Page 88 of Queen of Vengeance

“But wait, won’t he recognize me? I know it’s been seventeen years, but it would blow the whole mission if he did.”

I looked between both of them.

Rowan pursed her lips and mumbled, “Since you changed your wardrobe, I don’t even recognize you from two months ago.”

“Thanks for that,” I responded dryly.

“Of course, we should change your appearance a little more. Time and fashion have already done a lot for you, but perhaps giving you a haircut would help.” Akil’s eyes rolled with the desire to touch my hair.

“I take it you already have something in mind?”

Of course, he did. Akil wouldn’t have brought it up otherwise. He smiled at me and raised his brow muscles. “Let’s get you ready.”

The day of the party came much too soon for my liking.

I stood in Akil’s grand greeting room in a long champagne-colored dress made of the finest silk.

They dyed my soft honey curls a deep copper color.

Luckily, I managed to keep my hair long despite Akil working freely with the scissors.

If I were to look in the mirror, I would hardly recognize myself. That was the whole point, after all, but I felt like a different person standing here. I didn’t know if maybe it was because I had changed after all this time.

Is it possible I was still growing and altering even after being stuck in the same place for seventeen years? That’s a nice thought.

My momentary peace was disturbed as Akil opened the doors to his home and allowed the menagerie of people to flood in one by one.

“We simply have to see your protege, Mr. Wiley,” I already heard one of them say from across the room.

“In time, dear friend, in time. For now, please enjoy a sample of one of her fine potions.” Akil stepped aside so that one of his servers with a tray of my potion could hand it to the gentleman.

“A potion sample at the front door. That’s a little unorthodox, don’t you think?” He threw his head back and chortled but still took one.

“You’ll understand once you try it. And don’t worry; the potions have already been patented and approved for safety. There won’t be any fiasco with your hair falling out here.” Akil nudged the gentleman and laughed along with him.

I wasn’t privy to the joke, but it appeared that was an issue at some point.

You’d have to be a terrible potionist to put out something that made people’s hair fall out!

“So nice of you to join us, Mr. Ransom. I heard about your new company. I’m very interested to see where you go with this one.”

I turned my back to Akil as soon as I heard his name.

My chest seized up, making it impossible for my heart to move or for me to breathe.

My vision became blurry, and cold sweats poured out from my pores.

I clutched my stomach, realizing that I was a few moments away from passing out.

I have to get out of here. I thought I could do this, but I can’t!

I tried to rush out of the room, but someone caught me. I turned around, looking down at my wrist and the hand encompassing it. “Oh, Lunaira.”

My eyes slowly moved up the arm of the person who accosted me.

I gasped, realizing that he was wearing a mask. “Do I know you?”

There was something about him… But it was a ghost of familiarity at best, not one I could pinpoint.

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