Page 104 of Monsterland Mayhem

“This is still going to be a suicide mission,” I tell them. Because the fealty thing feels too easy. “But fuck it. I’m in.”

I earned my Mad Hatter title for a reason.Thisreason. If my best friends want to storm a fucking fortress to rescue our Omega, then I’m the right Enforcer for the job.

I finish rinsing my hair and skin, then turn off the water and grab a fresh towel.

There’s really only one thing left to say.

“I’m going to need my cards.”

Because the Queen of Hearts is going to pay. That bitch is going down, even if it means sacrificing myself in the process.

Time to play.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

AILSA

I don’t touchthe food or drink on the new tray. Tabitha brought it down shortly afterDoctor Tavleft. But I refuse to eat it. I don’t trust the contents.

Hell, I don’t trustanythinghere.

The door to my room is locked. I know this because I tried to open it about thirty minutes ago.

Normally, that would be fine—I’ve slipped out of the basement window dozens of times.

Only now, that window doesn’t budge.

Because it’s not the same window.

I made that discovery shortly after finding the door locked, and I’ve been trying to figure out what it means. Obviously, I’m not really home. But why go through all the charades of pretending I’m here? Why tell me the ceremony never happened, only for the Imposter King—or who I’m about ninety-five percent sure is the Imposter King—to call me an Omega?

None of this makes any sense.

Is Baroness Clarice actually Heart? Or is Heart just masquerading as Baroness Clarice?

I pace the room, my mind racing.

Where are Catum, Krolic, and Craze? Was Craze hurt somehow? Did he lose me in the portal?

I stalk over to the wardrobe to finger the blue-and-white ceremonial dress. It feels like the one I wore the other day. And the shoes are that same too-small size.

My teeth grind together.

Is this all an elaborate ruse to make me feel insane? Because it’s working. I?—

The lock clicks upstairs, causing the hairs along my nape to stand on end.

But the sense of anticipation dies when I see it’s just Tabitha.

She quietly slips into the room, closing the door behind her, and creeps down the stairs like she’s a silent little cat. “You didn’t touch your food.”

I look at her and arch a brow. “Are you here to force me to eat?” It comes out a little harsh, which isn’t my intention. But I’m really over all of this nonsense.

At least the rasp in my voice has disappeared.

Strange, because I didn’t drink anything at all. Yet I actually feel somewhat normal again. Even my stomach has stopped rolling.

Tabitha stares at me. “I think you should at least try the tea.”