Half Mad (Sequel to Half Bad)

Chapter 23

✖ Chapter 23 ✖

BANGS ECHOED AROUND the outside of the extravagant ballroom. The walls and ceiling shook, the chandelier composing it's own eerie jingle. Everyone froze, everyone stared—everyone waited.

Instinctively, I tucked my arm around Rose's waist and pulled her behind me. I was all too familiar with the concept of Steal the Enemy's Most Prized Possession. I wasn't fond of the game one bit. It was never amusing nor enjoyable to suffer through. And it had happened far too many times.

Leah stood straighter on the small stage set up for her where she was just about to project a large speech to all her people. But she too was concerned, a perfectly plucked eyebrow arched and her lips curled in distaste. Maybe the impatient trait was hereditary.

Daniel, Jessie, and Aiden stayed as they were, yet positioned to break into action at any moment. I was sure the rest of the room was packed with witches, same as us, if not a few humans sprinkled about. But the humans were mainly the staff, and they had already scurried behind their queen, as instructed to do so. Whether this would be a fight or not, no one knew.

Guards remained at the ready by the door, knees slightly bent and hands outstretched.

The room continued to tremble, indubitably unnerving.

Then all grew silent, not even a cricket to ease the tension.

Just when everyone thought it had all been quite a mistake, the large doors abruptly flew open.

The guards, not prepared for such a thing, stumbled and wavered. A mass of people with hoods hiding their identity took the men out one by one, each a nonentity hero wasted. Panic shrieks stuffed the air instead of the silence, and I couldn't decide which was worse—the deafening silence or the frightened shrills of anxiety bursting at the seams.

Confusing as it was, those were the only people the hidden group massacred. After, they merely stood and stared. Stared and stood. Waited and waited and waited until the silenced were silent once more. I raised my eyebrows, following the train of waiting. Was the moment supposed to drag on for so long?

All at once, the moment ended when the head figure ripped back her hood.

None other than Cecilia Larkin, in the flesh and blood.

Rose, undoubtedly afraid she would try and harm her again, shrank back even more with a wavering breath fleeing her lips. I stood unnaturally taller, blocking Rose from Cecilia's view if nothing else. She wouldn't take her from me again. She wouldn't.

But she wasn't here for her this time.

"Queen Leah," she said mockingly in a faked posh tone, dropping into a dramatic curtsy. "I will admit, your men were much better fighters than I suspected."

Leah gripped the podium in front of her tightly, and I could see her knuckles white even from my distance. "You have no business, nor any rights, being here."

Back-up guards were already filing in behind the group, weapons aimed and faces stern—determined.

Yet Cecilia chuckled. "I am here only to warn you. The return of monarchy will not settle well with many people. I myself, obviously, included in said group."

She took a step forward, but caught a guard stiffen and ready to attack, so she stopped. Continued. "The rebels will rise against the scrutiny placed upon them. You may think you have obtained the perfect solution for perfect equality, but you are wrong. Very wrong. There can never be such thing as equality so long as there are different people.