Page 126 of Ruthless God

Agnes meets his gaze head-on. “I know enough to say that she isn’t ready for what’s coming. You know that as well as I do. You just don’t want to admit it.”

I feel Claudius tense beside me. He doesn’t like that answer. I don’t either. Because no matter how much she tries to spin this, she’s still hiding something.

A chill crawls up my spine.

Because I’d bet my life that whatever she’s not saying…

Whatever she’s so desperate to twist, spin, deflect…

It has something to do with the basement. With Gabriel.

I step forward, crossing my arms. “You keep talking about what’s coming, about what I don’t understand. So why don’t you explain it to me?”

She tilts her head, feigning patience. “I already have, dearie. You simply don’t want to listen.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Oh, no. See, I think you’re still lying.”

Claudius is silent beside me, but I can feel his attention locked on Agnes. I press forward.

“You’re hiding something.” My heart pounds, but I don’t stop. “And I’m guessing it has to do with the basement.”

This time she flinches. Small. Barely there. But I see it.

Claudius sees it, too. His eyes narrow, his body going completely still.

“Is that true, Agnes?” His voice is calm. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Agnes’ lips part, but no words come out.

I step in again. “What’s in the basement, Agnes?”

She presses her lips into a thin line. And suddenly, I know. I know whatever is down there, it’s something she never wanted me to find.

“Well?”

Agnes doesn’t answer. She just stands there, her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes flicking between us. Weighing her options. Trying to figure out how much she can get away with.

Claudius doesn’t give her the chance. He steps forward, slow, deliberate, his presence shifting into something darker, heavier.

His voice drops to something lethal.

“We asked you a question, Agnes.”

We.The single word sends my heart cheering, as if we’re a team.

Her throat bobs, but she keeps her face carefully neutral. “Sir, I only meant?—”

“I don’t give a damn what you meant.” His words are razor-sharp, cutting straight through her excuse. “Enough with the games. What’s in the basement?”

Agnes exhales slowly, like she’s choosing her words with precision.

“There are things better left alone, sir.”

Claudius doesn’t blink. “And yet, here we are.”

A beat. Then another. Finally, Agnes squares her shoulders. And when she speaks, her voice is quiet. Heavy.

“The basement holds the past.”

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