Page 97 of King of the Unsightly

My struggle made her mouth warp into a devious grin as she brought her hand to her lips.

She bit down and stretched out her hand and dropped her blood onto the floor. A ring cast in blue flames encircled us.

I yanked and pulled, but I still couldn’t budge. “Let go!” My head spun as a force entered my body and clouded my senses.

“You should be more careful with how you talk. We will be in the presence of asin.”

“Wh-wh-what?” I thrashed harder against the force attempting to occupy my mind, but it was cruel and persistent.

Ingrid groaned in irritation. “A witch is only as strong as the demon they sign with, and you have always beenhis. Had she taught you nothing?”

“She ...” I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t get any more words out.

“Of course she didn’t.” Ingrid chuckled. “She betrayed us and well, I guess you know how great it worked out for her.” She shook her head. “My poor little girl.” She sighed but it held no maternal affection. “I will say, she did a remarkable job at hiding you until now.” She snapped her fingers, and Lynne dropped Lucien to the ground.

My focus shifted to his lifeless eyes. “Are you okay?” I asked, waiting for a response.

I was hoping to catch a flicker of life, but Lucien stayed mute, knees pressed to the cold floor.

I fought back tears as fury burrowed deep within my chest.

Ingrid’s grip tightened on my wrist as she studied the mark on it. She leaned forward, frowning as she traced Kaschel’s mark on the back of my hand.

“You stupid girl. Do you know what you’ve done? How angry this will make him?” Ingrid yanked me behind her and chucked me to the ground at Lynne’s heels and clapped her hands. The blue flames extinguished in the blink of an eye. “Take them downstairs,immediately. We need to gather the others and find a way to get rid of him.”

Run, Little Flea, Run

The cold and damp room held little to no light, and instead, I was swathed in darkness, and it distorted how time moved around me. I could have been trapped here for days ... weeks ... ormonths.

I wasn’t certain of anything anymore.

Maybe my stay here numbed me, or maybe ... the betrayal, the grief, and Lucien’s odd behavior—or lack thereof—was nothing more than a fleeting memory now.

I exhaled and wiped the dirt and grime from my hands onto my worn-out pants and glared at the rusted bars in front of me as two guards stood watch. It’s like they thought I would be able to bend the metal and escape.

I wasn’t superhuman. It seemed a tad excessive, and Ingrid had already made it painstakingly clear the cell was warded against magic.

I still tested the theory out over and over again until my fingers went raw.

I wasn’t even given a bed or blanket, but I didn’t think she cared if my stay here was comfortable or not.

What psychotic lady treats her granddaughter like this?

I scooted closer to the stone wall and wrapped my arms around my knees and pulled them closer to my body.

I tipped my head to the side to check on Lucien, who was staring blankly—a common behavior from him.

The only passing pleasure I found in this hellhole was catcalling the guards, hoping I would get a reaction out of Lucien.

“Hey. HEY.” I could hear the guards grumble in annoyance as my voice pierced their eardrums.

It made my lip twitch in amusement.

I stood and sauntered over to the bars and clasped my hands tightly around them. I dipped my head to the side and batted my eyes.

I probably looked like some dirty gremlin, but it only made it more satisfying to see how uncomfortable they appeared.

“Are you a sorcerer?” I paused and saw both guards’ faces turn pale. “Because I’m cast under your spell.” I glanced back, but the only response I got from Lucien was him turning his head to the side—refusing to look at me.

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