House of Shadows (Royal Houses 2)

Only council members and family were present for the execution. Father watched impassively from his seat among them. He’d done so well with this one. Exactly as he’d always planned. And soon, it would all come to fruition.

The chamber emptied. The body disposed of. The blood sponged from the floor. And then Isa released from her hiding spot and went in search of Father.

He sat at his study in the heart of the mountain. A king ready to ascend to his throne.

“Father,” she breathed, dipping her head.

“Isa, how did you like the show?”

“Well done,” she said. “It was brilliant. Strategy like I’ve never seen before. The way the pieces just fell into place. Exquisite.”

She had wanted a way out. Her father was manic. He was always one breath away from killing her as easily as he’d played Lorian Van Horn. But his genius was unparalleled. She would rather be in the shadow of genius than dead.

“Good,” he said, reaching into his desk for the Red Mask that hid him from the rest of the world. “It is almost time.”

“Yes, Father.”

“We must prepare for what is coming.”

“How can I help? Shall I kill the girl?”

He glared at her. “Do not lay a hand on Kerrigan Argon,” he snarled. “We have discussed this. She is mine. She belongs to me. If you do anything to jeopardize this, then I will end you in a similar fashion.”

She gulped and stayed stock-still. “As you wish.”

“The girl is at the heart of what is to come. She will lead us to everything we deserve.” He rose to his feet, towering over her small frame and sliding the mask into place. It melded to his face, and his smile turned deadly.

“Yes, Father,” she said, sinking to her feet before him.

Her stomach twisted at his evil genius. She could have gotten out. She could have escaped. He would turn his gaze to her, and then it would all be over. The menace rippling from him only made her cower more. And gods, how she hated cowering.

“Stand, Isa,” he commanded.

She rose to her feet, and he put a hand on her shoulder.

“My time in the shadow is almost over. I want you at my side when we take our rightful place in the world.” He faced the window that overlooked the city of Kinkadia. “It is almost time to cast off this mask.”

Her eyes stared up at the Father in worship. “Yes… Father.”

He flung aside the Red Mask. “Soon, I will no longer have to be Master Bastian. By the end of the summer, this will all be mine.”