’s no trace. The cameras have been wiped.”
A growl tore from me.
“Is it any more obvious? Son of a bitch. If he gets to her before we do, he may put her somewhere we can never find her.”
“We’ll find her.” Bram’s hand lifted. “I have some connections. I’ve already reached out to Luke—”
My head shook in confusion. “The Main Master from Red Island?”
“He’s a computer genius. He can get into places you wouldn’t believe.”
“Penelope liked him,” I said, lowly. “She said he was a good man.”
“He is,” Bram assured. “And he’s already looking into it. We’ll see what he can find.”
I pushed my fingers through my hair, fisting the dampened strands. Elec stepped in, meeting my gaze.
“If we find him, I can get him to tell us where she is. I can make his pain so unbearable, he’ll spill every secret he’s ever had.
You torture, and I’ll unlock the true pain.
One brush over his arm, and to him it’ll feel like you’re peeling back his skin.
Imagine if you were to cut. Break bones.
” A sadistic smile tugged back his lips.
“All you have to do is say yes, and I will unlock his mind for you.”
I glanced over to Mr. Prescott and Bram before turning back to him. He had Melissa’s gifts of hypnosis. The best in the world. And I had him here with me…
“I want him to suffer so badly that his ancestors feel it. I want answers. Confessions. You can make that happen?”
Elec’s smile broadened.
“You know I can. I can make anything happen.”