Page 55 of Dark Reign

It dawned on me that the last time she’d seen me, I was still wearing the red contacts that made passing as an Ianite possible.

Until it wasn’t.

I was just about to thank her, as odd as that felt, but she cut me off before I had the chance.

“Your eyes may be gorgeous, but this?” she said, gesturing toward my hair. “This is all wrong.”

Before I could protest, I was turned straight ahead to watch her from the mirror again. The ponytail was undone and she pushed my dark waves over my shoulder, running the brush through it until I grabbed her wrist, stopping her. Our gazes locked and I didn’t blink.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

That smile never left her. “Just trying to help,” she offered.

Before letting her go, I snatched the brush from her hand, despite her tight grip.

“I’ve been doing my own hair for quite some time now,” I hissed. “Pretty sure I can manage.”

Her expression faltered, but only a little. Still, it was unnerving to think that she, a machine no less, had taken my words to heart, considering she didn’t actually have one.

“I didn’t mean any harm,” she piped, giving me a look I equated to someone trying to save face.

I didn’t take my eyes off her until she took a few steps back.

“Well … I came because the prince asked me to have a word with you before your day gets started,” she explained, that chipper tone returning, but more solemn now. “There’s been a new development, and he thought the news might be better coming from me.”

Once I finished securing my ponytail for a second time, I turned to face her, beyond curious as to what this was about.

“I’m listening,” I said, knowing Felix was doing the same.

“The others arrived last night to discuss matters with Prince Julian,” Elle began, but I cut her off immediately.

“The others?”

She nodded once. “Yes. The other princes,” she clarified. “As you may have noticed, the four are incredibly close, behaving more like brothers than friends. So, it was expected they’d come by to assist Prince Julian as he weighed his options.”

My stomach churned with that word.

Options.

They’d sat around and discussed my fate, deciding whether I should live or die because, at some point in history, someone had decided to place this kind of power in their hands.

It sickened me.

Both fists tightened at my sides and I fought the urge to charge from the room in search of Julian, ready to pick a fight I knew I couldn’t win. Still, depending on what Elle said next, it might be worth a try.

“Actually, they stayed overnight to make sure things went smoothly today,” she added.

Remaining silent, I was suddenly aware of just how much power and authority dwelled under this one roof. This bit of info made me think better of the idea to read Julian the riot act.

Not that I was all that set on such a suicide missionbeforefinding out there was not only oneprince here, but four.

“So, after much deliberation,” she went on, “a conclusion was reached.”

Bile rose in my throat. “And what conclusion is that exactly?” The words left my mouth bitterly.

“Well, with so many witnessing the event last night, and with the lie told to cover his tracks with the two sentinels, it seems that the path of least resistance is to have you legally labeled as a Doll,” Elle concluded like it was nothing. “HisDoll.”

That sick feeling returned and I was grateful I’d already been sitting. This couldn’t happen. I had a job to do, one so many relied on me for, and I couldn’t be effective sporting that dreaded barcode on my arm. It was more than just the mark of an Ianite Master. For me, it was the kiss of death.

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