Page 33 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“You’re going to tell me everything that you know. You will answer every question I ask; do you understand?”

Palo clenched his jaw but didn’t answer me. I smiled as I stepped forward and punched him in the face; his blood poured from his nose, spewing across the room and onto me.

“I suggest you answer me, Palo, or the next hit will be with my blade.”

“Yes, I understand.” He glared.

“Now,” I sighed, irritated. “Why were you spying on Thea?”

Palo hesitated, and this time Haden stepped forward. His knife rested in his palm as he stared at Palo. Whatever Palo saw on Haden’s face scared the fuck out of him.

“King Luren has me follow her.”

“If you continue with these short, stupid answers, I will just start cutting your fingers off now. Details, Palo.” I stepped forward so I was at eye level with him.

“He wants to make sure she isn’t being strange." He stopped, and Haden stepped forward, slapping Palo across the face. “She was acting odd as soon as she got to Cerithia. Luren doesn’t trust her, so he made me follow her around.”

“How long was she in Cerithia?” She didn’t come to the trials, and that had never happened. Was she there for months, and I had no idea? What did her father fill her head with this time?

“We found her in the woods by accident when she lit it on fire. She was at the castle for only one day. Luren was worried she would notice things weren’t right, especially after she made the comment about her bedroom.”

I gave him a look that let him know he better keep talking.

“She recognized that her bedroom wasn’t hers because it wasn’t dark green. We’re assuming she was picturingyourroom.”

Damn straight, she was picturing our bedroom. I gave him a knowing smile, so he knew that was exactly what she pictured.

"That, and she sneers at Jesper every time he speaks.”

I laughed softly. That’s my girl.

“What exactly are you hoping to find on this little spy mission of yours?” I asked.

“Luren wants to know if you two speak at all.”

“What have you reported to him so far?” I stepped forward with my dagger. Palo didn’t speak. I was done giving him warnings, so I plunged the dagger into his forearm and pushed it all the way through so that it stuck into the chair.

“Fuck!” Palo screamed into the dungeon. His screams made my shadows burst out in a frenzy. Scream for me, Palo; it only makes me want to hurt you more.

“Answer,” I demanded.

“Nothing. I just started tonight.”

I tilted my head as I watched the blood pour from him onto the floor. He didn’t continue to speak; he just sobbed like a baby.

“Was someone else spying before you?”

Palo’s eyes widened. This little motherfucker thought I would be so stupid to not ask that. I grabbed him by the throat and squeezed it until his face started turning purple.

“Who the fuck is it, and where are they?”

He was desperately trying to breathe.

“I don’t think he can answer you.” Haden interrupted my rage. My black eyes flickered at him before shifting back to Palo. I released him.

“A Kizar guard. I relieved him tonight, and he is headed to Cerithia on horseback. He left Thea’s camp two hours ago.”

I looked at Haden.

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