The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(68)

He’s gone. He’s really gone.

Revenald homed in on me, an evil smile on his face. “Now for your punishment, Rhiannon Murphy.”

“Bring it, bitch,” I snapped, ready for battle—eager for blood. I watched them take Paine away, staring until he vanished out of sight.

“That’s not nice or polite.”

“Haven’t you heard?” I said slowly, meeting his eyes. “I’m not nice or polite.”

“Don’t be so quick with your tongue. This lesson is one I’ve planned for days, one that will put you under heel once and for all.”

“Go f*ck yourself.” I was playing with fire, but I didn’t care. “Better yet, go f*ck Anton. You two look like you enjoy taking it up the ass.”

I was taken aback when Revenald didn’t frown but smiled instead. “I’m going to enjoy watching that fire inside you turn to ash.” When I narrowed my eyes he said, “I’m going to offer you a gift, servant of mine. When I reveal your punishment, you can beg me to change my mind. Depending on my mood, I may or may not listen.”

“I’ll never beg you for anything.”

“Of course you will,” he said, continuing to smile. “You just don’t know it yet.”

He clapped his hands—in the same manner he had earlier when Victoria entered the room. The door on the opposite side of the ballroom opened and more slaves appeared. I didn’t pay them any attention. The person I wanted a piece of stood to the left of Revenald. I swore to myself that before all was said and done, I’d kill Anton. I’d see him suffer.

“You took the life of Lady Victoria’s brother.” Revenald kept talking and, though I listened, I stared at Anton. “There has to be a penalty for such a crime. After deliberating the matter, I decided that the only justifiable conclusion is an exchange.”

I ripped my gaze from Anton, looking at Revenald. “An exchange?”

It was then that I looked at the group approaching us from the door. It felt as though the floor vanished, no longer under my feet, my bearings unviable. I would have fallen but my knees locked. The walls closed in on me, the ceiling dropping so close it almost touched my head. It was surreal, out of place, and wrong.

So f*cking wrong.

This is nothing but a nightmare, I told myself. Something from the most macabre of dreams. They couldn’t have found her. I’d done everything to prevent it.

Despite that, I still heard myself speak, calling out to her as she neared. “Jenny?”

“Rhiannon?” Jennifer whispered, clothed in the pitiful garments she wore at the mental hospital. “How did I get here? Where am I? What’s going on?”

Her hair was messy, lines of drool dried around her mouth and chin. She seemed confused, disoriented. Her eyes darted around the room, and she didn’t fight the people guiding her toward me, although she scratched at her arms as though invisible objects were brushing against her. I wondered how long she’d been off her medication, how quickly she was descending into darkness.

I started to run for her when a hand wrapped into the hair at my nape, a knee was shoved into my back, and I was thrust to the floor. “You see.” Revenald pressed his face against my neck, speaking into my ear. “It’s only fair—a sister for a brother.”


“No!” I screamed, struggling to break free.

“Yes,” Revenald replied calmly. “You need an incentive to be a productive part of our world. If your sister is a member of it, you’ll fall into line. It’s the perfect solution. After all, there’s no bond stronger than the one you share with family.” As I continued fighting him, whipping my head back and forth so hard that I busted my nose and blood flowed from it, Revenald cooed, “Shh. This is the way it has to be. You’ll see. Flesh of our flesh, blood of our blood.”

“They’ll miss her,” I bluffed, scrambling for an excuse. “They’ll know she’s gone. They’ll search for her.”

“All taken care of,” Revenald replied. “Your mother checked her out of the hospital early this morning. She told the staff she’d hired private help. Pity we had to destroy the old woman before the trip here, but she didn’t serve any purpose. She wouldn’t have survived long in my home, anyway.”

“The girl is mad,” Victoria said from behind us, her distain obvious. “Look at her. She’ll lose all sense of logic. She’ll be uncontrollable.”

“That may be true, but mad or not she is the key to your revenge. Change her, bring her into your fold. My familiar wouldn’t dare act against her own, especially her sister.” Revenald inhaled deeply against my head. “Can’t you smell the fear coming from Rhiannon Murphy? Isn’t it more powerful than killing her quickly? You can ensure she suffers for an eternity. You will govern the life of the person she cherishes most—forever. There is no greater justice I can give you.”

“Please,” I begged, breaking down. “Don’t hurt her. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Of course you’ll do whatever I want,” Revenald whispered mockingly. “That isn’t open for debate. You are mine. You do what I say, when I say it. You don’t eat, sleep, or think without my command.”

“Please,” I repeated, desperate despite his tone. “You don’t have to do this. She hasn’t done anything to you. Let her go. You’re angry at me, not her.”