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Giving me a tender kiss on the lips this time, he pushes open the door, and we enter the cathedral All the Lords are present in the pews dressed in cloaks and masks Ryat leads me to the front row, and I sit down in the same spot I had last time I witnessed him torture someone who tried to destroy my life with him

Ryat makes his way up the stairs, and he walks over to a black sheet that hangs fro what’s behind it—Matt

He’s got his ar His feet are spread wide, chained to the floor, and all he wears are his boxers

He’s covered in blood, and I wonder just what Tyson’s been doing to torture hih to kill hih to fuck him up by the bruises and dried blood on him

Ryat ation “Lords, I find this to be a teaching moment for you all” He starts “This here is a fellow Lord who decided to betray his oath and be disloyal to us”

Matt lifts his head and glares at the back of Ryat’s head

“What is his penalty?” Ryat asks

“Death!” Everyone answers at the sa me jump

“Go ahead” Matt growls, “I won’t say shit!”

A smile spread across Ryat’s face “You don’t have to … but she will”

The sound of a door opening and closing on the second floor fills the large space, and then I see hter,to Ryat His eyes are already on ht Is this why? I thought he was trying to saveto do to Matt, but rew up thinking was my mother

My father brings her to a stop and forces her to her knees She whi up to her, he rerips her hair and yanks her head back “You get one chance to explain yourself,” he says calmly