Page 110 of Silent Schemes

She doesn’t respond.

Instead, she returns to the crate stage and stands, head high, not looking at anyone.

The guards haul me up and drag me to the center of the room.

I stumble, legs numb, but keep my eyes open.

The steel door at the far end bangs open, and two men enter with a battered gurney.

They slap it down next to me, then force me onto it, chaining my arms and legs to the rails. I’m immobilized, a slab of meat on a tray.

Theodore circles me, a wolf with a sermon. “You thought you could take from me. My city. My legacy. My daughter.” He leans in, face inches from mine. “It’s time I takeeverythingfrom you.”

He gestures to the guards. “Start the feed. Let the world watch him die slow.”

The phone camera goes live.

I see the red dot blinking, the audience already building on whatever shit-tier app they’re using for this.

Theodore raises a fist, dramatic. “Bring the other one.”

Will.

They drag him over, and chain him to the gurney next to me.

He’s barely conscious, eyes rolling back in his skull.

Theodore crouches by his head. “You can die first, if you want. Or you can watch your King die piece by piece. What’s your preference?”

Will mumbles something, but it’s just air and blood.

Theodore stands. “Suit yourself.”

He turns back to Sienna. “Finish it. If you can.”

She hesitates, just for a second.

I see it.

No one else does.

She walks to me, blade still in hand.

She kneels at my side, bends low so only I can hear.

“Twenty minutes. West wall.”

I nod, barely.

She digs the tip of the blade into my forearm, just below the elbow, and slices along the nerve until it blazes fire.

I bite my tongue to keep from screaming.

“Goodbye,” she whispers.

She stands, hands slick with my blood.

Theodore smirks, then walks to the guards. “Leave them to argue about who dies first. Let the King stew in his own mess for a while.”